Last week’s market got rained out. And it wasn’t the warm summer downpour that we’ve held multiple markets in, but rather a bone-chilling rainstorm that made the few vendors and TLC staff members that were there tremble under tree cover in hopes it would pass quickly. No such luck.

This was a pretty clear signal to me that the temperature was really, really dropping for real, and that summer was over will fall well on the way, whether I like it or not. I know, I know, fall means pumpkin spice lattes and scarves and apple picking, but for some reason, fall never really gave me those warm fuzzy feelings. I think that reason might be that for most of my life, fall has signified the end of summer–laying out in the grass, camping, grilling outside–and the beginning of, well school. That meant mostly staying indoors all day and going home to get work done.

Now however, since working at The Land Connection, fall is seeming to signal something else that combines the pleasant weather with the time for learning–our fall workshop series. Because farmers and gardeners have more free time as the season winds down, it is the perfect time for us to host workshops and trainings. But of course, because of the nature of the material, these events are held outdoors on gorgeous farms. And instead of being stuck at a desk, we get to go out in fields or arrange gorgeous flowers, or prepare cut logs to grow mushrooms.

So fall doesn’t quite bring that feeling of dread of tests and fluorescent lighting so much any more. In fact, I can’t wait for classes to get going.