Why is it that most everything that it the ‘right’ or ‘best’ thing to do, is always the thing that is the most demanding? I’ve recently determined to implement some lifestyle changes that would be beneficial for the healthy preservation of this earthly tent and human organism. I spent an hour and a half in the kitchen tonight washing, cutting, sorting and preparing fresh veggies, fruits and melons for healthy meals and snacks to take to work tomorrow. Dear Lord, it would be so much simpler, less expensive and less time consuming to buy junk food from the vending machines. And why the heck is it that the older and wiser we get, the harder we have to work at keeping our human equipment properly maintained, that we may enjoy the fruits of our accumulated wisdom?!

On a more positive and less whiney note...I have been contemplating the simple pleasures of the season this evening. I have a peculiarly passionate love for the fall season. As with most everything, I’ve tried many times to analyze that, but have come to no satisfactory conclusion as yet. For me, there is just nothing to compare to living in the country and close to the earth. I once dated an Italian from New Jersey who was extremely discomforted by how ‘dark and QUIET’ it is at night in the country here. It’s anything BUT quiet at night in the country, except during the coldest days of winter, but I guess frogs and crickets don’t have the same soothing effect as automobiles and horns and shouting and sirens, etc. -- thank God.

A country fall is crisp, cool breezes and brightly colored leaves falling from everywhere like snow -- it’s the rustle of dried leaves as pets and children run and play and bury themselves in deep piles of leaves -- it’s the smell of burning leaves and brush as neighbors and farmers clear fallen limbs from yards and pastures. Fall air feels cleaner somehow. Our mares are especially frisky and flirty as their hormones and estrus cycles begin to wind down for the coming winter months -- every deep fall shadow, every gust of falling leaves, and every rustle of leaves beneath the brush is a valid excuse for a silly spook or playful buck. Colorful gourds, pumpkins, ghosts and turkeys, scarecrows and wagons adorned with bales of straw and seasonal decorations abound and there is an excited anticipation of the coming feasts that accompany the holiday season. Summer’s continuous chorus of singing frogs is replaced by an equally large and varied assortment of chirping crickets -- I wonder where the frogs go when it’s cold? I KNOW where the crickets go -- they snuggle up in our basement, garage and crawl space. And oh how my cats love to ‘play’ with crickets and grandaddy longlegs spiders seeking refuge from the cold nights -- it’s impossible to walk anywhere in my end of the house without having to step over numerous cricket and spider carcasses.

I LOVE FALL in the country. But must turn in for some sleep tonight, as I’m sure I’ll be up rather late tomorrow watching the polls! I think I will take my folding lawn chair with me, and a good book, so the stand in line will be a little more comfortable -- the last time we had an election here I stood in line for an hour and a half -- it felt more like 4 hours. I’m going PREPARED tomorrow! My grandson is out of school for the elections tomorrow -- I’m so jealous. I KNEW I should’ve been a teacher...