I love this time of year. Fall means crispness in the air, leaves changing colors, the smell of firewood burning in the fireplace and colder temperatures. (Instead of throw another log on the fire, I just throw on another afghan.
) Autumn in Nebraska has a different feel to it. Cornfields are ready to be harvested. The tall green stalks are now crispy and hold no color.
The ears of corn are ready for picking. There are sounds of geese and ducks as they arrive. Blackbirds seem to come out of nowhere and fly together as though they are practicing for the long trip south.
Soon the harvest will begin and the fields will be empty of cornstalks and cows will be enjoying the spoils of the harvest. Our tastes in food change in the fall. Our winter menu includes soups and chili, and our drinks change from cold iced tea to warm cider and cocoa.
Decorations come out of storage. Pumpkins and gourds appear. People are eager to display fall wreaths on front doors of their home.
Growing up there were no air conditioners in homes. The cooler temperatures meant the oven would be on more often. And my favorite smell to wake up to on Saturday morning was warm bread or cinnamon rolls.
My mother’s rolls were to die for! People seem to slow down and spend more time at home. The pantries are overflowing with canned goods from the summer harvest. The time change brings people inside earlier and we all look forward to board games and favorite TV shows.
And just as the critters gather to fly away or graze in a cornfield, Nebraska people also gather. And just as the birds of a feather come together and each flock is a blur of matching color, so are Nebraska folk. Memorial Stadium in Lincoln and every living room filled with friends don the color of the Huskers.
Even shoppers and cashiers at Walmart and Gary’s grocery store wear the Husker color. The color of fall in Nebraska is red . Every Husker fan will be perched on the edge of their stadium seat or their couch waiting for the team to come charging on to the field as the band plays the Nebraska fight song.
We never get tired of watching those players come out of that tunnel ready to play and as of this morning we are 3-0. Go Big Red! Fall is truly the kickoff season for more than football. Fall brings change in weather, schedules, activities and starts to get us ready holiday season, but for today take the time to catch your breath, get comfortable on the couch and sip on a hot cup of cocoa while you just enjoy life and count your blessings.
Fall in Nebraska is special in many ways, but then just living in Nebraska is pretty special. For many years, I lived far away. I made my home in Washington, D.
C and Cananda; then I came home. But as a Nebraska girl and University of Nebraska alumna, I am proud to be a Husker. It is just like the Husker fight song says: There is no place like Nebraska Dear old Nebraska U Where the girls are the fairest The boys are the squarest Of any old place that I knew There is no place like Nebraska Where they’re all true blue We’ll all stick together in all kinds of weather For dear old Nebraska U.
Mary Hepburn Mary Hepburn is in her 29th year of writing a column for The North Platte Telegraph. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!.
