Memories of another day...thoughts of the present

As long as I can remember, fall has always been my favorite time of the year. As a kid I enjoyed summer and all that came with it just like most kids. As the change of the season brought a chill to the air and color to the leaves, so came a different attitude. Fall really shows off it's splendor in the southern mountains. Hardwoods and bright underbrush often can take your breath away.

I drove over into Ohio this week to an Amish craftsman to make me a set of counter tops. The Ohio river is a geographical separation that's easy to notice. To the west is flat rolling farm lands and to the east the mountains start. Even the color is different. It's easy to see why it's called Almost Heaven. I have stood in the cold waste deep water of the Upper Shavers River and missed way too many hits on a drifting fly because I was distracted by the scenery. There are times I can close my eyes and smell the hot dogs from the concession stand at a Shady football game. I can smell the smoke from burning leaves coming across Beaver Creek and to my side of town. All it takes is a cool crisp morningwith a fog coming off the river, and I start that mental trip down the interstate and home. I'm always anxious for the first fire in the fireplace and those cold gray afternoons in the swing with a cup of coffee. I simply close my eyes and drift to Little Beaver lake or Grandview Park. I can find myself in an instant, sitting in the old hog lot on my mother's home place. A single shot shot gun, loaned to me by my Uncle Lacy, across my lap waiting for that streak of gray fur to show itself or hear the drum of a Ruffled Grouse. Fall will give way to bare trees and ice along the edges of the streams. Pumpkins will be harvested and all the corn stalks gone. But all I have to do is close my eyes and I smell those concession stand hot dogs and see that bright orange and yellow hog lot.

We have so often heard the saying .."take time to smell the roses". I hope my children take the time to stop and smell "A West Virginia Autumn" in the air. I have lived in places where they don't have the change we do. There is no color or air that can sting your nose it's so cool. I never want to be in a place such as that again. I know all too well what it's like to miss it. Even at my age, I see my grandchildren dressed for Halloween and I find myself walking the streets of Beaver, knocking on doors and making a point to walk in the leaves even if a sidewalk is there. We had no worry of tainted treats or violence. Maybe a toilet tipped over or a window soaped. But that was it. Pumpkins carved and lit. No plastic or foam ones done in China. You prayed for a moon and a chill. You were scared the moment you walked out the door. I loved it then and I love it now. For one night I'd love to go back in time with my granddaughters in tow, along with my children, and show them a coal camp Halloween.

The rain and wind today brought the leaves down. A dark sky announced what was soon to be a normal sight. Again I sat in the swing, watched the wind bring the leaves down to the river and create an artist pallet in midstream. The boat is covered. Firewood gathered and menus changed from summer to fall. My kitchen today smelled of chili and homemade bread. The coffee pot replaces the ice tea and I mentally plan projects I wish to do . Another year is almost passed. Another Autumn to spur my thoughts and memories of another day.