We have arrived at the period in October where I am anxiously checking the weather every day. If a frost is coming, I need to know right away so I can make a panic picking run through the garden for green tomatoes and the last of everything else. We have enjoyed the most beautiful cut flower beds this year. I have been saving seeds to recreate them next spring. We have been spoiled with cut flowers in the house every day – the zinnias and dahlias have been delightful. I plan to make one more cut before the first frost wilts them away for the season.
We are coming up to the last four weeks of football season. The days are getting shorter and winter feels imminent. We are enjoying some cooler temperatures. We just picked up limbs and sticks in our yard and loaded up the fire pit. It is time for bon fires and apple crisp.
Our youngest son is a freshman in high school this year. It was his first time going to the high school homecoming dance. This started with a cute proposal after a home football game complete with props. Our girls are the oldest and this was my first time helping one of our sons order a corsage for a date.
The funniest part of this event was taking our 14-year-old son shopping for the perfect homecoming outfit. He sent me a photo with his inspiration – dressy jeans, cowboy boots, a sport coat and a western dress shirt adorned with a tie to match his date’s dress. This was a “first” in our household. I know nothing about getting a young man fitted for a sport coat. As we embarked on a trip to the Pinnacle Hills shopping center in Rogers, I took reinforcements.
Our youngest daughter was home that weekend from college and was a wonderful help in finding the perfect color of tie to match the dress. Our son has grown significantly but the western sport coats we found in a local store were way too big for him and we did not have time to order something. We happened upon a sale at a department store and found one close to his size. We have a wonderful friend in Elkins who altered the sleeves for him. She is no stranger to these skinny Harris kids and the need to sew and hem adjustments. So thankful for her!
Homecoming is an all-day affair in our small town. The day started with rain but cleared off in time for the students to get their floats ready. The pep rally was exciting, and the football captains got the student section hyped up for the big game. I took our oldest son to town, and we watched the homecoming court get introduced. The parade floats were beautiful, as were all the homecoming maids.
The night of the game and dance, we helped host the annual Elkins FFA Alumni shrimp boil and chili supper fundraiser. This has quickly become an event our community enjoys during football season. We are so thankful to all the people and businesses who sponsored and attended this fun meal. The kids went to town and watched the Elkins Elks defeat the Berryville Bobcats. The following night they went to dinner and a pile of boys kept my husband and I up until two o’clock in the morning. Fun times! I am so glad this homecoming season only comes once a year, neighbor.
Jody Harris is a freelance communications specialist, gardener, ranch wife and mother of four. She and her family raise Angus beef cattle and other critters on their northwest Arkansas ranch. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Jody, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’
