“Aren’t they beautiful!” says Bill. “They’re just beginning to turn color.”
The autumn leaves of New England are indeed celebrated for their glorious yellows, oranges and reds during the week or two in early October when they flame into brilliant color before falling to the ground to be swept up, bagged and disappear. (Or else to disintegrate into mulch in heavily forested preserves.) I hear enterprising touring companies in England even organize one-week trips abroad to come look. (Although in my view that’s a waste of a cross-Atlantic journey. How long can you look?)
We live three states south of Vermont and New Hampshire, where most of the publicized beauty takes place. So what happens here happens several weeks later. But Bill’s right. (Even though his enthusiasm for the beauty of it is perhaps a trifle premature.) It’s beginning. Now that he’s brought my attention to it, I notice it whenever I step out the door:
It’s also across the way, where our neighbors live, and where it’s even more pronounced:
Should I be glad we”re soon to have a feast for the eyes whenever we raise them upward? Or is there something melancholy in this last gorgeously defiant display before the fading of the year?
I suppose it depends on where you stand on life’s arc and how steady your footing. Now that I’m 83 and — yes, let’s be candid — on life’s downward chronological slope, I can’t help feeling somewhat sad when I see all this dying beauty. And also can’t help hoping I’ll still be around to see it (however sad my feelings) when it returns again and again.
So here’s to years and years more autumn leaves! Bring them on in all their splendor! I’m ready.
ON BEING OLD 
Oooh love love love this post!! Love the colors on fall leaves. 🙂
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Thank you. 😀
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Hello Nina,
I agree with Bill, the leaves are so beautiful, even when they’re just starting to turn colors 🙂 Autumn is my favorite season, but I’ve also felt a sense of melancholy…you explained it so nicely…
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Dear sweet Takami,
You’re fifty years younger than I am! But I”ve already told you you’re a very empathetic person. Yes, you are!!! 😀
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😀 😀 😀
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Reblogged this on maspring37 and commented:
My granddaughter lived for a year in Boston and always raved about the wonderful autumn colours. Now I understand what she was talking about. Thank you .
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And thank you so much for the reblog, Margaret. Enjoy your trip to Ireland, too! 🙂
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Love the gorgeous colors, but I know what you mean. My mother is a healthy 86 but I dread facing life without her
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Then appreciate her every single moment.
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Oh I DO.
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Thank you for visiting my blog and liking my About post. I pray you will come again some time. Blessings, Natalie 🙂
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You don’t have to pray for me to come, Natalie. Although I’m not a particularly spiritual person (and certainly not a religious one), I’ll be right over! It was so sweet of you to pay me a visit back!
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The part about me not needing to pray because you were going to be right over made me laugh out loud.
And I’m so glad too. Hugs, N ❤
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Thank you for choosing to follow my blog! Everyone is welcome here regardless of their beliefs. I do as you can see express mine faith in every post, but I have readers of all faiths or none who choose like you to read some of them.
So welcome aboard. I’m a looking forward to getting to know through your posts. Blessings, Natalie 🙂
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