I guess I’ll describe myself as fickle about our current season, because I’ve decided Fall is in my favor after all, and, thus is my friend once again. I’ve wavered back and forth with this 2013 Autumn, which is usually my favorite season. This morning dawned a little tardier than expected and there were high clouds when I departed the house, but a glimmer of light and a pale orb was shining down by the time I returned home. It sure was not a baking sun, but it seemed to radiate a little warmth on my upturned face as I glanced toward the sky. The added plus was the mild temps and it was not blustery nor bone-chilling like yesterday. I returned to Council Point Park this morning and it seemed like forever since I made this familiar sojourn to Lincoln Park’s little gem due to the darker mornings, gusty winds and rain which put a kibosh first on long walks, then any walk by October month-end. I really missed my jaunt to the Park, and in anticipation of my walk this morning I crumbed up some stale bread I had saved so that my fine-feathered friends might also have a smile today. I noticed immediately how Mother Nature has been busy with brush strokes from her autumn palette as I wended my way around the Park’s perimeter path. Some of the trees were bare, but most still had their multi-colored foliage. I caught up with some ducks drifting down the Southern branch and twisting bend of the Ecorse Creek. They were all stirred up about something, quacking loudly and the “gathering” was what I was searching for as I walked. I cupped my hand and scooped out some 12-grain honey wheat morsels and threw a sizeable handful into the fray. The noise decibel decreased immediately as they dispersed to grab a nugget of brown bread. I dipped into my bag a second time and aimed for the middle of the group. Soon, I was not the only one double-dipping as my duck buddies were diving and swimming fast and furiously aiming to get a second treat. I swear that a couple of them looked my way expectantly as if to say “Cool … the bread lady is back”; they held their pose momentarily as I tossed the last handful out, then they collectively swam over to or dive-bombed in an effort to reach the remaining morsels. Mission accomplished, I continued on my way. Before I knew it, I had completed the loops and was in the parking lot and pointing toward home. I am trying to enjoy each daily walk to the max as I stride to make my next goal, well aware that soon snow and ice will infiltrate my little walking world, thus prohibiting my morning escape. I leave you with this great quote about living for the moment by Walt Whitman:

Happiness, not in another place but this place … not for another hour, but this hour.
– Walt Whitman