For many years, autumn has been my favorite season, though I guess spring has been gaining ground in that regard. In any case, summer and winter sure ain’t contenders, as I’m not into sweating like a pig nor freezing my balls off.
What is it that puts autumn at the top? Well, the coolish daytime-high temperatures of many of its days please me just fine. And I’m influenced, I believe, by the fact that I’m an October baby. It seems logical to be a fan of the season during which one was born. Actually, I wonder how much truth is in that statement. I’m not sure.
But what I like the most about fall is tree leaves changing color, a spectacle I can’t get enough of. I feel sorry for folks who live in sections of the globe where the extravaganza isn’t staged. In a very real sense, they are being cheated. Many of the deciduous trees in my area have been doing their morphing thing for several weeks, and are looking mighty fine.
I live in a tidy, oldish and unusually hilly neighborhood, part of a town located close to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. In an attempt to keep my bod in halfway-decent shape, I go for walks in the hood fairly regularly. A stroll along the streets two Thursdays ago was a most lovely one. The temperature when I left the house at about 11:00 AM was 57°F (14°C), which was a little lower than it would have been if I were in charge of things, but perfectly acceptable nonetheless. What’s more, the sky was painted a vivid blue, with wads of clouds scattered here and there along its lower regions. I examined the sky closely throughout the walk, since the heavens above almost always are worth looking at and admiring. I’ve been semi-negligent about doing this for much of my life, and recently have tried to become more attentive. A walk I took and wrote about a few months ago got me thinking along those lines.
The color transformations on the Thursday in question knocked my socks off. Shades of orange, gold and cranberry, among others, lit up the neighborhood fabulously. I was particularly drawn to the trees laden in both orange and gold hues. They knew they were something special and proudly showed off their wares. But not boastfully. That’s how confident and assured they were about themselves. The mixture of those colors got to me in a deep way. Not only was it fiery, almost paradoxically it was mellow too.
By the time I arrived home, I had hiked nearly two miles, farther than I was expecting to. Tree leaves with mesmerizing powers had kept me on the streets. Sad to say, the multi-color show will have reached the end of its run by late November, if not sooner. That’s the way Nature rolls.
In 1972, Van Morrison, the singer-songwriter who at age 80 is still going strong, laid down the tracks for Hard Nose The Highway, an album that was released the following year and whose awkward title refers to the importance of trying to persevere through hard times. There are some top-notch tunes on Hard Nose. Maybe the best is Autumn Song, a Van composition that instantly carries me away, so sweet and relaxed is it. The best time and place to listen to Autumn Song, I believe, is late on a fall night, indoors with the lights turned off or way down low. But, with few exceptions, any hour of any day at any location will do just fine. The recording is more than 10 minutes long, by the way. Autumn Song doesn’t overstay its visit, though, because it’s a total charmer. Here it is, anxiously waiting for you to click on the Play button.
Yeah, Another Blogger 
Very nice. Thank you.
I do miss the colours of Fall. Here (Mexico) we don’t have it. There are leaves just about all the time. So we don’t have the colours which is a shame.
Plus: no Fall, no Spring. It’s Fall that eventually triggers the miracle of Spring.
Enjoy it
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Alas, many leaves have hit the ground over the last few days. But there are still a decent number of trees hanging on to their foliage. I’m definitely into leaves-gazing this autumn, maybe more so than ever.
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Leaves gazing? Interesting. I do that in Paris, there’s poplar trees on the banks of the Seine. I can spend a lot of time watching the play of light on the leaves. Doesn’t work as well with other trees…
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Yes, Fall is my favorite for sure. Here is a song called “Falling Leaves” by John Denver. Not exactly about the season, but very worthwhile.
https://youtu.be/Ww5LAlYeK9E?si=KJhW1q1rCwxORNPN
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Thanks.
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Love John Denver. Hopping to the link.
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John was a good guy. Not only was he a great singer and songwriter, but his songs help so much in times of various emotional states, joy, grief, acceptance, appreciation.
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Very true. I even played him on the guitar in the days I thought I could play. 😉
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JD was a big influence on me back in the day. In fact one of his crew was my closest friend for years.
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Is that right? How nice…
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Great post! Since I moved to Florida, I miss the beautiful colors of the autumn in the northeast
Blessings!
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Hi. We’re lucky in my region. The blossoms of flowering trees in spring are gorgeous. And tree leaves changing color in autumn are even better. Hats off to trees!
