Hurricane Irene is due to come knocking on our door in a couple of days. The moon is not visible, the tides are high, the summer is nearing its end and it is back to school time. The approach of fall has always signified change. A new year at school. Different teachers. Different schedules. A backward glance and thoughts of “where did the years summer go?” And once again, an empty nest. I can already feel the winds changing and know that all of the things I once could depend on when fall approached will somehow become unpredictable now. Time to focus on gathering the batteries, the water, and keeping the first aid kit nearby just in case. I will not fear the unknown because I have practiced this routine many times.