Autumn

It was deeply imprinted in my youth, this love of the autumn season.  Come October, the crops had all been harvested on the Minnesota farm.  Birthing and shearing and numerous other livestock-care tasks were completed.  It meant that the frenzied 12-hour days of sweat and grime were over for a while.
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That's not all it meant, though.  The first frost came along and the plague of mosquitoes and flies went away.  The hot sticky weather ended and the outdoors became a place to enjoy rather than endure. We launched into glorious fall colors of oaks and maples and sumacs.  It meant hunting season had arrived - spending enjoyable hours tromping through the woods and fields in search of squirrels or game birds to grace the dinner table.  It meant going back to school and spending time with friends and classmates seldom if ever seen in summer months.
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And it meant food - which is what inspired me to draft this.  In autumn, images of rich fragrant stews and pot roasts come to mind and have me salivating in true Pavlovian fashion.  Back in the day, most produce was only available in season; come fall, there were fresh apples, oranges and other fruits to enjoy.  And, of course, there was Thanksgiving, the favorite American holiday.  Yes, that annual feast tends to be a gross overindulgence.  But it still has that great feel to it, the feel that comes from knowing the hard work is done, the harvest was good and family will be gathering to enjoy the bounty - and each other.
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Happy Thanksgiving everybody!  I have much to be thankful for and I hope you have also.