Under Grumpa's Hat

It starts innocently enough. The calendar says September or October, the mornings are a little cooler, the leaves have begun thinking about changing colour, and somewhere in a marketing department, a grown adult whispers, “Release the pumpkin.” Suddenly, pumpkin spice is everywhere. Coffee. Muffins. Cookies. Doughnuts. Pancakes. Cereal. Protein bars. Candles. Hand soap. Air fresheners.…