Hey! Mother Nature! How About a Hot Flash!

I went to bed last night ready to sleep well and take the world by the horns today.  Mother Nature had something else in mind.  This is what I woke up to...

It's October...  My favorite month of the year.  Because I love fall...  Do you see fall anywhere in that picture?  Am I missing something?  Someone throw me a freaking bone here.

Little Buddy's mom dropped him off at 7:00 this morning with a permission slip for his very first Kindegarten field trip.  They're supposed to go to the pumpkin patch.  Have you ever gone to the pumpkin patch on a snowy day?  Little Buddy is totally getting hosed.

Needless to say, my visions of productivity were shot to hell.  There will be no opening of windows and allowing brisk fall air to freshen up the stale smell of my home that has been deep in the clutches of The Sickness for the past week.  I had to turn on the heat.  And the only thing I've managed to accomplish today is unloading the dishwasher.....

I'm working tonight at the bar, so I guess I'll try again tomorrow.  Sigh...

Time to Bust Out the Warm Stuff

Fall is my favorite time of year.  There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

As the air gets cooler and the leaves start to change, the world around takes on a whole new presence.  I love the way the air smells, and the crunch and crackle of leaves under my feet.

The colors of the fall flowers and foliage are warm and inviting.  Sitting outside in a sweatshirt, hat, and gloves with a hot latte watching youth football or soccer is one of the best feelings!  Fall is also an amazing time to travel.  In my lifetime, I have been blessed to see many parts of our country in the fall.  I have seen Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachussets, Iowa, South Dakota, and of course, all parts of beautiful Minnesota.  While northern Minnesota and Wisconsin are beautiful, nothing beats the Catskill Mountains in the fall!

All Souls Church, Tannersville, NY

View from All Souls' front step

Climbing the trail to Kaaterskill Falls

Kaaterskill Falls, NY

I'm not sure if, when, or where I will be taking my fall trip this year.  Last year was Duluth, MN.  This year may bring Seattle.  I've never been to the Pacific Northwest.  If I go, there are sure to be pictures.

In the meantime, I am content in knowing I have an NFL football game to go to with longtime friends, apple orchard visits (complete with homemade applesauce, apple crisp, and apple pie), and the Trail of Terror!  Not to mention Trick or Treating with my kids and a Halloween costume party with my friends!  Really, what is there not to love about fall?