Shifting from Autumn
to Winter very soon....

   We have had a very unusually warm Autumn here in the Northeast United States. Today for example it was 62 degrees Farenheit, very welcome because it allowed us all to work on our leaves, that suddenly fell all at once with storms and wind and rain. Some days it is raining leaves, with all the colors swirling around and around.

Autumn Colors in the Hamptons

   We will transition into Winter very soon, but it is always a gradual process, for not even the tide comes in all at once. Generally cooler days, turning gradually colder, less sunlight, as things begin to retreat for the Winter. Even so, I believe here we have only had one real frost, and the temperatures remain above freezing, unusual for this time of year.
   One thing I noticed was that we had some warm days, followed by a brief and sudden cold snap, while the leaves were still on the trees and just starting to turn color. I made note of this, because when that happens, the leaves die on the tree, suspended in whatever state they were in at the time of the cold spell, like being freeze dried. So what I am able to see, and will cherish throughout the winter, are some trees, particularly the oaks, that will retain their leaves. Some are a darkish brown color, but others are red, as they were just starting to turn, and now remain on the branches. Only a stiff wind or storm would make them come down now.
   So at least some trees will not appear barren this winter. What a treat to the eyes and the senses and a sense of the aesthetic.
   The light of course is fading, and sunset gets earlier each day. But the good news is that somewhere within the first week of December, things will go stationary, and then sunset will begin one minute later. And although the Winter Solstice will occur later in the month, the solstice in this case is a day where light and dark are of equal value, not necessarily the earliest sunset, which some people may not understand. So soon the Sun will make its journey back towards Spring time!
   Next time it will be time to look at how the Winter season affects our bodies and health so we can prepare and be healthy and fit and happy!

No Leaves in an Autumn Sky

Until next,
Maery