By KFB News Editor Tim Thornberry

It doesn't take long, once the days of October draw near, that pumpkin season suddenly appears at our house. We have pumpkin decorations, and pumpkin candles, and pumpkin pie. And let's not forget the pumpkin coffee.

All these “pumpkiny" things remind me of the coming fall as summer slips away. I feel very fortunate to live in a place where we experience four distinct seasons and the beauty each one brings.

But autumn could be my favorite time of year. It’s not just the pumpkins, although I’m a huge pumpkin pie fan. For me, there is so much to enjoy about this season.

The fall colors with the changing of the leaves are something I wait for with great anticipation each year. It's like my part of the world is a canvas and the good Lord paints a beautiful picture of reds, and yellows, and orange.

And as they fall and fill the creek behind my house, the water becomes a painting all its own. I could just sit for hours and watch each leaf find its resting place in the quiet water.

Then there is the sound of nearby tractors and combines of my farmer neighbors bringing in the harvest, something we should all be thankful for. While some may feel it’s a distraction, for me it is music to my ears to know these hard-working people are continuing a tradition none of us can live without.

Speaking of food, there are distinctive dishes that come with the fall, including all kinds of stews, and soups, and my favorite chili. When I think about it, nothing beats a good bowl of chili on a cool autumn day.

While I know that this special time of year will give way to winter sooner than we think, I try to soak up as much of its goodness as I can before the heavy coats come out of the closet once again.

I know many people who live in regions where the changing of the seasons can only be recognized by the calendar on the wall, and if that is what they enjoy, I am happy for them.

As for me though, each season brings its own “specialness” with sights and sounds that belong to each one respectively. From the budding of spring flowers to the first snows of winter, I only wish each season could last a little longer.

I will marvel at the time spent and the joy I experience with each passing season, understanding they are gifts from above. But I will still hold autumn closest to my heart, as I continue to make my way, down the backroads.

Permission is granted to reprint this article in its entirety in both print and online formats. Credit to: Kentucky Farm Bureau News.