I’m working on something that’s not quite up to my typical blogging standards (Read: lazy and haven’t finished it yet), so here’s a quickie.
Consider it a footnote to last week’s weather post.
There’s a row of maple trees that line the street between the convent where I work and the hospital where I don’t work:
I confess that I have not paid proper attention to these trees all summer long. Now I’m like a stalker, taking their picture at least twice a day.
Yet despite this glorious view, yesterday I overheard two people talking:
“Has the sun peaked out yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Ugh. I hate this gloomy weather.”
It’s true. It rained all day yesterday and was quite overcast.
But on my way home from work, I saw this:
I stood there — in the rain, mind you — and stared in wonder. Have you ever seen such a glorious masterpiece? On a sidewalk?!
I tried counting the number of Crayola crayon colors represented, but I ran out of crayons.
After giving the display proper reverence and adulation, I continued walking. Then turned back to take a picture because I nearly forgot.
Clearly, the people complaining about gloomy weather were making a fundamental error. Rather than looking up, they should have looked down!
Keep that in mind, friends. Even in the deepest gloom, beauty can be found. And it might be right under your feet.
Today’s weather: SNOW!
I tried to take a picture, but it’s a little faint. Trust me, that hazy bit you see is the real thing.
I got off work early today and in my mailbox was a book I ordered from Amazon. (Now that’s what I call timing.) So please excuse me while I brew a cup of tea and settle in for a good read.
Happy October, friends. It’s gonna be a beauty…
Feeding on Folly 
The leaves are gorgeous! Ours haven’t really started turning yet but soon I hope!
Don’t know if Illinois does this, but MN provides a Fall Color map, and you can sign up for color updates. Right now our area is listed at 75% color. No idea how they figure it, but whoever thought it up was a genius!
Nice trees and leaves ….
Kind regards,
Thank you, Rob. It is indeed beautiful!
Thank you for sharing those radiant colors! Most of us don’t have Crayolas like that near home or work. Even here in Colorado, the changing leaves are mainly in the mountains, and only for a weekend or two (which means half the state drives up to see them all at once – ugh). I hope you get a few weeks of fall weather before the white stuff moves in for good.
Thank you, Dave!
We used to live in Colorado and the mountains are quite lovely. Though as you point out, not as colorful. When we first moved here I couldn’t help but notice the wide variety of trees – evergreen, oak, maple, birch… the list goes on. All the makings for a humdinger of an Autumn!
Waiting for the color changes in the mountains (Mt Lemmon) but it’s glorious having the windows open, at least until mid morning.
Mt. Lemmon is beautiful, though I never saw it in the fall. I bet it’s spectacular!
I love the hiking trails up there, perfect this time of year. Last year’s October hike I called Chasing Red October. Wish I could attach the pictures I took up there. Haven’t been on the trail up there yet this season.
I need to start naming my hikes — you’ve inspired me!
Out here in CA, it’s 80 degrees with a chance of forest fires … I’m moving to your town.
We have two guest rooms, clean sheets and plenty of extra towels. Stop by anytime!
Love the leaves – you are so right about the uncountable number of colours!
I’ve noticed the same thing in my woods – after the first snow storm (10 inches of snow) and before the second snow storm (5 inches)!
Oh my! It’s still snowing here and so far none of it is staying. Nothing to shovel yet!
Nothing like a rainy fall day and beautiful leaves with a good book and a cup of tea! Out here in So. California the only thing fall means is high winds and wildfires!
Northern AZ has those issues, but they never seemed as bad as CA. Stay safe!
I see some burnt umber.
Yes! And I’m pretty sure I detect a raw sienna and even a periwinkle.
Thanks for playing! 😉
Glorious footpath view.
You could make some glorious art with it, I’m sure!
🙂
Fall is such a colorful and lazy time of year. Enjoy your new book!
Fall is so fleeting, we have to enjoy it while it’s here. And yes, the book is good!
Confucius was onto something. We’re having nice colors this year too.
Sometime I’d like to revisit Portland and make it for the Fall. I can believe it’s beautiful.
It can be pretty nice in the fall. I think Minnesota actually has more colors than we do.
Fair warning: I am stealing the sidewalk photo. Don’t try to talk me out of it. In fact, it’s already done. Carry on.
*gasp*
Will it be featured in a blog post? Will it be turned into wallpaper for your guest bathroom? Or will it be used in planning your new wardrobe, beings how you’re an Autumn?
Color me Intrigued.
Be patient, fair maiden…
You are so right! Beauty can be found if we only look. Those trees are breathtaking, as is the sidewalk masterpiece!
Nearly all the leaves are gone now, but I still think the trees are beautiful. And now we have a clear view of the river, so beauty can always be found!