Fall is my favorite time of year but one of the things that I've always liked the least about it is the fact that it usually seems to last for such a short period of time.  In response to that, I feel like I need to make the most of the few fleeting days I actually have to enjoy the colors and the crisp air, the smells and the foods of the season.  To that end, I've been trying to spend time outside or with friends... or even at home just looking out the window... but not sitting in front of my computer, blogging.

To recap the last week, I was able to complete the three pieces that I'd been commissioned to do for a book of poetry to be published this year.  Once I have a title and order information, I'll be sure to pass that along.  I've already posted a little bit about the project here and here, so I won't say a lot right now - but I'll refresh everything once more when the book is available...

Yesterday, my friend Kevin and I went to a local cider mill to brave the cold for an afternoon of fun.  This trip was prompted a couple of weeks ago when, in an effort to savor the season, I purchased a gallon of cider at Kroger.  It was pretty terrible.  I tried to salvage the pricey gallon by making spiced cider and then drinking from it over the next week or so, but I was still left lacking the delicious taste of fresh cider that I'd known as a kid - so I googled local cider mills and I found Tuttle Orchards (everyone local should check it out!)... so I grabbed Kevin and away we went.  While I didn't get to watch the actual cider being pressed and they didn't have fresh baked cider donuts available (I guess that must be a Michigan thing), I was treated to my very first corn maze.  It was located on two acres and there were so many twists and turns that we were able to really get lost for awhile.  It was great!  Here's Kevin and I inside the corn maze:

Today is my Sabbath and I hope to spend as much time as possible taking advantage of the lovely weather before the cold snap that's promised for this week arrives.  I'll try to do better this week... now get outside and enjoy the weather!