I sensed movement outside my window yesterday and looked around, expecting to see a bird. Instead, I saw a leaf falling to the ground. It wasn't the first -- I told you about the leaf that came to call last week -- but it was a reminder, along with the nippiness in the air, that it really is autumn.
Summer has departed, both officially and realistically, taking with it its soaring temperatures. Now, high temperatures are a brief foray into the low-80s, due to make an appearance this weekend or early next week. For now, the daytime highs are ranging between the low- and mid-70s, while nighttime lows are dipping into the low-40s.
October usually brings rain. We need it, but I pray that it comes without the thunderstorms and tornadoes that too often mark the change of seasons from hot to cold and from cold to hot. When we lived in Northern Virginia, October rain was slow, steady, and cold! By the last day of October, the last leaf had fallen, and by the middle of November, we might well have seen the first snowfall.
Hopefully, we won't see that kind of weather here. I donated my heavy wool coat to the homeless when we were in South Louisiana. There, sweaters and jackets sufficed for very nearly the entire winter, although that particular winter was very cold. I pray that the coat made that winter just a little bit more bearable for someone.
About the picture, it reminds me
of something an Air Force colonel told me our first autumn in Northern
Virginia. I was completely stricken by the beauty of the changing leaves. I'd
never seen such vibrant colors before. He agreed that Virginia has beautiful
autumns but not nearly as beautiful as his native New York autumns. But, then,
he agreed that Virginia has more beautiful spring times with the glorious
blossoms on their fruit trees. I couldn't argue with him on that point.
Written September 29, 2022
No comments:
Post a Comment