Porch notes October 5th

It is warm and muggy on my front porch this morning. There is no breeze and I can feel the moisture hanging in the air around me.  The smell of earth and leaves is just detectable and is a reminder to me that the short autumn season is in mid-stride. The sky is overcast. In the quiet of the morning, the soft, diffused sunlight reflects in the morning dew and creates a calm, restful space for the day to begin. The peacefulness begins to trickle through me, as I settle into my chair and start the slow process of recharging my spirit after a long week.

The rain last night has left everything damp and musty. But unlike a summer morning, the heavy, damp air is void of annoying bugs that would zip around my eyes and ears looking for their morning meal. This morning I can sit comfortably, enjoying my coffee and the beautiful, autumn scene before me.

The trees continue their valiant attempt to retain their dignity though some have lost the battle. The weaker trees stand naked and resigned to the coming of winter while the oak and birch trees struggle on to keep their colorful fall wardrobe intact. As I look out across my yard, I notice one particular tree.  It stands on a small knoll, just across the narrow blacktop road.  As best I can tell from this distance, it is a tall, proud maple.  There is an almost perfect circle of fallen leaves littering the ground around its trunk.. The maple holds tight to the leaves that continue to give it shape and fullness but this is in sharp contrast to the bare trees around it. The muted rust color of its remaining leaves seems to impart a sadness that the season is coming to an end and its energy to resist is waning.

 A blue jay alights on my porch railing just a few feet away. Seeing him up close reminds me of their beauty but then he squawks I remember that they are still the loud, obnoxious bullies in the yard. As suddenly as it appears it disappears again into the sky.

 Squirrels are busy running here and there, along a power line, up a tree trunk, down a telephone pole. For all their activity they don't seem to be accomplishing anything. I know that feeling.

It is time for me to tear myself away from this site and get busy with my own chores. I'll take one more moment though, just one more deep breath of the morning air, just one more moment to enjoy the yellow-green leaves of the birch tree and to watch the drops of water linger on the tips of the crab apple tree branches... But now the moment has passed, truly enjoyed as all moments are meant to be.