Just like years ago

No, nothing is like it was years ago.  We didn't have streaming news 24/7, mobile phones, and cars the size of busses. But we did have Dick Tracy's wrist TV, and Star Trek communicators.

Sure there were dangerous times when I was a kid, too. I remember the assassinations of JFK  and Dr.  King. There was violence and the Cuban  Missile Crisis.  

In addition to fire and tornado drills, we also practiced ducking and covering in case of atomic bombs.

Yes, we had flu, then, too--and chicken pox and measles and tetanus.  Kids died of appendicitis, and tractors crossing downed power lines. 

But these are different times, now. Kids now know much more uncertainty than we did.  What will the world be like for them in 10 or 20 years?  The climate crisis is accelerating. Will there be more outbreaks of plagues and diseases?  More gun violence? More division and fascism?

It is not hard to imagine dystopias. But it is also possible to imagine a better, more compassionate future.

How many Octobers have you seen?  I don't think I have ever seen a more colorful fall,  and the clarity of the light!   For a moment, things seem hopeful. 

People are getting flu shots and boosters. 

We don't take our rights for granted. Democracy is at stake in the midterm elections, and early voting is at an all-time high.

The Halloween ghosts and pumpkins seem especially festive this year.  And the rain of red and yellow leaves on the tree lined streets is indescribably beautiful. 

Raking leaves on the parkway, I saw the little kids across the street helping their dad with the leaves.  There was much raking and laughing.

 The kids were running and jumping in the giant piles of leaves. Yes, just like I used to do, just like years ago...

the most beautiful weekend ever

 

 

 

 

This may be one of the most beautiful Octobers, and this may be the most beautiful weekend ever.

I have never seen the maple leaves so red!   All the trees, the bushes, the leaves --the colors--reds,  and oranges, and yellows.  And the light, the clarity of the blue sky.  

Yes, there was snow or flakes of snow a few days ago, and almost freezing temperatures overnight.  But highs in the 70's  forecast for this weekend!  A wonderful weekend to be outside.  Don't put away the summer chairs. 

And the resilience of hope, in the new bivalent vaccines.  Waiting to get my booster at Walgreens, I  met a mother and daughter ahead of me, getting the booster and the flu shot, too. Two red band aids on their arms!  I feel invincible, the girl said.

 

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The Hunter's Moon

 

Which full moon is the most beautiful? They are all beautiful to me.  But the full moon through the clouds tonight as I am writing this--what a sight to see!

Look up. These words are a finger pointing at the moon--these words you are reading, on screens, on phones or tablets or laptops

This post is made possible by Ada Lovelace and Alan Turing,  who envisioned computers; and Margaret Hamilton, who wrote the code for the first Apollo mission to the moon.  Also, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates, and many others who saw the possibilities of a connected world,  a world we live in now.

Did they too look up at the moon?

This first full moon after the Harvest moon of the September equinox is called the Hunter's moon. 

Our ancestors saw this moon.  They knew this time of year, when the dark comes early, and the birds and animals leave for warmer places.  Soon, frost and cold. Soon, the thinning of the trees, the wind and snow, the hunger.

They too, knew wonder and uncertainty. They too looked up at the Hunter's Moon. 

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October Colors

 

 Like the weather, we too change with the seasons. Cool mornings and more colors in the leaves. Now, we get out the jackets and sweaters. 

This fall, what colors appeal?  The yellow leaves, the indigo sky of early evenings,  these are timeless favorites.

And this year?  The dark green of the leaves of the squash vine in the compost bin, the yellow-orange squash flowers, the contrast of purple morning glory flowers intertwined.

And the deep magenta of pokeweed berries. The vibrant reds of the maple leaves.  The brownish yellow-green of oak leaves before they change, the color I call burnt olive, and some used to call avocado green. 

Remember harvest gold?  Sunset orange?  

This year, Pantone Color Institute fall forecast includes orange tiger and samoan sun. 

 Who comes up with the names of the fall fashion colors? 

Maybe you have some fall favorites, too.  Like that pumpkin spice color that's everywhere now.   

Nature wears them all so well!    Celebrate the season of colors and layers--and the full Hunter's Moon...

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