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You can smell that fall is in the air

A friend of mine recently exclaimed “Fall is in the air!” Of course last May his herald was “Spring is in the air!”

So I got to thinking about what the air has to do about spring and fall and I believe it is the distinct aroma of the changing seasons that reminds us of times past and what lies ahead. There is something special about sniffing the spring air for the fresh scent of daffodils and green grass after enduring the drab landscape of winter.

Fall also has its promise, especially after a drought that turned my garden into the consistency of adobe bricks. The spring promise of a garden ripe with luscious tomatoes turned out to be a false promise.

Now I just think about better success for next year. This year instead of harvesting our own homegrown produce we will probably spend time checking out the offerings at the Rogers Sale.

But fall has also meant much to me as I remember my youth as a hunter. Those were special days spent with my dad.

We had no deer or turkeys to hunt in Ohio so for me the scent of fall was the spicy aroma of old orchards and a tired wet dog sleeping contentedly against a car heater. After trudging though corn stubble, calf high weeds, prickly briers, and swamps the dogs and I were both worn out and ready for a nap.

It amazes me that the scent of spring and fall alert me to the changing seasons, because I’ve been olfactory challenged since I was a child and a near fatal attack of sinusitis hit me and almost ended all my dreams, and those of my parents. But I survived and the scents I smell on the wind might be a little subtle I do enjoy it when either spring or fall is in the air.

As we all inhale the scent of fall we are aware that it is a harbinger of winter to come, and no one can predict if we will have a mild winter, or one filled with freezing days and snow.

I saw both an almost total white and an almost total black wooly worm the other day so I have no idea what to predict for the winter of 2020-21.

But, whatever Old Man Winter sends our way I’m sure we will all find ways to deal with it. As for me I hope to get in a few more days of fishing before the lake is lowered for winter.

Once the Barbie J, my fishing pontoon, is safe on her trailer, she will be scrubbed clean to be ready for next spring. Barb insists on cleaning it, and while I grumble about the extra work I’m always happy when spring comes and I can be out in the boat and fishing with little effort. Barb always seems to do the right thing. No wonder I named my boat after her.

Of course not everything about winter is dreary. There will be many days when a clean white snow will decorate the barren trees and be almost as beautiful as when the spring flowers burst forth. However spring flowers, unlike snow and ice, are not likely to cause slippery sidewalks and roads.

Right now fall is just a hint in the air and winter seems far away so let’s take it all in order. Soon you will sniff the air and warm aromas of roast turkey and fresh baked pumpkin pies will drift out of the kitchen and there will be the sweet scent of pine as the holidays arrive with all their festivities. Then as 2020 ends we will welcome 2021 with all the magic that we hope it will hold.

As I have done for decades I will do my best to use each season and each day the Lord gives me, so I am happy fall is in the air, because I know that the seasons each follow the others and the world goes on. Besides I now there will be a time when I can again smell spring in the air.

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