Fall

Having grown up in a California climate that really shows no extremes, I never experienced Fall until I moved to the midwest. My first Fall here was met with uncertainty and dread for the coming cold…so much anticipation about driving in the snow that I think I missed all the beautiful colors that was the show before the blah grey.

Last year I remember perusing craft show to craft show (a common weekend activity for Nebraskans) window shopping all the homemade creations. I dont think I ever bought a single thing, but in my jeans and sweatshirt I watched the leaves blow across the parking lot as I witnessed the community gathering that is a craft fair. I am eagerly anticipating the start of the creative season…

This year, as I complain about having to drive so many miles for my job, I have forgotten what a blessing it is to be able to stare out my windshield and see the beautiful, colorful landscape that I am moving through. I made the trip from Omaha, NE to Watertown, SD (famous for RedlinArt) and back to Sioux Falls, SD for an overnight stay. I clocked a total of 398 miles on my odometer today alone. However, as I passed the cattle, the buffalo (and babies!!), the piggies, the dairy cows…all I could do was notice the amber, crimson and deep green landscape that now covers I-29 N. I wish I would have brought my camera, but it is never as beautiful on film as it is in person. You cant smell the start of burning wood stoves or the crisp air that makes you breathe just a little deeper. With a move to the balmy south seemingly inevitable, I can’t express how much I will miss this time of year.

The fighter planes from the nearby Guard base are rumbling over my hotel and as I look outside I see them streaking over the dark sparkly sky. As much as I have dreaded it in the past, I will miss this weekly South Dakota adventure.

I had to be Sioux Falls for a 9am appt which, is three hours from home which is why I have pictures of this beautiful sunrise!

This time of year all of the little black birds fly from the trees & cornfields in big groups presumably, heading south for the winter.