Darlene Wofford's Newsroom

It was brought to my attention by a newly acquired friend on MySpace from Washington State that Saturday, September 22nd was the last day of summer.   In recognition of the first day of a new season she emailed asking my favorite things about “autumn.”  My first response was WHERE the HECK did SUMMER go?  My mother always told me time would go by faster as I got older, and it not only goes by faster—it’s a dadburn BLURRR!!  Makes me wonder if MyFoxAtlanta friend, Gabe Newman knows whether there is a scientific reasoning to back that theory, or if it is just a mystical fact of life.  Anyway, autumn is my FAVORITE time of the year, but, of course, we call it "fall" down here in Georgia.  Don't recall hearing many folks refer to it as "autumn" much at all around here...that is, unless they're what we call "transplants" from other parts of the country.  I guess if my friend Edie May, says yesterday was the first day of autumn way over and up there in her neck of the woods, it was also the first day of "fall" down here in the South. Sure didn't seem like it yesterday OR today in Acworth. The temperature approached the 90 degree mark and the humidity has been so thick we could cut it with a fork (don’t even need a knife)!  

Carl and I were out T-birding enjoying the beautiful day and I can tell you without hesitation, fall is OUR favorite time of year. To me it means the most vivid blue skies and a sense of cleanliness in the soft fresh breezes that carry the leaves from their branches to their final resting place around the yard. There was a time long ago passed that I had a feeling of excitement rush over me during this time of year, as I knew my birthday would be coming soon. Alas, my birthday still comes every year around this time, (October 12th to be precise), but that excitement of long ago has waned to a sigh and more of a mere acknowledgement that another birthday is better than the alternative. Then I remind myself of all the many blessings Carl and I have shared over the past 40+ years and how much MORE there is for me to do before I check out of Life's Hotel for good.

Some people consider autumn or fall as the season when trees lose their leaves and prepare for dormancy-- an END to the fun of summer—whereas spring is considered the season for new growth and beginnings. As the old saying goes, 'there is a reason for every season', I believe the reasons to enjoy autumn/fall are many, including the end to Daylight Saving Time as we fall back an hour, thus getting more sleep. I for one could ALWAYS use more sleep! We usually leave Daylight Saving Time behind us the weekend before Halloween, but this year we’re not changing over until the first weekend in November.  Carl says it goes along with the theory that longer days contribute to global warning, but you’ll need to ask Fox 5’s Ken Cook or Jeff Hill about that one.  (grin)   Speaking of Halloween, if not for October, when would the little witches and hobgoblins go trick-or-treating? And don't forget Thanksgiving is in autumn/fall, when we gather together with family and friends in the spirit of love and give thanks. Come to think of it, I'm just thankful to still be around to enjoy this time of year, so bottom line--autumn/fall means loving and living life, whether it's sitting in here alone at my puter or T-birding with Carl down the road with the top back!  If you see a blur before your eyes, it’s either us going down the road in our little T-bird living it up…or the blur just might be life in general, if you’re over 35 and counting!  Make the most of it and keep moving forward!

Just call me Dah’ling, The Spirited Southerner!

www.darlenewofford.com