It really does feel like time flies, especially when transitioning from the height of summer right into autumn. The shift from July to October marks a major change in seasons. As of now, one has officially entered full fall territory.
There are those who are ecstatic with the crisp new days of autumn and the occasional scent of woodsmoke in the air. There are those who loathe to let summer go, saying it had been the best summer of all times.
But no one can hold on to summer once the trees begin to turn on their spectacular colors. Once the show begins, even the summer die-hards give up and welcome the great spectacular mountain autumn scenes.
Very soon, the leaves will be turning and the show will begin. The regimental march will herald the season. Maples will be on fire, oaks will be russet and gold in color, and fat persimmons will take on the look of melted gold, waiting for frost to turn their bitter flesh to honey. Sassafras, dogwood, poplars, and redbud will be torched by the autumn brazen fire…displaying their colorful tapestry along every ridge and hogback, in every valley and gorge.
Very soon, the air will be miraculously devoid of humidity with the snap and crackle ring in the air. Autumn is a time of beauty, of harvesting and of shedding the old.
The joys of fall truly saturate every sense. One’s eyes take in the vibrant reds, oranges, yellows and waning greens of the trees. One’s nose inhales the clean, fresh air mixed with the scents of newly-lit fireplaces and warming foods.
One’s body feels the soft comfort of longer pants, tops, loose scarves and shoes. The flavors of fall both excite and soothe the taste buds.
Shadows will stretch longer and darker, shorter daylight bringing on early sunsets, all readying for the autumn/winter months.
So, sit back and enjoy what will be unfolding right before one’s eyes. Nature will be directing the chorus line of colors for each one of the readers to bask in those delights.
Life’s little instructions include the following:
1. Avoid unnecessary meetings.
2. Be faithful.
3. Be humble.
4. Avoid junk food.
5. Sing a song.
Both Sunday and Monday mornings hit the 28-degree mark. Quite a difference from the balmy 85 degrees. The frosts hushed the landscape (being the most breathtakingly beautiful landscape) and everything appeared innocent again.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“How bravely autumn paints upon the sky the gorgeous fame of summer which is fled.” — Thomas Hood
“Think well of all, be patient with all, and try to find the good in all.” — Muhammad Ali
“If you think about it, everything we do in life is set to some kind of music.” — Peabo Bryson
“It is in giving that I connect with others, with the world, and with the divine.” — Isabel Allende
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” — Emily Brontë
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•Butterflies taste with their feet.
•The Basenji, a small dog from Africa, has no bark.
•The United States president with the largest family was John Tyler with 15 children.
•Kangaroos can jump 40 feet at a time.
•Each of the camel’s eyes has three eyelids — two to keep out sand and one to wipe off dust.
Sitting by the fireplace is the best place to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Charles and Pidge Anderson’s grandsons, Charles and James Anderson, along with Vera Taylor and Okley Dawn, great granddaughter, spent several days with them. They were from Princeton, Kentucky. Frank Wright did a good deed by helping Joe repair the porch and house. This was where the tree fell from the storm. Charles has a trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, this week to see his surgeon.
Good to hear that Tom Mitchell is at the Pendleton Manor to receive therapy, following open heart bypass surgery.
The chicken and ham potpie dinner seemed to be very much enjoyed by the community. St. John Lutheran had theirs two weeks ago, and St. Paul Independent Lutheran Church had theirs Sunday.
Ruben and Krista Nieves of Boca Raton, Florida, are spending two weeks visiting Krista’s parents, Willard and Judy Rader. Ruben, Krista and Judy visited Sunday with Benny and Linda Custer at Verona, Virginia, and enjoyed a delicious meal. Bill and Charlene Rader of Plantation, Florida, are spending some time at the Rader home place in Sugar Grove.
The senior citizens enjoyed a bus trip this past Friday to the Natural Bridge Safari Park. From this community, Rose Brackman and Evelyn Varner took in the tour.
Janet Judy and Terry Harper were Sunday afternoon visitors of Evelyn Varner.
Wanda Pitsenbarger and Evelyn Varner recently visited with Cleo Simmons of Staunton, Virginia.
Having celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 22, Jimmy and Linda Rexrode celebrated again with the public enjoying an open house with light refreshments on Sunday at the Harold Miller Ruritan Building in Oak Flat.
Birthdays for the remainder of the month include Ann Thompson, 16th; Sharon Crider, Jessica Parker, Tonya Simon and Grace Hammer, 17th; Jenny Rogers, Ruth Nelson, Terry Godfrey and Duane Borror, 18th; Betty Lou McGahey and Kenneth Morris, 19th; Vonda Borror and Karen Schulz, 21st; Angie Propst, Gary McDonald, and Cindy Puffenbdarger, 23rd; Shelby Bible, 24th; Teresa Evick, 26th; Logan Fisher, 27th; Teresa Bowers and Jim Brown, 28th; Mike Simmons, 29th; Debbie Propst, Dottie Mitchell and Sue Sponaugle, 30th; and Judy R. Rexrode and Chris Wilburn, 31st.
Concerns are for Roger and Joan Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, Laramie Botkin, “Bo” Boggs, Cappy and Letha Caplinger, Glenn Dahmer, Stanley Dahmer, Clinton Eye, Isaac Eye, Brenda Fisher, Carl Gant, Sue Hall, Clyde Hamilton, Grace Hammer, Chip Harper, Armanda Heavner, Starr Hedrick, Bob Hoops, Keith Hoover, Mickey Huffman, Cynthia Hurry, Gary Jamison, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Marsha Keller, Tara Kelley, Carl Kimble, Keith Kimble, Melissa Lambert, Skip and Roger Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Harold Michael, Dennis Mitchell, Dottie Mitchell, Tom Mitchell, Helen Nash, Willa Nelson, Ronald Pitsenbarger, Alda Propst, Eldon Puffenbarger, Willard Rader, Jimmy Rexrode, Robbie Sites, Carolyn Smith, family and friends of Patricia Smith, Kitty and Curtis Waggy Jr., and Edwin Wimer.
