Sitting out on the front porch these past two weeks I’ve begun to notice the look of fall every morning. Sadly, so far at least, it’s just a look…Not a feel. And truthfully, the look lasts all day…Most days anyway. I’m sure you’ve noticed it yourself. It’s that hazy, near distance gauze between you and the trees down the road. It affects the light, the mood, the feel of the days. We are working our way toward fall…

But here at least, looks withstanding, it is still summer. Though the worst of the summer heat is over, summer itself hasn’t faded completely.

Last evening there was a large thunderstorm 30 or so miles to our west. No rain fell here. But, the clouds were so high that by 5:30pm we were in the shade. Sherry and I were able to sit out for about a half an hour and enjoy the slight breeze in the backyard. The temperature was in the upper 80’s, but with the breeze and the clouds way to our west, we weren’t too uncomfortable…At least, until the ants started trying to climb up Sherry’s leg.

Missing The Mountains

One of the things that is on my mind a lot going into this fall is the fact that it has now been almost three years since I last set foot in the Appalachian Mountains. I am beginning to feel a little deprived. Even our trip through the northwest corner of Arkansas didn’t quite ease the melancholy I feel when too long from the mountains I’ve come to love.

I need to start planning a trip soon or I may just explode from the lack of topographical variety.