Until
now, I have never lived in a place where there has been a subtle transition
from summer into fall. I am familiar with t-shirt weather, and trees covered in
green, abruptly followed by bare branches and a coat requirement. The
difference 1,200 miles east makes.
The
highway that I used to drive in OKC, is the same highway that takes me to work
each day. I-40 E. Many times, on my way to work, it felt as if I was on a
subdued roller coaster; its tracks taking me through a kaleidoscope of fall
foliage. With wide eyes, I would have to remind myself to refocus my attention
to the highway. Day after day, I half expected to see all of the leaves
simultaneously fall to the ground. They didn’t. They only kept changing into
bright yellows, oranges and burning reds. Then after several weeks had past,
the Japanese Maple in the front yard finally covered the ground in a
colorful carpet. First full fall transition, check.
