Autumn

We’re a couple of days into fall and already we’ve had one of my favorite autumn things: a cool, rainy morning.

The light rain and the low 60s temperatures that moved through Tuesday morning made me think: Dang, I wish I was in a tent somewhere drinking coffee and listening to the raindrops tapping the tent.

Instead, I was crouched behind a computer, finishing this week’s paper, but hey. Maybe before long.

Fall is my favorite season and there are certain things I look forward to every time we encounter the autumnal equinox. Among them are:

- Pumpkin pie.

If I ever find myself in the awkward position of having to order a last meal, I will have pumpkin pie for dessert.

The spice, the smell, the texture, the crust, the taste... I think all of us can agree that pumpkin pie is the perfect dessert. Let us scoff together at chocolate cake and ice cream and other, lesser, desserts.

When I was a kid, my mother would bake a pumpkin pie instead of a cake every year for my birthday. I never cared if I got a gift, as long as that pie was ready when I got home from school.

- Beating Texas.

I ask you, can whipping the Longhorns ever get old?

I think not. Doesn’t matter if you’re wearing crimson or America’s brightest shade of orange, few things can salve an aching soul like beating Texas.

- Wood smoke on a frosty morning.

- Listening to geese flying by.

- Being glad you don’t have to listen to geese all the time.

- The first Friday night when it’s cool enough to wear a jacket to the football game.

- Enjoying the time machine that is the DVD of Game 7 of the 1960 World’s Series.

I bought a copy about 10 years ago and watch it early in October every year. I’m eight years old again, watching the heroes of my youth.

Sixty years now, and Mazeroski’s home run still clears the wall every time, with Yogi Berra watching and no doubt mumbling under his breath.