Happily Welcoming Fall

I never really realized how much I enjoy Fall until this year. Until it quietly snuck up on me. Suddenly, slowly, the leaves start turning lovely shades of candy apple red, golden yellow and burnt orange. Then they fall to the ground and create one of the most amazing mosaics I've ever seen. And although the trees are left stripped and bare, I think they still stand so beautifully elegant.
As I stepped out onto my back porch this early October morning to let Deez do his doggy business, I was caught off guard about how much I enjoy simple things. I’ve always considered myself to be over-complicated and ridiculous. But I think its because I never take the time to look at what really makes me happy.
So as I stood inhaling the cold sweet scent of the wet earth, I came to the realization that simple things make me happy. Things that we all tend to take for granted. Things like the smell after it rains and the beauty of an overcast morning. The quiet plop, plop, plop of water dripping from the deck to the cement below. Today I even enjoyed the clinking of Diesel’s dog tags as he ran across the backyard. I humored him today and let him have his standoff with the unknown creature that lurks underneath the shed. And I just stood on the back step and enjoyed the cool rough texture of the cement under my bare feet. I enjoyed the cold fresh air in my lungs. With each breath I took I greedily inhaled deeply as if I were afraid that one day such clean, natural air wouldn’t exist. I carefully examined our backyard and found many things I’d like to capture in a picture so I can always remember it that way.
So this morning, before work, before the chaos and the stress settle in, I am going to enjoy Fall. I am going to spend the entire morning in the backyard with Diesel and take pictures. I am going to enjoy nature. And maybe have a cup of hot apple cider before work.

Mmmmm, I love Fall.