Editor's Note: This column originally published Oct. 5, 2015.
Fall really is the best time of year.
It’s time to break out the light jackets, fleece coats and watch the world change colors. There is a certain smell in the air when autumn rolls around. It’s crisp and fresh, and I always take the time to enjoy it.
Autumn means a lot of things to me. Farmers are out in the field, harvesting their crops for which they have spent months nurturing in order to reach its fullest potential yield. Fresh apples are being picked from the tree and made into delicious treats. I had my first fresh apple pie of the season last week. Hot apple cider will be a must for me at some point. Pumpkin flavored everything is back from lattes to scented candles. It’s a surefire indicator that autumn has arrived.
It also means the best holidays are almost here. Halloween is always fun; although I rarely don a costume these days. Thanksgiving will always be a favorite. Food, family and friends are the best combination. It’s too early to discuss Christmas, but we do anyway. Autumn really is one big preview to the holidays of happiness and cheer.
Fall marks the beginning of postseason baseball. MLB has a long season, but it all pays off by this time of year. Luckily, my Yankees have secured a playoff bid this year and notched their 10,000th franchise win. It’s such a big accomplishment for such a storied team.
The thing I enjoy most about fall is watching football. Once the temperature starts dropping, that’s when it really starts to feel like football season. The Iowa Hawkeyes are my team and so far it’s been a fun start to the season especially after Saturday’s upset win over Wisconsin.
I had the opportunity to attend the last two home games, and they could not have been more different. Both had me on my feet and cheering.
For the Pittsburg game, I kind of lucked into my ticket. My dad and brother have season tickets; however, my brother had to attend his friend’s wedding that Saturday, and he kindly let me have his seat. It was a nice father-daughter game day outing.
My dad is an old football coach, and it’s always fun sitting next to him at the game. He sees the game differently. I have picked up a little of the lingo over the years, but nothing compared to dad.
The 57-yard, game-winning field goal happened right in front of us. I had the presence of mind to break out my iPhone and capture the moment. I posted it on Facebook, of course, and you can hear my dad loudly declare “He made it!” over the screaming crowd. The video was only five seconds long. Any longer and I would have given viewers motion sickness from all of the jumping up and down.
The next week, the Hawkeyes took care of business early, leaving little doubt they would be the victors over North Texas. I had tickets to this game and was seated with my mom and sister this time around. It was fun to get mom to a game, because she usually enjoys the game from the comfort of home or grandma’s house.
For the game against North Texas, we were seated in the south end zone, a level above the student section. They were great seats. One might guess I wouldn’t talk as much football strategy seated next to my mom rather than my father. This was not the case. Mom loved the view, telling my sister and I how she used to go on scouting trips with dad, and she would help write down blocking schemes. What can I say, we are a football family.
So whether you are watching action on the gridiron or crunching through leaves at your local park, make sure you take a minute to enjoy the beauty of autumn all around you.
Contact Pam Rodgers
at prodgers@newtondailynews.com