I have come to appreciate a slower pace.

It鈥檚 nice when I don鈥檛 have to set the alarm clock, rush through breakfast and put on tight shoes.

I like it when I can rub my hand across my chin and make a conscious decision whether I should shave or not today.

If I鈥檓 just going to be alone in my home office all day, maybe even a shower is optional.

It鈥檚 also nice when the season makes a gradual, calm transition as well.

This last weekend, fall just seemed to stroll in quietly, standing off in the corner at first so we barely noticed it was here.

No rush to scatter leaves across the lawn or dump chilly rain, just stretching and yawning and dragging a few clouds across the sky, not quite ready to go to work yet.

Everyone seemed to be aware that this might just be one of the last nice weekends and they were out in the parks and the playgrounds.

This is was a teaser weekend that grabs first-time soccer families and pulls them in.

As the parents sit in their lawn chairs in shorts, sweaters and sunglasses they watch their kids running up and down the field in the fresh air and sunshine, outside with other kids and they are happy they made the decision to get their kids involved.

They relax in the fall sun and meet and chat with other new parents.

They have no idea that six weeks from now, the rain will be blowing horizontally across that same field and the accompanying wind will be sucking the heat from their thermal mugs and no attempt at layering clothing will keep them warm.

But the kids won鈥檛 care and they will still be outside in the fresh air.

The perfect mix of sun and clouds on this first fall weekend was an invitation to walk, jog, picnic, or start winterizing the yard.

Should I take the cushions off the patio furniture or maybe wait a bit and take the old truck to the last car show of the year at the high school?

We鈥檒l all be hunkered down soon enough so don鈥檛 waste the good days. At least that鈥檚 what McGregor says.

A Day at the Park

Wheel chairs, roller blades, sandals, sneakers,

Barefooted giggling hide and seekers;

Dog feet chasing 鈥檆ross the lawn,

No one sees the leash is gone.

Food spread out on picnic tables

All homemade treasures, no store labels,

Some relaxing in the sun,

Some have come to bike or run.

Rolling, strolling, sleeping, eating,

Tai Chi, talking, writing, reading;

Busy day from dawn til dark,

An Autumn Sunday in the park.