November

Today November rears its hoary head and gives us Georgians cool, sweater weather in the morning and evening and a warm day in the middle. This is my favorite weather and one of the reasons I enjoy this state as much as I do. Sure, I can't go to the beach in late November, and everything turns grey and brown by the time this month is ready to end, but that's alright. I enjoy that type of weather from time to time.

Meanwhile, I am reminded of a few years ago when Kate was attending Presbyterian College and Cindy and I drove up to Clinton, via Greenville, and were heading back to Griffin and decided to drive through Commerce and Athens and Madison and Monticello and Jackson to get back home.

It was late afternoon in November. It was the time of year when the the leaves have left the trees and a lot of late afternoon light shows through the branches of the trees. Of course, the evergreens are still prevalent. Little cedars growing on the old fencerows. And as we drove down 441 from Commerce toward Athens, we could see the afternoon colors showing through the trees.

The heater was providing warmth in the car and there was little traffic on the old Federal highway. I found that it provided a peace of mind that is tangible but almost incomprehensible. Incomprehensible because there really wasn't a cause for the feelings of peace and satisfaction, other than the mere beauty of the light fading through the trees.

I truly enjoyed the ride. Later, when we made it to Madison, you could see the amazing old homes in Madison, ante-bellum, victorian, and the lights from the businesses that were still open. It was delightful.

Later, when we made it to Monticello, I stopped and drove through the drive through at Dairy Queen and bought some cold, sweet treats for Cindy and myself. We drove in the darkness toward Jackson and home with the child-like delight of memories, complete sensual sweetness and peace of the early nightfall.

It made the lights of home that much more delightful.