How do YOU know when Mother and Father Nature's son, Fall, arrives?

In some areas of the country, Fall brings wonderful colors in the trees.

In other areas of the country, white stuff falls from the sky and interferes with life on the ground.

In other areas of the country, tourists go home, leaving sand and sea for the home Folks.

The children go back to school.

The days get shorter and the nights get cooler.

College football arrives.

Sometimes it's a combination of things.

Since I have spent most of my life living south of Interstate 10, where the sun shines more often than not, my best method for determining when Fall has arrived is when the beautiful pansies arrive at the plant nurseries.

Pansies (Viola sp.) are also known as violets and Johnny jump ups. Since I play the violin, a flower called the Viola has to be somewhat dear to my heart -- LOL.

I love the long days filled with sunshine, so when the shorter days and longer nights get here, I need the smiling faces of the pansies to help me get through my depression. Hope some of the smiling faces in the following slide show will help you get through some days, too. It's called The Power of Flowers!

If you're still a little groggy because you're not yet up and wide awake, simply click here to extend your morning with Mother and Father Nature.