I think I took another inadvertent vacation from column writing. My regular readers will likely remember that I tend to do this around this time of year. If you read the annual Hunters’ Guide published by this newspaper, you have probably realized that I am married to one its major contributors, Macy Ledbetter. Macy is a wildlife biologist who works all over our great state and a beyond (paraphrasing Buzz Lightyear, here). If you are a hunter or are related to one, you know deer season is just around the corner—so it logically follows that this is the busiest time of the year for anyone in the wildlife business. Since we have a family wildlife business, all of us get to be busy! That is my excuse this time—and if I skip a column again, it will likely be the same excuse.Meanwhile back at the ranch…I am so, so, so very much enjoying the gradual onset of Fall. Regular readers will also recognize that I love every season that is not Summer. I love summer for the first week or so of ACTUAL Summer, which begins around the third week of June. But after about the first week, I begin to realize it will only go downhill in terms of scorching temperatures and dry weather. When the autumnal equinox arrives around the third week of September, I start feeling as if I am coming back to life. The angle of the sunlight noticeably changes and its color in the early morning and late afternoon change, too. One of my favorite things this time of year is that pecan bottom just South of the San Saba River on the west side of highway 16—especially in the afternoon. It is a beautiful sight anyway, but when that golden afternoon light slants through the trees, it is breathtaking. I would like to thank whoever owns that orchard for providing me with that experience several times a week.I have found a new visual feast, but you will think I am silly—until you have tried it. Go to the new carwash around sunset and wash your car in the automatic carwash stall. Now watch the sunset through all that water and soap. My favorite parts are the rinse after the second soaping and then when the clearcoat rinse arrives. The first provides cascades of rippling color as the water breaks up the colors of the sunset, then the clearcoat suddenly breaks the sheets into a million tiny droplets. Add in an ice-cold Dr. Pepper and a salty snack and you have small town entertainment at its best. And even the super deluxe carwash is cheaper than a movie and popcorn!!When I was in college, my music appreciation teacher told us that Debussy was “water music.” She would tell us to close our eyes while we listened and imagine the music as water flowing over us like a warm shower. I thought she was kind of nutty, but in a very cool way. Maybe I should take some Debussy to accompany my next carwash!The point is that you can find beauty to behold in so many places in everyday life. All of us get overwhelmingly busy—it takes a little special effort to notice the beautiful and joyful little surprises. Let me know what you find! SpringCreekArtsGuild@gmail.com