Autumn Shadows

October is almost over, and I wonder if anyone else feels their spirits falling with the leaves. Right now, a golden world waits outside my window. Hackmatacks, one of the few deciduous conifers, are glowing with shades of gold as they ready for winter. Days of torrential rain and wind have swept leaves from apple trees, and windfall fruit lies under every tree. Most are too bitter for humans to enjoy, but the deer, crows and squirrels have been feasting on them. One tree produces somewhat scabby looking but tasty fruit, and I'm trying to pick as many as I can while they last. Juicy, crisp, and tart, they are a treat far removed from the perfect apples at the supermarket, tastier but not pretty.

Today sunshine is gradually returning after days of rain, but with it the mercury is dropping. Temperatures of 15c are giving way to a cool 8c. Hallowe'en will probably be clear and cold, so the search for warmer, suitable costumes is on. My son and his friends want to be a group of hobo-types. Even as teens, they enjoy trick or treat, and since they know most of the neighbours, we don't have much trouble with vandalism. Maybe the odd egg or two, but nothing too horrid.

Hunting season is upon us once again, so walks in the woods are out for a while. Most people are responsible and follow the rules, but there are those few others so I stay clear until it's over. My sympathies are with the deer though I know too many of them isn't good for them or the community. Driving home the other night, my sister and I glimpsed a doe in the headlights, stepping daintily off the road en route to the lake. We saw another one night as we came into my driveway, eyes glinting as it peered over the hedge. I wish them luck & will be glad when it's over. I know stocking the freezer helps some fishermen in the off season, it's just not for me.

The melancholy of autumn is beginning to make itself known. There is something about the change in the light, the darker days, the leaves falling, bare branches - it all has a sadness. Putting the garden to bed, the death of flowers, reminders of mortality I suppose.

Hallowe'ens years ago, when my oldest son was still with us, come to mind. I think of him often in these dying days of autumn, took the summer flowers away from his grave after Thanksgiving and put some fall flowers there. Now it's almost time for a new bouquet. He liked this season - I have a photo of him standing by the water, autumn colours of trees reflected in the bay, smile as bright as the sunshine.

My youngest son and his friends are having a great time reading Lord of the Rings, keeps him up late some school nights. He avoids starting a new chapter if it's too late because it's just too hard to put it down. I recently finished reading Paris 1919, & for any reader who loves history it is well worth a try. It's a long read & I took a few breaks, but learned a great deal from it. The anecdotes are fascinating and so much of what happened at the 1919 Peace Conference has echoes in current affairs it's a great backgrounder. The Middle East, China, the Balkans, etc., recommend it to any student of history. On the lighter side, just finished Murderers & Other Friends by John Mortimer & it's a wonderfully entertaining, intelligent book. He's best known as the creator of Rumpole of the Bailey for fans of Mystery on PBS, & has a sardonic wit that is touching and laugh out loud funny at times.