The End of Fall

At this time of year I miss living in Michigan. The fall leaves have decorated the landscape in hues of orange, red, yellow and spice-brown. Many have fallen to the ground and families are busy with the counterproductive task of raking them into piles only to have their children dive into the stack and scatter their good work everywhere. The parent can’t be too hard on the child. They, themselves, took part in the same sort of behavior at the same age. The wind has turned cold and bites at the last leaves still clinging hopelessly to their branches. Soon the snow will fly. There will be sledding and ice-skating on that pond or small lake after you shovel the snow. Maybe some kids from the neighborhood will get together and play hockey. Living in Canada was not so different. The climates were about the same and the seasonal change was equally embraced. Now I live in a wonderful part of Nebraska which has its own pleasantries. The fall ends much later out here but the snow is usually preceded by freezing rain that makes travel miserable. The few trees around are in a state of shock as a dusting of snow serves warning. They will deposit the last of their haul soon. Even with a rake, the leaf pile is not worth making a plunge. But there is much to appreciate in this friendly part of the land. The people are as friendly as any you will find. And as for the sky, well let’s just say there is more of it. In Michigan it was always overcast with low hanging clouds. Here clouds come and go as if given permission to stay only a short while. Then the sky is wide open and you feel like you can see straight into heaven. Vapor trails from airliners streaking over the horizon are the only blemish on the big sky country. Sunsets are magnificent as the golden orb takes its nightly reprieve and gives way to the star filled night. Both areas are special in their own way. I have had the luxury of seeing them each for their good and bad points. It is easy to miss Michigan when I think about it. After all, I am not there right now. I am fortunate to have a backlog of memories to fill my mind. Sometimes the past is painted in bolder colors than the present. That does not detract from the beauty surrounding me now.