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The days of summer fun are over at the wineries. All the grapes have been picked and crushed and their juice is getting busy in the barrels - letting the aging process take over. But, before the season is over, Mother Nature has one last spectacular act in store for us. Like the last five minutes of a fireworks display where the best is saved for last, the vineyards have burst into flaming colors of red, gold and orange. As if to self-ignite themselves, the leaves that have nourished the grapes all summer long, are going out in a blaze of glory.

It’s next to me, the textured binding is tattered, the stamped, indented cover title “Willie” on the orange background has scribbled black crayon on it courtesy of my younger brother – boy I was mad about that at the time. But now, it’s just added to the history. Inside the jacket cover in my mother’s practically perfect in every way handwriting are my name, 5 Maple Ave. and phone, 325-9211. The book came to me as a birthday or Christmas present in 1966. It’s a first edition, and through the care of my mother who boxed it when I flew from the nest for college and beyond, it survived.

No sooner did South County finally get out of the news as a hotbed of bigotry – after the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved a much-protested proposal for a Muslim worship center in San Martin moved that story out of the spotlight – than we landed right back in the same predicament, thanks to Blake Lebeck.

A saint, from the Latin word for “holy,” is a person recognized for a life of great virtue. Although originally a word used in Christianity, scholars say most world religions have terms for comparable historical figures.

Envision meeting with the great Sigmund Freud to discuss the joy of love, the purpose of sex, the existence of God and the meaning of life. Two fine actors bring the words of Mark St. Germain to realization in this clever piece taken from Dr. Armand M. Nicholi Jr.’s bestselling book, “The Question of God.”

Downtown Morgan Hill holds an annual “Safe Trick or Treat Night” that has grown into one of the most popular Halloween events in the South Valley. Several blocks of Monterey Street are closed-off to vehicle traffic, and downtown merchants and other groups come out to give candy to about 3,000 youngsters guided by their parents. MHAT-19’s volunteers will be part of the Halloween sweet treat give-away on Oct. 31. If you happen to be there, please stop by and say “Boo!” to our crew.

Halloween season is upon us and timing is, as they say, everything. Gracie and Emily, my 5- and 3-year-old granddaughters, are all over the holiday. The spookier, the better. Grandson Charlie, age 2 1/2 years, not so much.

Some of you sent in your “favorite pet story” in response to our last column. I gotta say, your pet tales really stirred our emotions and reminded us why we love our pets so much.

Not all real estate agents are the same. If you decide to seek the help of an agent when selling or buying your home, you need good information before you make any moves.