Early morning sun rises over the soybean fields."Crispy air and azure skies,
High above, a white cloud flies,
Bright as newly fallen snow.
Oh the joy to those who know October!
Colors bright on bush and tree.
Over the weedy swamp, we see
A veil of purple and brown and gold.
Thy beauty words have never told. October!
Scolding sparrows on the lawn,
Rabbits frisking home at dawn,
Pheasants midst the sheaves of grain,
All in harmony acclaim, October!
Brown earth freshly turned by plow,
Apples shine on bended bough,
Bins o'erflowed with oats and wheat,
And satisfaction reigns complete. October!
Radiant joy is everywhere.
Spirits in tune to the spicy air,
Thrill in the glory of each day.
Life's worth living when we say, October!"
- Joseph Pullman Porter
The calendar may have said that fall arrived last week, but October marks the true beginning of fall for me. The temperatures have dropped twenty degrees with nights cool enough for jackets and crisp, sunny days. A few leaves at the very top of the maple trees are beginning to turn, and sadly, I think the hummingbirds have left for warmer climes. The surest sign of fall in this area, though, is the gold and brown in the corn and bean fields, signalling the onset of harvest time. The harvest is late this year because of the spring rains that delayed planting until June. But, barring an early frost, farmers should have a better yield than expected. (At least they won't be asking Washington for a $700 billion bailout!)
Mums brighten up corners where daisies and coneflowers once bloomed. 
But the best part of October for me this year is that my beloved Cubbies are still playing! They begin the National League playoffs early this evening in a game with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chicagoland must be buzzing right now as their South Side counterparts, the White Sox are also in the playoffs. Better stock up on firewood and make sure you have a warm winter coat--as Mr. McGregor's Daughter has said, if both Chicago teams make it to the World Series, hell may freeze over! Let's hope both teams--but especially the Cubs--are still playing at the end of October!
Garden Muse Day is sponsored the first day of each month by Carolyn Gail at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago. Visit her for more poetry on the wonderful fall month of October.
