The past couple of months have been busy.  And hot.  Trying to keep all the animals cool, watered, and eating enough despite the heat is nearly a full-time job by itself.  While Fall officially starts in September, usually we’re still trying to stay cool right up through November, with just a few scattered days being in the upper 60s -70s during the Fall season.  Having an 80 degree Thanksgiving and nearly roasting ourselves while trying to cook a turkey is not unusual.  But Mother Nature decided to surprise us this year.

It’s the first weekend in October and a cold front that brought snow to the upper Midwest has made it a bit chilly for us down here in North Texas.  Today was dark, cloudy, and misty with a chilly wind and a high temperature of 54*F (that was very brief before dropping back to 50*).

Considering that the seasons here in Texas are usually Hot, Hotter, Hottest, and Christmas; we tend to get excited when a north wind blows invigorating air our way.  The Mottled Javas loved the weather and played with their toy ball that dumps out grain when they roll it around the chicken run.  And the dogs – talk about lunatics when it’s so cool.  Even the older dogs get a spring in their steps when it actually feels like Autumn.  Especially since today was 30+ degrees below normal!

The temp has already dropped into the mid 40s, below what the forecast for tonight was.  Perfect weather for tossing logs into the fireplaces to season the soapstone and cast iron of the fireplace inserts for the winter burning season.  Despite the mess and the work that comes with a wood burning fireplace, seeing the flickering light and hearing the snapping as the flames lick at the wood, makes even this old fixer-upper house feel cozy and friendly.  Nothing like a Saturday night spent watching old Westerns, tending a fire, and listening to snoring dogs, purring cats, and the occasional rooster crowing.  Yes, we have roosters that crow after dark.  We’re weird that way.

Happy Autumn!