Fall in East Tennessee

There is just a hint of the leaves turning but you can feel it in the air. I have never lived in place so geared towards fall. We've had more rain than normal and the folks around here say that translates to even more brilliant fall colors and those colors lasting longer. This fall is special to me personally because I was so sick last year I missed fall. By the time I got out of the hospital and was well enough, the leaves were all but gone. I have resolved to enjoy them each day and appreciate their splendor and contemplate the One who made them.

To a much much lighter note, this fall also holds a new excitement; its football time. I have never been one to follow the sport except to pick a team while my cousins were watching a game, but here football takes on a life of its own. Saturday was our first game; first in a couple ways. Mostly we have a new coach Lane Kiffen, who was an assistant coach with the Raiders. Also they refurbished Neyland stadium and installed a new jumbo tron. Saturday was our first game (yes, I said "our") Norm and I were out and about; I donning my UT earrings, and UT pants (that's right), Norm with his UT cap. This would look completely out of place anywhere else but as we went about just about everyone was sporting the old orange and white. We even made football snacks and all watched the game as a family. Never has this happened in Nelson history. Of course we crushed them, Western KY, 63 to 7. Go Vols.