FALL IS COMING!!!!

There are definite signs in the air that fall is approaching-maybe not rapidly-but in the normal Louisiana creeping around the corner-just when you have given up hope manner! The Weatherman announced today that Sunday is the first official day of Fall, but I have been noticing the signs approaching for a couple of weeks. Today when I walked out at 5:15 to go for my walk-there was this surprising nip in the air. My car thermometer showed 58 degrees out in the country before getting to town, but it was in the low 60's in town. SO LOVELY-after days of sweltering mornings-even at that time of the morning. The amazing thing is the 90 degrees it can get before the day is over.

The acorns are beginning to rain down on the roof. It makes a little thump, really barely noticeable, but it can become a chorus of thumps on a windy day. The drive, walk, and decks are littered with acorns and pine cones. Many of the pine cones are only the remaining spine-after the squirrels have eaten the rest of it. The squirrels are busy fueling up and storing away for the days to come. They really do not have to do that at our house in Vienna, since they eat the bird feed I put out in GREAT quantities. I can not seem to find a variety that they don't relish!

There are some trees beginning to turn. The sweet gums are always the first to turn and then a slow progression of types turn every conceivable fall color-orange-golden-yellow-red-----. You will look up and notice the end of one limb that has turned one day and before you know it there is a blaze of color. The wonderful thing about the leaves out in the country is that I just rearrange them, moving them further out in the woods to reclaim the space right by our house.

All of these wonderful colors are framed by the most beautiful blue sky that today does not have one cloud in it. The blue of the sky changes with the seasons-but fall's blue is something to behold!

AH FALL! I hear it coming and I anxiously await its crescendo!

Walked 5 this AM with Sandra. We have lost our troops by the end of the week. Larry did not even bother to ask what we were doing today. It does get more and more difficult to get up in the dark as the week goes on.