Not Atypical, Always Odd

A Flicker Visit

Autumn is officially here in my little microclimate of New Mexico.  We know that because we’re getting flocks of migrating robins and our winter residents, most particularly the flickers and juncos, are moving in.  These latter will share space with the thrashers, doves, sparrows, and finches that stay around all year.  We’ve seen the occasional scrub jay, coming in from the more arid regions to forage.

Temperatures have taken to going back and forth between daytime highs in the 80s F to mid-40s F at night.  Some leaves are changing, but we don’t usually get the brilliant reds and oranges common in the areas “back East” where I grew up.  More often there are drab, drooping yellows that make the landscape look tired, ready for a good winter rest after the battles with Spring’s violent winds and Summer’s brutal heat.

Overall, the view out my window is mostly green still, with splashes of color from the surviving flowers.  There will likely be green until we get hit with a killing frost, which could occur any time now, through November.  The mulberries (an import, much loved by landscapers several decades back) often keep their dark green leaves until the frost, when they dump heaps of still green, slightly frozen leaves straight down, sometimes smothering cars parked along the curb.

And me?  I can’t say I particularly miss those hot days in the summer, especially the long weeks where we rarely dipped below 100 F and going below 105 F was a reason for feeling relieved.  Autumn is actually the easiest season here, although it is far too short.

I’m writing, mostly longhand, as I work my way into the complexities of my current story.  Overall, I’m enjoying it, although there are a few intricacies that are eluding me.  I actually like the process of exploring where the story is going as I write, and will simply revise my earlier parts to make sure everything fits.

Off to contemplate and scribble…