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I always forget how much I love Autumn until it arrives, probably because I hate when Summer departs with its extended daylight (and we have relatively mild summers compared to the years we lived in the Midwest). I also have begun looking up more often. For one thing, I realized I was missing the Eagles that others were seeing.
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Hi Geoff. Looking up is where it’s at. The skies always are inspiring, no matter the time of day/night.
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Great photos! I’d have a tough time deciding between autumn and spring.
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Both, most years, are excellent.
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I’ve had your post open in a tab for a few days, and now I know why: I subconsciously knew that autumn was coming, and I wanted to save it as a sort of celebration! Granted, we don’t have these beautiful leaves, and our world still is mostly green, but overnight we had our first serious frontal passage, with strong north winds and a forty degree temperature drop by this evening. Now I remember why I love spring, but rejoice just as much in the fall.
With luck, this weather change may bring us a bit of autumn color as well, but it’s just as satisfying to see your beautiful trees and remember the years we got lucky!
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Hi Linda. I hope your area will have a real good display of autumn foliage. Not everyone appreciates this sort of thing, but you do.
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Love that Van Morrison song, it’s been so long since I’ve heard it! I do miss the vibrant fall colors of the east. I often choose fall to go back and visit for that reason.
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Van The Man!
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Though I’m a tank-top-and-flip-flops girl myself–love those star-filled summer nights and warm (not stifling days)–I MUST have seasons. I came to this realization when, on a whim and at loose ends after college graduation, I moved from Michigan to Arizona. I stayed there exactly 4 weeks. 95 degrees in mid-November??? No greenery??? I caught a plane out of Tucson and have remained northward in the beauty of the Midwest and later the Northeast. Wishing you a joyous Turkey Day!
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I’m with you about seasons. Even though I’m not thrilled with summer and winter, I like the variety of four distinct times of year. I’m used to having that variety, because I’ve lived in northeast USA all my life.
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I love your fall leaf pics!
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Hi, and thanks.
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A beautiful, colorful time of year that, alas, leads into a long, gray and desolate season.
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I too am not a fan of winter.
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I have never heard this song and it is wonderful. Thank you! I am a huge fan of autumn- everything autumn- and Van, but I started a little later with his albums so I missed this one.
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Hi. I’m not familiar with many of his albums. Of the ones I know, my favorite is Tupelo Honey. Which of his is your fave?
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I like Moondance and Avalon Sunset- but I just did a search and he has lots of albums—lots!!! I have some catching up to do. Tupelo Honey is lovely.
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Good piece Neil. How good is Va? He’s good. We might have touched on ‘King Harvest’ at one time. Another good one.
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I’ve heard a few tracks from his latest album. His voice is still good, which is pretty amazing, considering that he’s 80 years old.
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I got locked into ‘The Healing Game’ and cant get out
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There could be something in it! I was born in September and autumn is also my favourite time of year. Beautiful post! The colours of autumn are always a welcomed spectacle after the summer! Love the Van Morrison song! Thanks you!
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Hi Sharon. Thanks for stopping by. I’ve always been amazed by Van’s productivity. He has recorded more albums than just about anyone ever.
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My pleasure, Neil! Van Morrison is one of my favourites! And as you have said, he has recorded a load of songs!! With best wishes. 😊
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I like your shared sentiment. You have set the right mood. Wishing you a warm and festive season. 🍁🍂🎶🍽️
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Hi, AOC. Hats off to autumn!
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Autumn’s my favorite time of year too–the trees are still clinging to their colorful leaves where I live–at least some of them–so it’s tempting to just window gaze all day long. 🙂
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If you gaze too long, you might hypnotize yourself!
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A calm and reflective piece that captures the beauty of autumn and the simple joy of walking among changing colors 🍂🍁. The musical touch adds a warm, nostalgic vibe 🎶.
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Thank you very much.
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Autumn is my birthday season I am a poet.. E ven the word “autumn” is beautiful
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Hi, and thanks for stopping by. Appreciated.
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George Ivan Morrison is one of my all time favorite musicians. Thank you for sharing this happy tune.
Happy Fall, y’all.
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Van The Man!
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Always nice to catch just a little more autumn color, especially since Wisconsin’s colors have all but gone. (sigh) Always good to hear from you, my friend!
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Hi. There are still some trees with colorful leaves in my area, but not too many. Winter is nigh!
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You live in a lovely part of the world for these autumn colours! Spring just shades it for me.
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I spent three or four hours this week, raking up fallen leaves!
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