The Joys of Fall, or, Annoying Dog for Sale Cheap

I had two topics in mind for a post today, so I thought I'd just combine them into one post. So, first - the dog over there is named Willow. She's insanely friendly and cute and lovable. I adopted her from the SPCA almost two months ago, and I love her wholeheartedly. That being said, she is driving me up the wall today! Honestly, I'd give her away to anyone who came by to pick her up. Well, at least for a little while. She is an adult dog who had apparently been mistreated, because she is afraid of a lot of things that no reasonable dog should be afraid of (plastic grocery bags when they're full of groceries, umbrellas, leashes if they get pulled tight on her neck), but we're working on those things. The most annoying thing about her, though, and the thing that is driving me crazy today, is that she grumbles and barks all the time and for no reason. Or at least she is today. She's afraid my cats might get into something that she doesn't want them into. She's afraid that someone may come over, so she's on guard against that. She's afraid that the sound of people on TV or even the sound of my Sims in my computer game might be people who want to come attack us. She seems to just be angry at the world today, and she needs to calm the heck down.

Okay, whew. She just laid down in her crate, so maybe it's naptime. Meantime, here's the other topic I was thinking about. Fall is here! I love fall. I wish I had a digital camera so that I could show you the glorious things about this season. I don't have one, though, so you'll just have to use your imagination as I write about them. First, the Canadian Geese are here, in huge numbers, and they're hanging out in the field next to my house. I love the sound of them. I just took Willow outside, thinking that maybe she was bugging me because she had to go potty, and while we were out there, the whole large flock of them picked up and flew down the field away from us, and the sound! It was amazing. The beating of wings, the honking of their voices. It was great.

Second, the coolness, the crispness of the air, and the colors of the trees as they turn orange and yellow and red. It's all fantastic and beautiful. And the third thing I'm loving about fall today is the loaf of pumpkin bread that I just made. Yum. The house smells great and it tastes great, and it just screams of fall.

I'm not sure why fall is my favorite season. It shouldn't be, because I hate winter, and the arrival of the geese and the coolness means that winter is a very few short weeks away, as far as mother nature is concerned. But even the thought of snow doesn't stop me from loving fall. It just makes me feel like all is right with the world.

And in not such cheery news, my friend Sally lost her father this weekend. He had been sick for a while, and she said he was ready to go, but I know first hand how horrible it is to lose a parent, even if they are ready to go, and I feel for her. Sally, if you read this, know that my thoughts are with you, and that I am here for you whenever you need someone to help you through.

Okay, I need to go finish the sinkful of dishes that I have soaking. If you Americans have today off like I do, go out and enjoy this glorious fall day! Take your own dogs for a walk, or if you don't have one take yourself for a walk. Look at the leaves, smell the air, and enjoy life.