October is over and done. Less than two months from now, the year will be gone too. My, it seems 2016 has slipped by unusually fast. Cooler weather has settled in and the front yard is covered with colorful leaves that have fallen from the maple trees. Sumacs and sassafras in the fencerows have colored up too. Apparently, there was a pretty good walnut crop this year, judging from the bags of nuts I've seen as I've driven past the huller. The pecans too are falling and I've picked up a few nuts on several occasions. Maybe I'll get enough for a pecan pie.
It's that time of year again, time for pecan pie and pumpkin pie and whatever other flavor you choose. We usually threw a chocolate pie for the nephews into the mix at family meals, and grandson A.J.'s caramel apple pie was a big hit with everyone. Seems the emphasis is on food everywhere we turn this month. I enjoy reading November issues of my magazines with all their recipes for yummy treats. And a new grocery store opening tomorrow will give us another choice for purchasing the ingredients.
Fall is football season too. Gravette closed its regular season with a win over Gentry last week and will travel to Pocahontas for the first playoff round this Friday night. We enjoyed watching the Razorback game Saturday as the Hogs topped a tough Florida team. They seem to have benefited from an off week after their loss to Auburn. We hope the win will give them momentum to carry them through their final three games.
By the time you read this issue, the election will be over and I must admit I won't be sorry to see the end of this campaign. I think the TV ads for political candidates this year have been the most negative I've ever seen. I've never appreciated the candidates who were always tearing down their opponents but prefer those who would run on their merits and tell us what they plan to do to improve our situation. Sort of reminds me of that old adage Mama often reminded us of, "If you can't say anything good about a fellow, don't say anything at all."
Speaking of mothers, we had a call from Jim's sister last Monday saying that his mother and stepdad had been taken to a nursing facility near their home in northern Missouri. Mom had been hospitalized a few days and had been diagnosed with lung cancer. She was 90 in August and chose not to undergo any treatment for it. Then, on Sunday, Kay called again and said Mom died that morning. She had made known her wishes to be cremated and wanted no services at all so the family will honor her wishes.
Our life seems to bring a series of ups and downs and we have received good news to temper the bad. A note from our friend in Florida said she had come through Hurricane Matthew with no damage. Her area suffered only high winds. She said her son-in-law put up shutters but they weren't needed. And, of course, our friends in the Chicago area are overjoyed that the Cubs won a World Series after a 108-year drought.
As the seasons change, I liked this comment from Lisa Jansen at faroutfarms.net: "There is spring, summer, fall and winter for a reason. It keeps life from becoming boring and gives us structure at the same time. Spring is when the whole world comes to life after long cold, seemingly dead, winters. Summer is time to grow and change. Enjoy the sun and the bounty of a garden and fruit trees. Fall is harvest time to pick, cook, can, freeze and prepare for the coming of winter. Winter is time for family and good books. It is a happy time. After all that work in the previous three seasons, it is time to snuggle.
"This is the time to hold loved ones near," Jansen continued. "Grab a grandkid (or a puppy if you have no grandkids.) Hold those you love close, read to them. Write about them. Reflect and share in healthy happy communication. Remember it is about relationships, not stuff. That is the blessing I learned losing my home, car, guest cabin and well house to a fire. We were made to be together. All the stuff in the world will not make you happy. Togetherness can make you happy!"
Susan Holland is a long-time resident of Benton County and a reporter for the Westside Eagle Observer. She can be reached by email at [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Editorial on 11/09/2016