OK, it's autumn. The leaves are falling and being buried on the ground much like summer's promises, which didn't exactly come true. It reminds me of the Seattle Mariners, who after such a promising spring fell to the bottom of the American League West Division to rise no longer. When I first saw the leaves begin to fall outside my window, I took action. I went over and shut the blinds.
So now, we have more lawn care to hassle with each weekend. After all the lawn mowing, edging and gardening last season, it's time for raking, bagging and burning. My plan is to have the brown leaves match the brown ground. I'm in the autumn of my years and color coordination has become my forte.
Life goes on with its ups and downs. We win some, we lose some. It's just what it is. The grass always grows and the leaves always fall. It's our choice how we handle it all.
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I can handle the spring, summer and fall—it's this threat of the cold of winter looming that rocks my boat. I'm not looking forward to shoveling snow, jump starting the 1984 Cadillac Coupe DeVille and paying high heating bills. I hope the mountains are covered with rich white gold for the skiing season while the valleys remain in autumn with roadways clear and dry.
"Well, why don't you just move, you mealy-mouthed, cantankerous little twit," say some of my dearest admirers. "Because right or wrong, this is my home," I shoot back. "And, I have to see the entire year—all four seasons."
Because what if you miss something spectacular just because you can't handle it all? You have to stay through all nine innings at the baseball game because there's always a chance good things might happen. I can't stand it when "fans" give up and exit before the last out is made.
So, I'll be here experiencing yet another winter, more ups and downs, more successes, more failures and—loving it! I hope you will as well.
Nice talking to you.
