After an unbelievably hot and dry summer, it has been a relief to have an actual fall. While still very dry most of us have been able to work comfortably in the yard and garden on season-ending projects that had been postponed due to the extreme heat.

Slowly but surely the monster weeds are succumbing to hoe and shovel and are pulling much easier after last week’s three nights of killing frost. The frost was also welcomed by those of us still combining soybeans. The beans were dry enough in their pods, but the stems in many places were still grass green making combining more like chopping silage. With the freeze the stems were killed and combining became much easier.

The corn In our area was also ready for a freeze for similar reasons. Green cornstalks are handled well by modern-day combines, but a freeze makes their job more manageable. With the freeze the corn will be able to dry down more quickly and allow harvest speeds to increase.

A number of friends have gone on fall color tours to New England this year, but I would argue that this year Nebraska has outdone itself in the color category. I had to do a “Honey Run” the other day which took me in a circle from home over to Overton, south of the river, back into Lexington and home again.

While we don’t have as many reds as in the East, our cottonwoods can conjure up some glorious golds in October. A number of our other deciduous varieties are equalused ly adept at finding all shades of orange when the weather permits. These combined with the usual brown of elms and in between shades of green and brown make for a varied palette we don’t always get to enjoy. So, I was pleasantly surprised on my circle drive to view the color display in the shelterbelts and along the river and our neighborhood creek. The fact the colors have hung in there for several weeks has also been a bonus. The mostly calm evenings have made for some awesome sunsets and provided a comfortable setting for everything from football games to hayrack rides and pumpkin patch visits. Hubby and I enjoyed our fire pit for the first time this year the other night. This summer’s heat made any additional warmth at the end of the day an unwelcome prospect. It gave us a chance to try out some new Adirondack-style chairs we bought at the State Fair, ones complete with fold out footrests. One of the most comfortable S’mores making experiences ever. While this stretch of fall weather has been longer than some years, I would give anything for a cool, drizzly day as we sure could use a break in the drought. That would give me a chance to break out the hot tea, hot chocolate and all kinds of soup choices for a snuggly evening in. Another perk of fall. Till that drizzly day arrives, enjoy our sunny days and comfy evenings.