It was the opening of deer season this weekend, and after a day with no luck and a lot of heat from the sun, we took a tractor drive. I was struck by the seasons that surround us. Because of so much heavy rain in September, many fields of wheat had to be re-drilled and those little wheat sprouts are finally coming up and working hard to catch up to the plants who made through the hard crust after the first drilling. Stretching toward the warm sun, it felt like I could see the wheat growing.

Contrast to those long green fields are the drying stands of corn. Combines are finally beginning to pick the tall rows, when in a normal year they’d be half done by now. Even so, farmers are picking around trying to find a blend so the corn is dry enough to store. Harvest may go on toward Thanksgiving, depending on the weather. I’ve run the grain cart on Thanksgiving Day and it was a wonderful way to remember to give thanks for all that we have.

It was crisp here this morning with fall definite in the air. When I got back from my run, I switched out my short sleeve for a long sleeve to hang with my running gear, and dug out my long handles to have under my running pants. Tonight’s low is forecast to be around 30 and it’s been a while since I’ve run in anything under 40! Of course, it makes that hot coffee all the sweeter when I get back.