Easily Excitable

Y’all, I need a moment of silence: the best time of year is upon us. 

I know, I know: it’s too early to celebrate fall. But as I start this writing (not as I finish it- probably won’t do that until the wee hours of Saturday morning- a nice 8:30am), it’s Sunday, August 30th, and I’m sitting outside. 

There’s a nice breeze, it feels like the weather hit 70ish degrees, and I know I can make it until fall. 

Okay, to be fair: the wait to fall isn’t a horrible deal for me: I love the summer, I adore the fall, spring is one of my favorites, and winter is lovely, too, in its own right (it’s taken me a while to be able to say that- I get the winter scaries pretty bad). 

I love all the seasons, okay?

But fall might just be my favorite. 

Folks, we are officially in September, and I can feel the fall around the corner. It’s not here yet, and I know the fake falls are coming our way, just enough to whet our appetites for the real thing. 

I won’t trust them, but I will enjoy them. 

That said, September is the breaking point for fall: it’s the time where we can all look forward to the good tidings autumn will bring. 

I’m not one to break out the pumpkins just yet. 

LOL. I don’t decorate period. 

BUT, I do have several things I’m looking forward to this month. Here they are. Enjoy!

COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS BACK!

I’m so excited, I can barely stand it. 

Now, the Bulldogs don’t have two overly-exciting first games. But middle-ways of the month? 

The gauntlet begins. 

This is my Roman Empire. 

I was talking the other day about how excited I was, and I can trace it back (I think) to, yes of course, the Milledgeville days in the fall back during college. 

But following college, when I lived at home, one of my favorite ‘traditions’ was working all day Saturday on the farm, then grilling, eating, and watching UGA play with Daddy, Momma, and Zayden.

Fond memories that set me up for a lifetime of exuberance about college football. 

Give me some College Gameday sunrise-sharp, and I’ll be happy.  

Another important fact about college football season? Georgia WILL NOT be playing Tennessee this year. This hasn’t been my favorite game in…oh…I don’t know…seven years??

This game has been an evening-ruiner for the past few years, as we are a house divided, and the game normally swings in the Dawgs (and, thereby, my) favor. 

Sitting outside

A couple years ago, we got rocking lawnchairs. It was a life-changer. 

This fall, you can find me outside in a chair in the backyard any day after 4pm. Weekends, I’ll be out there as soon as the work for the day is done. 

When I was young, my Pa used to love sitting on the edge of his dove field, watching birds and drinking O’Doul’s: after school on Friday, we would go and visit with him and Gran, which meant we also sat on the edge of the field, and we also watched the doves. 

And, likely, we, the Meadows traveling circus, scared away a fair share of birds. Fall always makes me think of that. That’s probably why I’m so fond of sitting outside.

I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. 

I have the heart and soul of a 65 year old man, I guess. 

Opening day of Dove Season

Is ‘Opening Day’ capitalized? It should be. 

I’ve stooped to looking up cute camo on Amazon. I won’t buy it because I’m cheap, but I’ll love it from afar. 

That last line? I typed last Sunday, on August 30th. 

As I type this on Wednesday, I’m both exuberant and sorrowful to announce I did have to buy an outfit. 

But it was only the shirt. And it was only because Daddy said my green shirt wouldn’t do. 

It came in the mail, so I’m officially ready for the big day! 

Getting my wig shook.

I’m going to see one young Addisyn Keel on Labor Day- this upcoming Monday. Last time I went and saw her was in May, so I’m in dire need of a little shake-up. 

I’m so excited. It’s like a double holiday for me. I don’t do pedicures, manicures, waxings or any of those activities. But my hair is the primping I need and love. 

Come Monday, when I get these roots fixed, I’ll be a changed woman. 

LOL. No, I’ll still be ratty ol’ me, but I’ll FEEL like a new woman- like I could change the world- and really that’s all that matters. 

Hair appointment in the morning, and another dove shoot in the afternoon. 

The best of both worlds!

Welcoming the Kotara crew to the trailer.

Trey’s Dad and Bonus Mom, Mr. Chris and Mrs. Donna, came in on Wednesday en route to Destin, so we had a lot of good conversation and catching up. 

Do I even need to tell you that Boone was excited? He was beside himself with joy. What’s more? He actually behaved himself. 

What a guy! The Kotaras always load us up with goodies, so if you see me around, rocking a new UGA hoodie, just know that- as always- I’m only fashionable because of the generosity of others. 

Next time we see the Kotaras, it’ll be Christmastime. Sounds like a ways off, but a blink, and it’ll be here. 

Seeing the Enns crew in Denver

We’ve begun our Fall Wedding Tour™. This month, our first stop will be Denver, Colorado, where we’ll bear witness to and celebrate the nuptials of Trey’s great-uncle Lew and his bride-to-be, Dale. 

We’ll get to visit with Ms. Tamela, Trey’s mom, as well as the McCurren crew: Chelsea, Andrewm, and the four kiddos. 

We can’t wait to celebrate with the Enns crew, and we’re looking forward to all the activities and (hopefully) cooler weather! 

The heat is different. 

It is not gone.

Look, I could be wrong, but this might be the hottest August I can remember.

HOWEVER, I walked outside yesterday morning to walk Boone, and the heat felt just a smidge different. 

Just a smidge. 

May have been wishful thinking: that’s always a possibility. All I know is that, while September will 1000% be a hot one, it will also be a different heat. I like to think that’s because it’s not quite so dang humid. 

I’m looking forward to that, even though it certainly won’t be the case this weekend when we hunt doves. 

Labor Day is upon us. 

The first holiday on the calendar. We’ve arrived! Thanks be to God! 

I can always feel my focus start dipping a bit and my patience starts wearing just a little thinner than normal. I’ll wonder what’s wrong with me, only to then realize we’re about a week away from a break. 

Suddenly, it all makes sense: I’ve just reached my threshold of Teenager Quality Time™, and I need a holiday to reset. 

This three day weekend will be full of hunting, football, family, hair-doing: all the things I love. What more could I ask for? 

Will I be smoking meats this year? Maybe. 

If you’ve been reading for a while, you remember my brisket phase: this phase led into, “I wonder what other things I could smoke.”

Turns out? Quite a lot of things actually. 

I’ve fallen off the smoking wagon for the past year, but I’m thinking it’s time to revive that particular hobby. And there is no time quite like the fall to use the smoker. 

Speaking of, I did just look at the Kroger salespaper out of curiosity: turns out, brisket is on sale this week. $3.99/lb. Now, when I first started buying briskets, the sales price was normally $1.99. Even brisket can’t escape inflation unscathed, I guess?

I hate to see the price, but all the same, brisket-cooking may be added to the agenda for the weekend. 

Stay tuned!

Fall will always be my favorite season.

It may not be your cup of tea, but I think we can all agree that, if absolutely nothing else, a little respite from the scorching summer heat and humidity will be nice. 

Add in college football? Add in dove hunting? Add in smoked brisket? ADD IN A NEW HAIRDO?!

You can’t beat September with a stick.