I suffer with all kinds of allergies this time of year but they seem so insignificant in comparison to the beauty that surrounds us. Thank goodness for benedryl! It’s too early to detect the changing of colors in the leaves, but the scent of the air has already changed. It’s cool. It’s crisp. The days seem much clearer than during the heat of summer. And, the animals are showing signs of getting a little frisky. When I take Boo for a walk, I have begun to notice that she has happy feet.
The humidity has begun the slow decline, but it has dropped enough to take a walk without coming home wet from head to toe. I’m not a particular fan of sweat. Oh, I know it would sound better to talk about perspiration rather than sweat. But, if you live in the South that is making light of the situation. Humidity around here during the summer most often equals or exceeds the temperature. But, once fall descends upon us, humidity seems to dissipate and we find ourselves in the comfort zone. We can enjoy the warmth of the sun’s rays without the clammy wetness that accompanies the summer sun.
There is excitement in the air. We all seem to adopt an energy that is like a rush of adrenaline. It comes on strong. We walk with a briskness that is uncommon during the summer. We smile more and laugh a little louder. Of course, we are lucky here where I live. Winter won’t descend on us until late January. Oh, we will have a few nights that are cold before January. And, we will be forced to pull out our sweaters by the end of October. But, the bitter cold of winter won’t sneak in until January. Our extended autumns make for wonderful days and nights.
It’s time for all the fall fairs to begin. Again, we are lucky to live where we do. Each weekend for the next six to eight weeks will deliver a fair of some sort. There will be the pottery fair, where all the local potters come out and display their creations. We do have some terrific potters in the area, many of whom have received national recognition. Then there will be the other craft fairs. Woodworking… Art… Antiques… And, let’s not forget the indulgences that come with these fairs. Funnel cakes topped with outrageously delicious fruits, whipped creams and powdered sugar will keep all of us on a sugar high for days.
We also have a Sunday market downtown. Each week there is a different theme and a different group of people playing their music. There will be glass blowers selling their beautifully delicate creations. Photographers will have some of the most beautiful pictures on display. My favorite is the folk art. It’s just amazing to see the quality of folk art created by a homeless man with only a piece of cardboard and a few paints he has inherited from another painter. There will be food and fun for everyone.
The local truck farmers and organic growers will fill one end of the market with fall vegetables. I love to go with Happy to the market. We always manage to find a new variety of something for her greenhouse.
The best part of the wonders of all along our mountain ridge is that you can spend a small fortune on the artists’ best or you can wander aimlessly for free and enjoy everything your eyes can take in.
It is a wonderful time of year even if I do sneeze once in a while. Days are filled with “doings” and nights wrap us in cool air that makes sleep a treasure. I am so very thankful for fall.
