The weather seems to have skipped a month as the oppressive heat of summer fades into the past, and that’s OK with me. Unfortunately, the last days of summer also bring us to the most rapid loss of daylight of the year. The autumnal equinox — midway between the summer and winter solstices — may be weeks away, but we’re closing in fast.

In September, Springfield loses more than two minutes and 45 seconds of daylight every day, amounting to one hour and 20 minutes total. Imagine the effects on those living before such modern comforts as dependably heated homes and electric lights — buffers against nature we take for granted today.

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