Today felt to me like the season's first shot of pure, undiluted autumn weather. Not that elements of autumn haven't been around these last weeks. Just that this day hit the nail on the head -- looked like autumn, felt like autumn, smelled like autumn. The real item: bright sunshine, passing clouds changing blue skies in dramatic ways. Cool, even brisk. And color everywhere, a sudden, drastic leaping past the gradual, mostly low-key display we've had to this point.
This last weekend brought periods of heavy rainfall -- a scarce commodity in recent weeks. Periods of rain, periods of sun, insistent breezes, and days growing undeniably shorter. The result: a sudden explosion of color, brilliant and vivid. Everywhere, all over the landscape. A blossoming of autumn, practically overnight. Meaning any folks who were thinking of driving north this coming weekend are going to get an eyeful.
A day like this comes along, I remember all over again how much I love this time of year, how good this season feels (despite the waning hours of sunlight).
So I made the trip into town around midday, did what needed to be done -- gym, errands, all that. Came back home, was about to sit down, get some work done. Late afternoon sunlight poured through the kitchen and dining room windows. I got the impulse to step outside, did so. It was warm enough, the sun intense enough, that it occured to me some plants might appreciate a splash of water. I picked up the garden hose, walked over by the tomato rings, where a spider web, newly spun across the side of one of the rings, caught the light in a way impossible to miss, its owner planted right in the center. A big, beautiful creature, yellow and black.
Damn, that kind of thing gets me excited. (Aren't you glad you don't have to live with me?)
******************
Not That You Asked Dept. --
Currently in residence in my CD player:
World Without Tears -- Lucinda Williams
End of the Century -- Ramones
Fever In Fever Out -- Luscious Jackson
A New Stereophonic Sound -- Hooverphonic
Super Session -- Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Steven Stills
rws 7:47 PM [+]