The Cubs' 6-3 loss to Rochester signals not only the end of the team’s state tournament run, but something much more ominous – summer’s final stretch.

Not convinced? How about this week’s cool weather? You don’t even need air conditioning.

Are you listening? Of course the leaves are still green. But they’re a “tired” green. The type of green that isn’t long for this world. You can almost see the golds and oranges bursting out.

Not persuaded? How about the Minnesota State Fair starting today? Yes. Today. No, not the county fair, that’s already gone.

Will you put your head on your shoulders? Carver’s Steamboat Days is Sept. 10-12 – just around the corner.

Yes, Steamboat Days.

River City Days? That was a month ago! For goodness sakes, crawl out of your hole.

What does it take to convince you? You can hear the whining bagpipes and the piercing lutes shooting across the Minnesota River from the Renaissance Festival.

Denial. You are living in absolute, 100 percent denial.

Accept it! Man-o-live, we are already obsessing about the Vikings. That means summer is almost over!

Look at your calendar, autumn begins in just a few weeks. The stores are already dragging out Christmas decorations.

Jiminy Cricket! Politicians are already insulating our homes with brochures.

Oh, for the love of … You can practically hear the snow falling.

Forget it. You’re hopeless.