You can count the weeks and months by the changes in the fireweed as it starts coming up in spring, blooms and fluffs during summer and its final stages in autumn when the leaves change color.
It did not fluff much this year because of all the rain, the fluffy is the white fibrous stuff that carries the seeds. The weeds will also come back next spring via the tuberous roots.
A loose leaf was brought into the house for further photos.
@daveks