Autumn

It's an odd change of colors--so far--and I'm hoping the rain forecast for the next couple of days doesn't dampen the spectacular like the past couple of years.

I already see out there some brilliant yellows and reds.  Some maples are aflame, yet others right next to them are still solid green, no change at all.  Hmmm......

Perhaps that will extend the color show, one of my favorite times of the year.  K is due to head Up North next weekend and we were wondering the other day if the peak times will have elapsed.  We hope not.  For me, I have started to reconsider a last-minute trip back to Amherst for Homecoming.  Likely the game, vs Wesleyan, will be for the NESCAC championship (although Trinity might have something to say about that). But even more, I think I'd love to see the New England color show--it's been about 43 years since I've seen one.  Michigan's spectaculars are just that, spectacular in the autumn.  But New England shows are something very special, esp the mesmerizing view of the Holyoke Range from the top of Memorial Hill.

On our run this AM, Bob and I talked about upcoming races.  We're going to do the Big Bird in November. I think this will be my 24th Big Bird 10K, missing only one year when K and I were in NY for a wedding.  I think we've talked Michael, our blind runner partner, to run it with us.  Last year, for the first time, I didn't race the Big Bird--I just ran it.  (OK, racing implies I am fast, not so.)  I yakked with people running from 8 and 9 mins a mile to 14 mins a mile, running a mile or two with different runners.  One running friend told me, "Get up there where you belong," implying I should be running faster.  But I smiled and told her, "On this day, right here is where I belong."  It was--it may have been the most enjoyable Big Bird I've ever run and it is one of my two or three favorite races.  I've run the Big Bird about 15 minutes faster than I did last year, but I don't think I enjoyed it much more. Then, Bob and I remembered the LightFest, which will come not two days, but nine days, after the Big Bird.  Bob and I used to park at the finish line early, run to the start to pick up our tee shirts, and then run back to the finish, doubling the five-mile run through the LightFest of Hines Drive.  It's a very pretty run, very festive, and capped off by pizza at De Luca's, our favorite.  The past few years, Karen and friends have joined Bob and me.  Michelle, Russ, Carrie, and K walk, but, of course, have pizza with us.  I think last year, Bob and Carrie switched roles.  Bob walked and Carrie ran with me.  It was a nice change of pace and, although Carrie and I got lost (I couldn't find my car, forgetting what it looked like since I had just picked it up a couple days before!), the rest of our teammates arrived at De Luca's early enough to order so pizza was served shortly after Carrie and I made our appearance.  Oh, that pizza is good!!!!!!

I may or may not have mentioned that Matt and Linda are getting married!  Hooray!  It seems to me to be a great match--each is lucky to have found the other.  It appears the wedding will be in Las Vegas, which is great, but I don't know when.  Gee, I wonder if our trip out there for the wedding will still let me take in the Motown Show??????  Nah, I'm kidding......

Out to take the kids to the apple orchard for picking, cider, and doughnuts--I don't know which is my favorite part!