Fall Colours, Autumn Awe

Posted by Susanna McLeod Sep 22, 2009

The leaves on our neighbour's tree have already turned a wonderful reddish-orange colour, the veins standing out in yellow relief. Surrounding tree leaves still flap in their green shades, but it's only a matter of time until their hues change, too.

Though I look forward to summer each year, the popping of new leaves, the blossoming of bright flowers and the aroma of herbs and veggies growing in the garden, Autumn has stolen its way into my heart. It has an aura of renewal, with the beginning of school for kids of all ages, but it also has the serenity of the end, a time to relax and let the summer hustle and bustle disappear.

The fall air is easier to breathe, with a crisp nip and scent of wood burning in woodstoves wafting into the breeze. The rainy days are welcomed after what is usually a dry summer (this year excepted, though, since it was more rain than sun) and the gardens seem to take on a final push in the cooler temperatures. More lush, just before the end, and less bugs to nosh on their final leaves.

Our neighbour's tree is just the advance colour brigade - soon jewel colours of bright red, flaming orange and lemon yellow leaves will be blowing down the street interspersed with still-green and crunchy, dead leaves from other neighbourhood trees. I make the effort every day to absorb the changes, the colours and hues; it'll be another year before it happens again. It is dazzling to the eye.

With the Canadian Thanksgiving just around the corner in a few weeks' time, on October 12, 2009, autumn provides a dazzling display of colour to touch off the celebrationof gratitude.