OCTOBER IS USUALLY SCARY FUN

One of my favorite seasons is fall. Unlike spring, fall has a unique array of colors that drape over all of God's creation. Bright yellows, oranges and reds. Dull browns, creams and an over kill of dead foliage everywhere. The nights are down right cold and the days unpredictable in reaching highs of the 60's and 70's. Already, this past October 6th, we had snow in these Nebraska sandhills. So the colors are now set in tune, deteriorating at a faster pace while heavy night time freezes take a nature toll. And that's not all ...

Fall colors splash all around me as I sit in a created throne of pillows and blankets, sipping on ice water and typing this post, while I continue to recover from back surgery I had on Oct 1st. Of course the type of surgery I had was of last resort. A fusion of my lower lumbar, the L4/L5. After much counsel it appeared to be my only option to stabilize a very damaged area in my back. I am recovering well. At least I think I am. Never had this type of surgery before and since pain was the biggest issue ... there is minimal to no pain on this day, 3 weeks and 2 days after surgery. I'm no longer distracted by pain and so this fall has my attention.

October is my scary fun month in fall. Halloween is the fun, with all the costumes and CANDY! Scary is in some of the costumes, decorations and haunted houses/corn fields and parties. I can't always do the haunted house thing. Strobe lights wack my balance and my claustrophobia attacks are hard to control in dark, cramped areas. But the element of being scared in a fun way is such a kick.

I am praying that my healing continues and will be advanced enough to get involved in the Halloween festivities that Ogallala supports. The parade is a hoot. I don't remember taking my son and daughter in Halloween parades when they were little. Why is that? Did we have em back then? (Just about done with the pain meds for my surgery ... but maybe I'm still loopy?) Well, I give up trying to recall. I do remember taking the grandkids though! In my old age, I love the parade! And yes, I get all dressed up. I've gone as a vampire, a Native American, Bonnie (Ron was my Clyde), a clown, a voting booth ... and so much more.

As I wrap up this post, I look out the window and all the fall colors are now enveloped in darkness as the night nears midnight. I can hear the wind, not a violent as it was on October 18th but it is a cold, brisk blow. And what is that on the window? Snow?

I had to get up from my pillow haven and open the window ... yep! It is snow. Hm ... on the 6th we got less than an inch here in the country, near Ogallala. The 24th is almost gone. 8 minutes to midnight. So far the snow has covered the fall colors in a light blanket of white. It is beautiful. Closing the window and suddenly feeling tired (could be the pain pill I took earlier) I look forward to my pillow haven on the bed. Tomorrow, October 25th, when I wake, what will the daylight bring?