by Ronnie Egerton

Created on: August 31, 2011

Autumn is my favorite time of the year. The Texas summers are relentless and temperatures of 107 degrees are not at all unusual.

 My mother used to say that she hated the fall season, because everything was dying. To me, it is exhilarating, and exciting, a promise of things to come.

When the astronomically high temperatures at the end of September, begin to break, I am so overjoyed to finally begin to feel some life  stir within me, just as everything around me begins to die or go dormant for the winter.

Fall usually lasts about a week in Texas, if we're lucky. The first drop of temperatures into the lower seventies, sends us into a state of euphoria and well being. It is difficult to explain to anyone who is not a native Texan. That first step out into a cool, crisp Autumn morning is a religious experience. God must surely be back in Texas, because our hotter than Hades days, are finally put to rest for a few months.

A temperature of under 70 degrees, coupled with humidity of under 100%; brings out the friskiest behavior of man or beast. A tingle truly goes down your spine and the promises of Heaven are almost guaranteed.

We Texans jokingly tell our out of state friends to come on over and watch our leaf turn. If you look quickly, you might catch a glimpse of a yellow or orange leaf fluttering to the ground. Don't blink, or you might miss it. If we should happen onto a couple of trees together on the side of the road that actually have a little fleeting color, we call all our friends, get out  our cameras and celebrate our good fortune. I've actually seen this beautiful two treed display while out driving, and by the time I went home and returned with a camera, it would be gone.

Mostly, one day the leaves are green and the next day they're laying in a big brown heap all over your yard. Almost all our outdoor festivals and activities are held in October. To me it is just the best, and the time when I feel most alive.

As I walk to my front door on this first day of September, I am giddy with anticipation. As I swing open my storm door, I'm blasted by the 104 degree heat from the real world. I know fall is coming to Texas. It just can't get here soon enough to suit me.

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