Feels Like Fall . . . Almost

Mick and I keep hoping Fall will start soon, and that the hot sticky weather will change. Everybody tells us how spectacular Arkansas will be in the Fall, and we're certainly ready for it. Instead, it was still 80+ degrees when we took a walk after dinner last night, and the mosquitoes were out in force. We must be patient, I guess.

This week we went to the Perry County Fair with Katie and Honey and celebrated a couple of firsts: Honey's first merry-go-round ride, Mick's first taste of funnel cake, and our first view of a pig catch, which involves a dozen children chasing a handful of piglets around a rodeo ring. The kids who catch a piglet (or chicken or calf) get to keep and raise the animal, so this is serious business for them. It was really fun to watch.


Unfortunately, my little pocket camera could not catch the main action so instead we photographed the toddlers watching from the sidelines. Honey is closest to the camera, Lilly Gill is next, and then a little boy we don't know. They all three really enjoyed the show.

Leo goes back to school next week. And many of my dearest friends sent children off to college this month, too. George's Catherine went off to Boston University, Christina's Hannah is settling in at Macalester college in Minnesota, and Alicia's Anthony is getting comfortable at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Everybody please join me in raising a toast to the success of these fine children at their respective colleges, and to the terrific parents who will be sorely missing them for the next few months. I hope they find a much improved economy when they graduate.

When he goes back for his second year at Irvine next week, Leo leaves behind his Arkansas girlfriend, Kathleen. She is a horticulture major at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. They met at Heifer ranch this summer and are celebrating their one-month anniversary tonight. They're determined to maintain their relationship long distance, and I know we all wish them the best of luck with that!

Its easy to feel Fall in the air with all these fresh starts taking place. I hope the weather soon catches up - and the economy - so that we can all truly celebrate when the holidays come upon us. Hear! Hear!