I believe I have mentioned here once or twice that fall is my favorite season. It always makes me reflective. For some reason I begin to think about all of the things I meant to do, and I plot and plan how I might get them done sooner or later or not at all. I suppose the shorter days and the falling leaves remind me that winter is coming -- a time when many things are more difficult and better left for the warmer months. But there is savor to fall as well. I think I appreciate the sounds and smells and textures of the forest more. Perhaps that is because I am no longer overwhelmed by the heat or the insects, so I am free to experience the more subtle parts of the forest. Or it may be that I am more aware that the opportunity doesn't last forever. Certainly the winter forest has its allures, but I think the forest as it is beginning to fall asleep is the most alluring. It's a bittersweet time. I wish I had found more chances to swim in the lake. I wish we had camped more. I wish I had devoted more effort to identifying the trees and plants. I wish I had had more patience to wait for the critters to cross my path. Fall always intensifies my feelings about being in the forest. I'm grateful for that. The order form for trees from the Conservation Department nursery is supposed to come online today. I intend to order another twenty-five shortleaf pines for replanting (hopeful, ever hopeful), but I'm eager to see what new interesting plants might be available. More nannyberries, anyone? Missouri calendar:

• Most leaves have fallen; forest floor blanketed.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 15th, 2007 at 1:01 am and is filed under Indulgent Musings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.