Nine twenty three has arrived!  I’m excited as I’ve been waiting for this date all year long.  AUTUMN!

This first day of Autumn was special this year.  It was the day of atonement (Yom Kippur).  This is the highest of holy days in the Jewish calendar.  As a Christian, I thought that it was a good reminder of the amazing grace that we are alive in.  I accidentally fasted but I don’t think it counts.  I managed to avoid eating until the evening because I had a sleep study and had to scurry right to work.  We are blessed immeasurably by the loving, gracious and merciful God!

Autumn is officially here and I am so happy to see the pumpkin everything everywhere.  Today I had a pumpkin latte from McDonald’s.  It was quite good.  In a few weeks we will begin to feel the crisp air, smell the wood burning and, of course, see the leaves changing.  It’s the most wonderful time of the year… for me.

I’m kind of an odd bird.  I get joy about something like a weekend but also (at the same time) get depressed about Sunday night because it leads to Monday morning.  However, it’s not that way with Autumn.  Because as Autumn finishes, the Holidays begin.  When I was younger, I hated the holidays.  But as I’ve gotten older, I find myself actually liking the merriness of Christmas.  Sure, the commercial part is still a challenge.  But the simple merry Christmas Spirit makes me smile despite the sale signs behind it.

I do hope to take some time off of work to shoot pictures of the leaves changing this year.  I’ve been saving my days off in the event that I opted for the back surgery that three doctors have said I need.  But I still can’t bring myself to do that yet.  Besides, the new truck needs a road trip.

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention that nine twenty three also brought a little health baby boy named August born to my friend Tori.  See?  It was a very special day.  Maybe being born on the first day of Autumn and on Yom Kippur makes August a very special baby.

So nine twenty three has arrived!  Bring on the pumpkin, cider, fire pits, road trips, crisp air, apple butter, caramel apples, more pumpkin stuff, pie, more pie and the majesty of God’s creation – nature!

Blessings and Peace,
r