Sunshine on a perfect autumn day! The air smells splendid: of fallen leaves, of the newly-dying garden, of frost-bitten plants and shrubs. Star-studded, clear night skies! I love the words "star-studded".
Celebrating this wondrous autumn season. Relishing the feel of it. Summer is so long-done. Winter is still a few breaths away. Frosty clouds floating round as you breathe in and out. Bare-limbed trees etching still life pictures against the sky. There are still vivid golds, reds, rusty oranges amassed in stunning poses along the roads, trees that are not ready to give in to the pull of gravity. "We will fall to the earth at the last possible moment" these hale-hearty leaves state stubbornly.
The squirrels running back and forth, from home to yards blocks away. Gathering, piling, chattering, arguing, scoffing. Full of fall-inspired fervor to prepare for those long dark days ahead. Will they truly find the treasures they bury now, when the snow has piled into deep clouds of icy-white indomitable hills?
The juncos have returned from their Arctic summer vacations. These little black and white gems of birds dart and flit, back and forth. Kicking the grass and bits of dry detritus out of their way, searching for the perfect seeds and berries. In the snow, they will shine vividly. The American goldfinch males are discarding their bright summer garb for the duller green costume they love for winter cover.
Winter is coming! But Autumn is NOW! Grasp it, hold it, breathe it in, remember it! Love it! Celebrate Autumn!
