Fall, the Season of Color

I was talking to a Masonic friend of mine yesterday and he told me he was not just sure whether he liked Spring or Fall the best, both are colorful and full of promise. I said to him that for me it was Fall, because the harvest was in and there were so many good fresh things to eat.

As I look out my little home office window, my feelings are very mixed. The day lily plant I can see is mostly yellow with a few remaining streaks of green. The black-eyed Susan's have dropped most of their yellow petals and the plant leaves are turning a burnt orange around the edges. The crowning gleam in my sight is the Maple Tree, its called October Glory and has already gone from green leaves to dark red and eventually they will turn a brighter red before the November winds will strip them from the branches.

Out here in the foothills the Vine Maples turn from green to orange-red or green to yellow with orange-red edges, in either case it is a beautiful sight. One other show-stopper in our yard are the blueberry shrubs, so red-orange they look as if on fire. I mentioned my feelings and they are tugged-at by the wilting leaves on the bean plants and grapevines. I have to remind myself that life lives in a cycle and that during Winter's apparent rest, plants are rebuilding for Springs emergence.

Another reason I love the Fall, are the low-lying clouds which settle in the valley's. The scenes they produce remind me of Taoist Paintings from China's past. Images of mountain tops peaking through clouds as if floating on those very clouds surrounding them. I sometimes watch in wonder as clouds drag by through the stands of Fir, Hemlock and Cedar trees on nearby hills. There is such a quality of Zen philosophy, available for those who seek it, here in our foothills. Living in the moment, the now of time, it becomes easy to feel connected to the rhythm of life and with the creatures we share existence with on this planet.

Sue and I are ready for Winter, we have a good supply of dry wood, a fair amount of food in the freezer and most important the knowledge we've gained from our previous winter experiences. We hope each of you have planned and made ready.