Fall teases us all. Flirting with our senses and treating us to a season filled with playfulness, ritual, and wonder.  One thing for certain – it’s fleeting and far too short – engaging us with the beauty and elegance on her exit.

SIGHT: Fall is the season of sight. With so many colors and changes, your everyday surroundings are beautiful and new each morning!

SOUND: This season’s song uses three very loud instruments: wind, water, and CHILDREN! The gusts can be strong along the Nebraska plains and I know there has been plenty of wind in my back yard with the evidence of leaves from neighbor’s trees in my pile. Unusually heavy rain made its way into the fall fan fare this year, adding to the percussion ensemble throughout the season. And children use fall to get their last few weeks of outdoor play in before the cold Nebraska winter settles in.

SMELL: Cinnamon, sage, and nutmeg set the stage with their powerful and pleasing aroma. The smell of smoke and ‘smores also wafts through the air as the nights get chilly and fire pits are put to good use.

TOUCH: Everything in fall is full of transforming textures. Leaves and grasses dry up and go from soft to crunchy. Even the air transforms and has an extra “bite” on cool, crisp fall days.

TASTE: Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin tea, limited edition pumpkin waffles, pumpkin pop-tarts, and pumpkin scones – the list goes on and on! Fall seems to be all about that lovable cucurbita pepo. But apples also run a hard race, coming in second for the top fall tastes.

Even though fall is only a flirt, not sticking around for long, we get to enjoy all five senses in her presence. She strings us along just enough to mark our calendars for next year’s autumnal equinox, September 23, 2014.