The Feel-Good Season

I love this time of year. I love the holidays. Halloween - and if you've read my blog at ALL you already know this - is a particular favorite. Thanksgiving is loads of fun, too. I love the back-to-routine that school brings before we get sick of the routine. But the weather. Oh, the weather. Nothing feels better to me than sleeping in a cold room with open windows all snuggled down in warm covers. The brisk mornings and evenings invigorate. The warm, sunny afternoons with that underlying cool makes the senses awaken. Even the animals are friskier. We've shed the heat and oppressive humidity of summer and the freshening air is like an awakening to me.

We're experiencing gorgeous color this year. Our area of the country is not one of those that draws leaf peepers. But this year, it could. The range of colors from still-green to nearly burgundy defies description. The leaves fall from trees like vibrantly-colored rain and swirl along behind passing cars like botanical confetti. It makes one just want to stand outside, eyes closed, face to the sun and say, "Thank you, God."