I really wanted to write about my favorite season. Had all sorts of great ideas, observations and insights, but before I knew it, the snow was flying and it wasn’t even the end of October yet!
Damn, I thought. It’s way too early to be inspired by the cold weather. Now what?
Well I tell you what. I’m going to write about it ANYWAY. Take that, Mother Nature. HA!
That’s right. It’s mid-November and we’re going to reminisce about the beautiful fall we had, even if it lasted about four days, and it was roughly just three weeks ago.
Fall kind of creeps up on you a bit. There’s hints of it everywhere in late August and early September, and if you’re paying attention, you notice.
You notice the trees starting to change. You notice a coolness in the air. The new angle of the sun. There’s that tantalizing crispness in the mornings and evenings.
You start seeing the wooly bears crossing the sidewalks. And if you’re me, you stop to have a chat with them.
And then there’s the light! That fabulous fall light. Some of the trees seem to glow from within. It’s simply amazing, takes my breath every time.
I’m not alone. One day while walking the dog, I noticed a man outside an apartment building staring up at a nearby tree in the boulevard. Once aware of me, he told me he was admiring the leaves of the tree. I thought it was amusing he felt the need to explain. I responded with a comment that continued his thought, so he would realize I understood and needed no explanation. I was just happy to discover another tree adorer.
Days later, while driving along a country road, a gust of wind came up and tossed the leaves around in a most festive way. It was as if the leaves were dancing to the wind’s tune. I wondered if anyone else noticed.
On another evening’s dog walk, I found myself so enthralled with the colors and patterns of the fallen leaves that I pulled my phone out to snap a few photos. I didn’t feel the need to explain why to the passers-by.
Another advantage of the fall leaves is that it makes dog poop a lot easier to retrieve. That’s why summer is the lousiest time for this activity, but winter is the absolute best time. I’d explain further, but I’m pretty sure you understand why.
While it’s true that in Wisconsin we can experience all four seasons in one day, if you’re paying attention, you can find the autumn moments and appreciate it’s fleeting nature.
I have no doubt that’s another part of what makes it so special.
Main photo: Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay
Wooly bear photo courtesy of the author.
Dog photo: Brett Hiorns
Lady Lovin Her Life 
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