Autumn is sneaky. Although I’m always on the lookout for it, always primed for it, it bursts into its ephemeral majesty so quickly that I’m always startled by it, too. A tree that I remember as green from yesterday’s walk is crimson today. A tree that I don’t remember at all has taken up residence on some tantalizing band of the color spectrum between orange and pink. My eyes widen and my heart swells — it’s like falling in love. It has that same seed of sadness, that same prickle of death. The magic can’t last.
I’ve lived in places where there’s little change in seasons, where the mercury moseys slightly upward or subtly downward but the landscape doesn’t refashion itself. There’s an argument for such modesty. It doesn’t demand as varied a wardrobe.
And to have the kind of autumn that I savor here in North Carolina means to be plunged into a winter with just enough cold on the worst days to test your mettle, to denude those trees and turn them skeletal. I have neighbors behind me whose house I can barely make out in July. In January, though, I can almost watch the football games on the big-screen television in their lavishly windowed great room.
But that’s January. This is early November, when the leaves that haven’t yet lost their grip are making a brilliant statement, taking a final bow. Autumn in places that have a real autumn teaches you to live in the moment, to open yourself to the world around you, to pay homage, to pay heed. Fail that lesson and you just might miss the whole spectacle, which can retreat as suddenly and stealthily as it arrives. You’re left with regret. It’s a sorry cousin to remembrance.
— Frank Bruni, from “On a Personal Note” (NY Times, November 3, 2022)
Photo by DK @ Daybreak. 59° F. 6:30 to 6:50 am. November 1, 2022. Cove Island Park, Stamford, CT. More photos from Tuesday morning’s walk here.
Your photo is magical, tell you what!
Laughing. Thank you!
🙂
Just knowing that Frank Bruni finds beauty in these crazy, ugly times, brightens my heart…and your photo confirms that there is a whole lot of gorgeousness in this world..
I know Mimi. Uplifting. Thank you.
Such a “perfect” photo…thought it was someone else’s illustration. See a combination of Walden Pond and a “civilized” stone wall. Thanks for sharing Frank Bruni’s poignant tribute to Autumn–fits so well…we can enjoy your scene and then muse about our own.
Thank you Valerie!
Beautiful capture and reminder. This too will pass. 🍂🍁🍂
Thank you Karen. Yes. Agree
beautiful capture and words from frank
Thank you Beth. It is.
Dark morning with only a breath of horizon light is to start over –new world, new LIFE! I had to hold onto my desk so that (especially) your reflective photo wouldn’t blow me away.
Smiling… Thank you!
Frank Bruni’s expressions about Autumn is really great, I loved so much and the photograph is amazing, best of best…. Autumn fascinated with all these trees… Thank you dear Dave, Have a nice day and weekend, Love, nia
Thank you Nia. I agree
A perfect paean to this beautiful season, and your photo, pal? It captures it all. Pure magic….
What a capture! Even although it is fleeting we have the photos and the memories 🍁🍂
So true Val! Thank you!
Lovely photo, lovely musings.
Thank you Laila!
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Autumn is sneaky … and more!! “— Frank Bruni, from “On a Personal Note” (NY Times, November 3, 2022).”
What a glorious statement this brilliant observer gave us. Crowned by surely one of your best(est) autumnal photos…. That’s a real WOWser!
Thank you so much.
Yes. He’s so talented. Thanks Kiki. Hope u are well.
I’m grateful we live in a world where we have autumns. Not just one, one for every year we live.
So true.
Stunning pic, DK!
Thank you!
Love fall