Crimson Leaves

“I was drinking in the surroundings: air so crisp you could snap it with your fingers and greens in every lush shade imaginable offset by autumnal flashes of red and yellow.” 

― Wendy Delsol,

  Stork

 

My Favorite Tree, Cull Canyon Park

August 26th 2025 

  

Autumn is here. It has felt like autumn began sometime around august 1st. It was a milder than usual summer. We have only had a few days of hot weather, but in general, I could wear long sleeves and not be too uncomfortable. One night, in July, while on the Franklin blvd waiting for the bats to emerge, I was actually cold! Anyway, my autumn leaf guides all point to this being an early autumn, which means the color is already arriving! Ahhhhh... I am tickled to see my favorite tree in the world, showing off an autumn leaf grin. it makes me feel happier inside than I have in months! Just look at that gorgeous tree, putting on it's autumn sweater! There is more to come, so visit often, as this autumn emerges, Especially after September 23rd, when I officially begin my Autumn Leaf Of The day project!

 

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #18/Filling Dark Days With Light

 

“The crisp air and vibrant colors of fall

 can fill even the darkest days with light.”

 

~Unknown 

 

Everything is kinda dark right now. From unprecedented storms, to what might very well be the last election in my lifetime. There is a lot to fear, so I am grateful for my leaves and my birds that help my mind feel rested. I miss my Dylan, we used to have long talks about the things that bothered us. He understood me in a way that was comforting and bridged any language barrier. He always could read my emotions.

 

 

Dancing In September

 

“Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple.”

 
~J.K. Rowling,

  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

 

This year, September 1st, was bright and vibrant with color! From here in Stockton, all the way to Placerville, you can see little pockets of color, much earlier than I have seen in years! Maybe the heat of the summer was good for the leaves. I am not sure, but I am already in the autumn spirit, and that feels really good, because this year, with the national election, everything will be especially stressful. I plan on soaking up all the color I can find, because I am going to need it!

 

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #83

 

“In every change, in every falling leaf there is some pain, some beauty. And that's the way new leaves grow.” 

 
~Amit Ray 

 

Yet another one, but it just fits today. 

 

 

Windy Days In November And Autumn Leaf Of The Day #50

 

“The wind makes you ache is some place that is deeper than your bones. It may be that it touches something old in the human soul, a chord of race memory that says Migrate or die - migrate or die.” 

 

~Stephen King

 

Yes, yes, I know. I used that quote just a number of posts back, but yesterday was like that. We are in November and the wind does something to one's bones. I want to find some real autumn color, autumn is a madness that only lasts a little bit of time, and then the death of a year come.s That makes a difference to me. I was sick for a large part of 2022. We held off a disaster with the midterms, now behind us, but there is unpleasantness in front of us, with Trump's impending announcement, and or, his impending indictment and arrest. God, how I am looking forward to his perp walk. Oh my, I digress. Here is the thing, I want more autumn color but it's like 2022 needs a little more inspiration to bring a little more color. Autumn is in my bones and I am waiting for now.

 

 

~Me

November...

November, n. The eleventh twelfth of a weariness."

~Ambrose Bierce

November

No sun... no moon!

No morn... no noon...

No dawn...

No sky... no earthly view

No distance looking blue

No road... no street... no t'other side way...

No end to any Row...

No indications where the Crescents go...

No top any steeple...

No recognitions of familiar people...

No courtesies for showing 'em...

No knowing 'em!

No traveling at all... no locomotion,

No inkling of the way... no notion...

No Go... by land or ocean...

No mail... no post...

No news from any foreign coast...

No park... no ring... afternoon gentility...

No company... no nobility...

No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease, 

No comfortable feel in any member...

No shade, no shine, butterflies, no bees,

No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds,

November!

~Thomas Hood

It's early November, and the Bay Area is really just getting started on it's Autumn lights. But the trees should be absolutely stunning the next few weeks with Gold, Crimson, Green, Purple and Brown.

In other words... November!

:)

Leaf Of The Day

 

Mood: Happy

Me :)

Just Me Rambling On About Autumn Again :)

"There is always music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it."

~Minnie Aumonier

Just Me, Rambling On About Autumn Again...

I don't know about you, but I love a cool, late summer day, with just a little breeze to it. It gives me a lot to look forward to. Like the sound of the leaves as they begin to change. Soon, in early autumn, when all the leaves are mostly green, their sound will be similar to the here and now, soft and quiet, but as autumn progresses, they begin to make a joyful noise during the increasingly breezy days of October and November. The leaves will turn red, and yellow, and orange and sometimes purple, in their own time of course. Sometimes the color seems to happen all at once, some years it feels like the autumn color will never arrive, but it does eventually, and finally, in late autumn, in December, the leaves will be more and more difficult to find, but the ones that are left, laugh out loud, as they sway on the branches and then fall softly, quietly to the ground. It's a lovely life, fully lived.

But you already knew that. Right?

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 115~ Color

"It's on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly."

~ Claude Monet

I did a lot of black and white photography last week, and while I love it, I can't help but want to highlight all the glorious color I see around me. The garden right now is in a full on outrageous display of color. Purple, yellow, apricot, red, you name it, that color is screaming... NOTICE ME! The leaves on my Japanese Maple is especially vibrant. It was an amazing crimson red for most of the year, but right now it is transitioning into a lovely copper color. Everything is so vibrant and vivid right now, you can almost see an exclamation point next to each leaf and petal.

"If the world really looks like that I will paint no more!"

~Claude Monet







~Me :)

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 110~ Autumn On A Late Summer Day

"I loved autumn, the one season of the year that god seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it."

~John Greenlead Whittier

Look what I saw today. I love it when one season get's so excited for it's day in the sen, that it jump starts things a little early. I do believe California will be putting on quite a show this year! On my list for autumn photography is Plumas, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. Plumas for the Dogwood, Big Leaf Maple and Aspens. Sonoma and Napa for the color of the vineyards and autumn fruits and vegetables. I am so excited, I can almost taste the ripe, juicy delicious pears and apples. Ahhhh! But don't think I have forgotten the coast for some Brussel's Sprouts. A little bacon, a little onion and garlic, some butter and a fine dusting of sea salt. Life Is Good!

I am an easy girl to please.

:)

~Me :)

Today's Link comes to us by way of our friend JR. If you haven't seen his marvelous photography, go check out his photo blog. He is an awesome photographer, and I learn a lot from him! :)

JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/08/apadf6-109.html