perpetual motion
Editorial By Susan O'Connor, illustration by Brittney Guest

In this business, a perpetual cycle exists. Someone asked me recently, “Are you busy?” and I thought, “I am always busy.” Depending on the time of the month, I can describe almost exactly what my work entails.

As soon as one issue is sent to press, the process begins anew: first week, brainstorming and visualization, basically working to keep the content fresh and of the moment; second week, interviews and feature photography; then writing the content and taking ad photographs; finally three of us edit the entire publication twice! Some months are smoother than others, but by the time we go to press, everyone in the office breathes a sigh of relief. It is like giving birth!

This month, we added additional stress to the usual grind by trying something totally new. In an effort to highlight the upcoming football season at Arkansas State, we set up a faux tailgate on campus with cool tailgate goods from local advertisers. It felt about 150 degrees in the sweltering late afternoon sun as a tribe of volunteers helped us set up the shoot. In fact, it was 100 degrees. But, stretching ourselves was worth the effort. Every month is absolutely full of new opportunities for learning.

I guess life if full of perpetual motion. The invisible hand of time, pulling us, the cycle of night and day, the change of seasons.

This year, more than any other that I can remember because of the brutal nature of our summer, my anticipation of fall is great. I’m dreaming of a crisp morning in a sweater and slippers, sipping steaming coffee on a porch somewhere, a shiver running up my spine from the unexpected cold, and brilliant hued leaves in view. I’m thinking of hiking in Northwest Arkansas and maybe the new Buffalo River Canopy Zip Line Tour at Ponca. Jon Adams, our associate publisher, just experienced it and his description makes me want to give it a try!

Fall also reminds me of a unique annual event in Smithville, the little hamlet in the rolling hills of Lawrence County where I made my home for eight years. The Turning Leaf and Harvest Moon Trail Ride is a two-day event that brings riders from a three-state area to commune around campfires, eat first-class barbecue, dance around a cattle barn and enjoy the truly beautiful scenery astride a good horse. The event culminates with a horseback church service before everyone packs up on Sunday morning.

This year’s ride is set for Oct. 23 and 24. Riders camp along pristine Cooper Creek. I highly recommend it, even for non-riders. For more information contact Aubrey O’Connor at 870-926-6534 or Ronald Ring at 870-926-6546.