Saturday October 25th, 2008
I learned something about leaves and people this last weekend.
Last weekend in Massachusets, I saw the autumn color for the first time in my life. I am 33 and I’ve never been in a colored wood like that. I’ve never seen tangerine leaves or a dark red tree towering over me, or a yellow tree that sheds its leaves and acorns with the morning breeze.
In California, there is no leaf change in the fall. Trees need cool weather, a distinct change in their environment to move from a summer green to a harvest rainbow. Impossible when the temperature hovers between 70 and 85 degrees in California through the month of October. In the east, however, the crisp mornings and deepening chill can (almost overnight it seems) turn a lush fully leafed tree into a shower of scarlett and maroon, peach and tangerine and brilliant yellow.
Sunny days and cool but not cold nights create the most brilliant of colors. Something about sugar produced in the leaves and moisture in the air. If the nights are too cold or too warm the colors will be less vivid. But the color really depends upon the environment, including the summer and spring leading up to the fall.
No matter what the autumn weather is, the winter will still come and the trees will be bare regardless of how brilliant or less bright they were in October. They will still lose their covering and be naked in the snow.
Change comes whether I like it or not. There will always be a winter. But, unlike the tree which digs roots down deep and hopes for the best, my brilliance while I grow is up to me. I can either expect it and create an environment around myself that adapts well to change. Or I can stand stark still and wait for the exposure of the ice.
I choose color.
I almost forget there are those who don’t see the gorgeous autumn colors we see every year. It IS breath-taking.
Your words are beautiful.
Whew. Beautifully written, Sarah…
there are beautiful fall colors up here in my neck of the woods in cali.
Reminds me of a quote I read the other day:
“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round it and pick blackberries.”
Elizabeth Barret Browning
I grew up amidst these leaves and your post made me miss them. The leaves change here but not with the reds of New England.
Kate
I can’t believe this was your first time seeing fall colors. I love fall for that reason. The colors are more muted here than vibrant…I miss the vibrant.
beautifully written sarah!
made me realize how i take all the fall colors we have in tennessee for granted! thanks for that reminder.
Repeat after me:
“I will go to Oregon soon”
“I will go to Oregon soon”
“I will go to Oregon soon”
Love ya, cuz. Beautiful writing!
Such a beautiful description!
My favorite line is…
“move from a summer green to a harvest rainbow”
I love the way you paint your words.
Beautiful picture…did you take it? Wow, it is hard for me to believe you have never seen fall in all its glory! I guess it is the same for people who see the ocean or snow for the first time as adults.