It’s official: I’m in love. No, I don’t have a new crush. This is a long-time love affair. I was just oblivious to the extent of my emotion and attraction for many, many years. For far too long, any inkling I had of my true feelings was explained away. But I can’t deny it any more.

I’m ready to admit that I am in love – with Chenango County.

The realization that I’ve got “a thing” for our corner of the world came as I was driving home last night. I was so caught up in mooning over the way the late afternoon sun illuminated the many shades of green in Mother Nature’s spring lineup, that I’d let my speed slip well below the posted limit.

I was struck, not only with a wave of guilt because of the line of cars behind me, but by the true depth of my connection to this place we all call home.