Not quite a native Ripley Countian - she attended only her last year of high school in Doniphan though she taught in the R-1 system for 32 years - Teresa (Pearson) Lee delights in surprising readers and herself with anecdotal observations of life in general. Maybe you can blame her St.Louis roots for a quirky humor and some slightly-askewed opinions, but never doubt she writes from the heart.

The Awe in Autumn

Posted Friday, November 12, 2021, at 6:34 AM

Easy to see the awe in autumn,

As trees dab color on the horizon,

As we decorate with the vibrant mum,

As we open curtains to welcome the sun.

Easy to hear the awe in autumn

As we stroll through leaves that crinkle,

As backyard roasting fires crackle,

As falling nuts make sounds that startle.

Easy to smell the awe in autumn

As stews and soups simmer in pots,

As cinnamon makes steaming drinks pop,

As wood smoke swirls from chimney tops.

Easy to taste the awe in autumn

As we savor caramel on apples- nothing finer,

As we sample pumpkin treats in every diner,

As we sip a marvelous tea or cider.

Easy to feel the awe in autumn

As pets scoot in for a warmer snuggle,

As the patchwork quilt gets doubled,

As the world gets ready to cuddle.