I’m not sure if anyone around me has noticed, but I’ve been feeling a little giddy lately.

More child-like. Free-er. You know, happy.

NOT that I’m not always happy. . .generally I am. But usually its a sober happy, like ‘hurry and put your shoes on . . . .we’re gonna be late’ or ‘damn it! i just stepped on a lego’ happy. You know. . . .always delighted to be here in this space and in this life. . . .just sometimes. .. . . it has to be qualified:/

While we were driving in the car yesterday, I tilted my head back and belly laughed.

I cracked a joke.

I smiled. I was relaxed.

And also,

I bought something for myself this week. Something extravagant.

And. it. made. me. so. high.

I’m still flying.

Like a little kid, on Christmas Eve. Just waiting in anticipation.

It comes next week, and I’m thrilled.

Quite ridiculously.

So, I’ve been thinking.. . . .What is this that is happening to me?

And it didn’t take me long to realize. . . .it’s September.

The start of FALL, Autumn. . . .my absolute favorite season.

It has completely consumed me. Delighted me, made me remember the beauty and connection I have to everyone and everything.

I’m preparing for Halloween, and buying candles and things to scent my house.

I’m shopping for goodies to fill bellies and finding delights in the produce department.

And gifts are coming to me from long gravelly country driveways. . .

Lined with vines of morning glory and fig trees. . .

Look!

Pears!

My mother in law brought these to me. . .lots and lots of pears.

And it made me smile. Not because of the thoughts of all the things I’d do with them. . .but because I reminded me that every space and every place is wondrous.

Usually, I long for Northern climates and cooler temperatures in Fall.

Dreaming about apple orchards, sweaters, and falling leaves.

But.

I thought.

Pears are like apples. And we have them here!

How lovely!

I could grow my own pears.

That my kids could pick every September!

I could wear lovely brown, green, and orange short sleeve shirts in this hot weather.

I could admire the colors of the morning glories, instead of the falling leaves.

It could be heaven too.

In fact, I think . . it is.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

A little long winded. . .

but that is how I came to decide to make a pear crisp.

This isn’t an actual recipe.

More like very vague instructions.. . .

Because this is the type of thing you make and it always comes out yum.

Add a little more sugar to make it more sweet.

Use a little less lemon juice, if your pears are more firm.

You cut and chop and sip on wine and don’t worry too much about measurements.

It will make you happy.

Just to be in the presence of something so good,

and wholesome,

and perfect.

.

About 8 cups of Pears, diced into bite size pieces

3/4 cup sugar (like it sweet? add a little more, like it less sweet. . .use a little less)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cut up your pears. About 8 cups of them.

2. Toss with lemon juice, salt, and sugar. Pour into a buttered 13X9 inch glass pan. Set aside.

3. In a separate medium sized bowl, combine flour, white sugar, brown sugar, pecans and cinnamon. Stir. Pour in butter and mix well.

4. Place crumbly mixture on top of the pears.

5. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Move to top rack, increase oven temp to 425 and bake 10-15 minutes longer, or until golden brown and bubbly.