Each season of the year has its unique way of introducing itself to us. In the spring we see new blossoms and leaves on the trees and plants.

Summer brings full greenery throughout the entire land. Winter presents a drab appearance with wind blowing through trees, which are absent of leaves. But right now, at the beginning of the fall season, we are witnessing probably the most amazing colors of all the seasons combined.

For those of you who have traveled along the highways or ventured into the woods you have noticed all the yellow and black flowers and plants which have sprouted just about everywhere. If you have allergies I know you can identify quite well with this season.

Yes, Golden Rods and Black Eye Susans are flowing galore.  Even the 12 inch high “Bitterweed” with its yellow tint shares its place in nature. Dairy farmers must be extra careful and not let their herds eat these plants because they are known to cause bitterness in their milk.

During this season of the year party decors reflect the colors of yellow, red and orange, depicting the falling leaves and ripe blooms.

All these beautiful colors foreshadow Indian Summer, that late October, early November period when we normally experience the driest time of the year. From now until the end of Indian Summer many people save their vacations to visit those far northern states to witness these colorful sites framed in natures most artistic forms. But, you know, it is not really imperative to make those long trips because all you need do is take a short trip along our roads and highways and see our yellow, black and reddish-orangish colors on display right now.

There is one more favorite that makes our Autumn complete. And that is the wild persimmon. All these colorful plants and flowers assure us that we are entering that three to four week era when those succulent wild persimmons begin falling from the leafless limps of the persimmon trees. But, you must be careful. Any greenish shade still apparent on these fruits will let you know at first bite “I have partaken too early.” Yes, your mouth will be drawn to the up most as unripe persimmons are as tasteless as the fully ripen ones are as sweet.

There is still one other item that I regard as symbolic with the fall of the year. And, that is the Hot Dog. You notice I capitalize the H and D on these two words because I believe they are entitled to it. Yes, since the days of my youth I simply enjoy a good hot dog from school Halloween carnivals, Williams Station events and anywhere hot dogs are sold outdoors. It’s just something about that mixture of mustard and catsup sprinkled with strings of sauerkraut and onions on top of succulent hot dog. No wonder Andy Griffith lived so long.

Well, so much for Autum, its beautiful colors and its sweet fruits. I always appreciate input into these columns and I especially want to thank my friend Robert Maxwell for a couple of nice notes I received from him recently.

Regarding one of my articles on remembering passing friends and acquaintances, he added that he also made one of those Honor Flights to Washington D.C. about two years ago.

“It was one of the most delightful and emotional experiences of my life,” he related.  He also told me of others from here who shared that honored experience. They included Edwin Fore, Jack Lufkin, Joel Day, John Garrard, Elwood Barden and Haskew Miiddleton.

He also brought to my attention an error I made about the military plane on display here for several years. I referred to that plane as a “fighter” while it was, indeed, a “trainer plane.”

Robert said he was also under the assumption that the plane was flown by a man from Canoe but full details were not clear to him.

In my listing of some attorneys in that column it was interesting to learn that he, J.R. (Bob) Tucker, Douglas Webb and Brooks Jones, son of First National’s Mr. Johnny Jones, were law school contemporaries in the late 1940s. Tucker, a native of New Jersey, married Catherine Goldsmith. She was the daughter of R.L. (Dink Goldsmith) a successful Robinsonville farmer. Webb, who was from a well-known family here, was a successful Judge following his law practice.

I appreciate so much receiving input, and corrections, for the column. It is also good to know there are folks out there who read us each week.

I would like to congratulate our good friends at Venture Oil and drilling for bringing in two more producing wells in our area. They are regarded as one of the most productive drilling companies in percentage of wells brought in in lower Alabama. The Rue Mason family heirs, the Alabama Department of Corrections and many others owe a debt of gratitude to this excellent firm.

Next week we will have more news of Atmore’s people, places and events.

“….yes, it always whispers to me…those days of long ago…”

Lowell McGill can be reached at exam@frontiernet.net.