October. 17, 2006

The Abbreviated Season

In Southern California, autumn arrives with a different personality each year. Two years ago it blew in with hot devil winds, brush fires, drought and destruction. That is not uncommon enough.

Last year it was not even memorable. It had a bland personality. All I recall is that it was unusually hot until just before Halloween, when the temperature dropped dramatically, and there was suddenly one hour less of daylight. The �trick or treaters� scavenged in warm sweaters and darkness.

This year�ah, this year autumn arrived early and deliciously seductive. It crept �actually it seemed to flow in softly, and although it is pretending to linger, one morning soon we will awaken to a landscape stripped of its goldenness, by a harsh wind suddenly funneling through the canyons down into the valleys below. That is the one thing you can bank on in this area. The Santa Ana winds. Oh, we often think, �we have missed them this year.� But we know better. They are just in hiding. Waiting to catch us off-guard.

There are four seasons, but for me, only one quickens my senses and awakens memories which stir my soul. It is the abbreviated season. The one we watch for as hushed children on tiptoe anticipate the arrival of Santa on Christmas. So we catch a glimpse of gold and exclaim �look the leaves are turning!�

Bulky sweaters return to replace light summer clothing. Sandals are boxed away to make room for all weather oxfords and boots. Our closets display a complete exchange of their contents.

The crisp air stirs more than leaves. When autumn awakens the senses, age does not dim the long ago treasures of�

Unhurried walks, crunching musky leaves underfoot;
Hidden acorns popping under the weight of each step;
Wood smoke from an unknown source scenting the air;
Raking leaves; bonfires;
Roasting marshmallows and watching sparks spring into the darkness over flickering coals;
Golden days of anticipation for special times ahead�.days warm enough to run and twirl and be exhilarated with the outdoors;
Neither hot nor cold�days of heaven on earth.

It seemed to me.

Winter comes too quickly. Lasts too long. Puts a damper on Spring�which is always slow to arrive. Spring is a nice relief from winter. But it pales beside autumn.

The long days of summer are a mixed bag of leisure and heat, sun and storm; often extending way beyond its legal limit. Robbing the allotted time set aside for�

The golden�abbreviated season.

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