October!

Notwithstanding the autumnal equinox was several days ago, my mind pretty much associates the beginning of fall with the start of October.

But for what inevitably ensues, fall would be my favorite season. The aromas, the colors, the nip in the air in the mornings, yet followed by crisp and sunny days, provide a palette of sensations that is without peer.

And harvest time provides a promise of plentiful provender for man and beast.

In the past, the sadness evoked by the loss of leaves from the trees was tempered by the joys of raking those leaves into huge piles, then leaping into them, frolicking with the kids-- or even without them when they were grown and gone from home. Yes, I am still just a big kid. Then reassembling the piles and igniting them brought forth one of fall's greatest pleasures, the odor of burning leaves! Well, we can't do that anymore. One of these days, the powers that be will legislate all our fun away. And don't give me a lecture about pc behaviors.

Bringing in the winter squash, including pumpkins [which are squash, like it or not], or going to Farmer John's punkin patch to select a couple of choice pie fruit and, of course, the all-important
jack-o'-lanterns to-be, is a chore that is much more fun than it is work.

I'm not about to tell you how to make the vicious-looking decorations. Some people use 'magic markers,' but I'm a traditionalist. Carve those rascals! Put a candle inside! But doing that with four kids was a definite hoopla in itself. Meanwhile, someone in the kitchen is making pie-crust. Whoot-whoo!

The chrysanthemums and asters are providing the blossoms where the impatiens and vinca may have failed due to an early-season frost, though there are many autumn seasons in which this doesn't happen until quite late. Some years, the roses even continue to bloom well into December.

And if a little snow flies in October, it merely reminds us to hasten the preparations for the residency in South Texas over the winter months!