I love this time of the year!

Autumn arrived last week. The autumnal equinox occurred and once again we’re entering into the best time of the year to live in Neosho. I’ve got my favorite trees staked out. So far no changes on the Maples in front of the First Christian Church where members of the congregation are doing what
they do each fall, churning out impressive numbers of apple pies.

Fall sports are in full swing. It’s warm enough to enjoy the start of the game in shirt-sleeves and just perfectly suited to carrying along a light jacket.

Craft shows and festivals are in every surrounding community. The best thing about craft shows, in my opinion, is that they always have kettle corn. I’m not crafty nor do I have any more room in my house for more stuff, but I love going and looking, admiring the ability of others to create something beautiful, useful or both.

Wisely or in another serious act of self-loathing I have once again embarked on a serious round of dieting. What was I thinking? It’s the wrong time of the year to start that! I’m all about the pumpkin shakes, the pumpkin pie and more importantly the pumpkin donuts at the Donut House. It’s obviously a culinary oversight that pumpkin flavor isn’t enjoyed year-round, after all bacon is trendy and found in everything from desserts to drinks. Pumpkin is just as worthy. So I consider it self-preservation that I’m committed to saying no to all things pumpkin along with the funnel cakes and caramel apples.

I asked my photographer friend Julie and she agrees that the outside light looks better in September. The grass and trees sparkle. The blue of the sky is bluer. Vibrancy outside now hints at the changing leaf colors around the corner.A lot of folks like to live in climates where it’s perpetually spring or early summer. Not me. I’ll take the gamble of a snow-filled winter and a scorching summer for the brief autumn splendor that’s found here at home.