It’s that time of year again.
In the morning, you turn the heat on in the house to get the “nip” out of the air. Then in the afternoon, you turn on the air conditioning to cool things off a bit.
In the morning, you put on a coat when you leave for work. Then when you get home in the afternoon, you’re down to a T-shirt.
And of course, the leaves start flying around in breezy conditions on their way to creating a complete blanket on the ground in any forested area. In my case, I find myself using the leaf blower on the back deck on pretty much a daily basis. It just looks better without mass leaves and sticks all over it, you know?
Yep, it’s fall; that time of year when it can be heard to figure out how to dress and when nature takes control in a way in a manner unlike any other time of year.
Call it autumn, if you wish, because this post-summer, pre-winter period has two names for some reason. That’s a whole other subject that I’ve touched on previously in this series.
But honestly, I’m like many other people who consider fall their favorite time of year. The crisp, cool air containing minimal amounts of humidity is such a blessing, and the landscape takes on a beautifully raw and rustic look that’s always easy on the eye.
Animals seem to appreciate fall, too. Around our property high above the Big Piney River, there’s a lot more bird activity, several species of nonvenomous snakes are more readily out and about, and deer can be seen moving back and forth with more regularity. And Scotty (the Scottie) gets more enjoyment out of lying around on the lawn or cement walkway because the temperature isn’t blazing hot or freezing cold.
Anyway, it won’t be long before wood is burning in our fireplace, temperatures dip into the single digits and weather forecasts include phrases like “wind chill” and words like “accumulation.” That’s also part of the program in the Ozarks, where all four seasons take turns being obvious on an annual basis.
But for now, residents of the region get to enjoy a break from oppressive heat and don’t yet have to manage life in a frozen environment.
It’s a great time to take a dog or a child (or both) for a walk, move a tree from one side of the yard to the other, or do almost anything that involves getting outside, because you can be confident that after two minutes you won’t be dripping with sweat or have frost clinging to your nose hair.
Unfortunately, the leaf storm that’s soon to happen in our tree-infested neck of the woods will require a ton of raking and maybe some burning. But I must say, even that isn’t all bad due to the state of the prevailing climate.
Whether you refer to it as fall or autumn, it’s just a pleasant season.
Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald. Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.