Have you ever been to a Mule Rodeo? May I recommend the experience to your bucket list; it is something you won’t forget.
The only Mule Rodeo I am aware of is in Winnsboro and takes place this year on October 17 as part of the annual Autumn Trails Festival.
No horses are allowed to participate in this event— only mules. And they can be a little “mule-headed”, especially about barrel racing. And some don’t enjoy getting too close to frightening objects like a swinging rope upon which dangles some brave person with aching arms waiting patiently to be picked up by his partner- in-crime in the event Monkey In A Tree.
To me, there are certain activities that belong to different seasons. But everyone knows there are certain things that belong to fall, such as football, rodeos, and certain community events.
New Boston will be celebrating Pioneer Days this month from the 14th to the 17th with everything from a car show to live music to a rodeo and much in between.
Gilmer will be hosting their annual East Texas Yamboree during the same dates and will also showcase livestock events as part of their lineup.
Some towns host fairs centered around items for which their community is famous such as the Black-Eyed Pea Jamburgeree and Uncle Fletch Festival in Athens, or the Hot Pepper Festival in Palestine.
But I have to tell you that one of my most favorite things to do this time of year is relax with a cup of coffee (or hot cider if I have it) of an evening, listening to the crickets compete with my instrumental playlist of soft 1940’s music, and enjoy that cool evening air which I have missed since early spring.
Fall has some lessons it has taught me too.
Remember when Jesus told His disciples in John 12:24 that, “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Fall is so much a part of that lesson. The plants that have faithfully provided a harvest die back, but not before they have produced a seed—many seeds.
It is interesting that in order for things to grow, it seems something always has to die. Sometimes what dies is self—as in Paul’s admonition to die daily. But sometimes it is something outside of ourselves that we don’t even think about, such as the plants that provide our harvest.
Either way, fall is a delightful time for remembering what we have enjoyed throughout the year and what we have learned. It is a time for gathering what we have planted and tended, be that physical or otherwise.
It’s a time to enjoy the fruits of our year’s labor with friends at Pioneer Days and rodeos, and button up our projects for the year until the time of new growth, and the seasons start over again.
So here’s to your harvest, may it be plenteous, and may you have many friends with whom to share it. For after all, there is no harvest like that of friendship. It will keep you warm like a good fire all the winter long.
Betty Simpkins
