Closed For the Season

Another summer gone. The leaves are turning. The color gives depth
to the woods around me, no longer a solid wall of green. Individual trees
stand out on the hills and mountains. Through my window every day I
see the bronze of dogwood, the red of maples amidst varying shades of
yellow and brown deep in the remaining green across the creek.

Frost killed the tomato and pepper plants and blackened the tall basil
more than a week ago. Gone are the barefoot mornings, the freedom from
coats and sweaters, and no more sleeping with the doors left open all
night. No more standing by the garden bed and eating tomatoes warm from
the sun.

I used to dream of hot southern summers when I tried to swim in Lake
Michigan too early in the season. Louis Grizzard once wrote that Chicago
has two seasons: winter and the Fourth of July.

But I am glad to be living where there are four distinct seasons. Not for
me the endless summers of those much-advertised old folks' retreats in
Florida, nor Houston, where I spent last New Years weekend when it was
in the mid 80's and the sidewalks reflecting back the heat made walking
around uncomfortable. They may not have cold winters, but neither do they
have real springs.

Now I shall enjoy the crisp, bright days of fall. Highs are usually 50's
to 60's, falling to chilly 30's or low 40's at night. I won't have to travel
far to see a color display. In a couple weeks or so the trees on the ridges
and mountains should be clothed in all their glory.

One year the fallen leaves completely covered the creek. It was a moving,
undulating carpet of patchwork color. No water visible, it looked as if
one might walk across it. Leaves float down it now, but not since that
particular year has the creek been completely covered.
Every year is different.

When I drive to my small building where my books are stored, a drive
between trees turning and changing and color deepening. I think of the
Zen phrase: "Be Here Now."

Now I shall be here. Now I shall exult in being alive on each of these
beautiful fall days.