Shades of distraction
Every year around this time something happens to me.
It’s a fairly new phenomenon but certainly has become a regular thing.
Growing up in Florida, my only glimpse of autumn was through photos. But during my sophomore year in college my best friend attending school in Boston sent me a birthday card. Inside was a crisp, flattened maple leaf from a campus tree outside of her dorm. It was a rainbow of fall colors I had never seen before sitting in the palm of my hands.
I often stared at it on my bedside table. At the time, it was my only connection to my long time friend. Evidence of how distant and different our worlds had become.
And I wanted nothing more than to be with her to experience the changing of seasons in Boston; any season other than summer. I’d lie down at night wondering what a world surrounded with colored trees would be like. How massive were the branches? What did the air smell like? Did the leaves really crunch beneath your feet?
But now I know.
Over a decade later, Boston is my home.
And every year around this time I sit in awe. Distracted by the chill in the air and comforted by the warm hues in the landscape, I am always drawn outside.
For most people this time of year ignites creativity as the world tickles their senses. But for me, it does the opposite.
The gentle rain and calm winds clear my mind. I find it difficult to write during this season. The changing landscape makes me want to just be. Nothing more. Just close my eyes and take it all in.
It is the calm before the storm, before the bitter cold of winter.
So if I’m a bit more reticent these weeks, I’m probably outside, waiting for the leaves to gently fall and crunch beneath my feet.
Either that, or I’m raking.
Lol! Your awe is so cute! My friend Stace is from South Florida, too and was the same way about fall. Fall was always my fave season as a child because school was starting, the leaves were gorgeous AND we got to jump in the piles & the weather was so pleasant. It was warm enough to wear sleeves but not blazing hot and not so cold you needed a coat. Perfect transitional season.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I am going to be so jealous of you all with your fall foliage! That shot is absolutely gorgeous.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Wow! That is a beautiful fall shot!
October 6th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I always hear how amazing New England is in the fall…it looks GORGEOUS from your photo!
October 6th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Sandy that shot is simply stunning.. beautiful!!!!
October 6th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
What a beautiful photo! This time of year, I feel like the only person who loves the color changes but can’t stand the drop in temperature.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Fall is such a gorgeous time of year, isn’t it?
I love the photo, it’s stunning!
October 6th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Love that picture!! I love everything about fall! Makes me want to make hot chocolate!! LOL
October 6th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
That’s one heckuva photograph. And something else you’re missing, I’ll bet, is the smell of burning leaves in the fall. Some areas, like where we are, for example, allow the burning of leaves one rakes up from the yard. I don’t think you can do that in Boston. But someday, after the baby comes and a new Fall breaks on you, you’ll have to see if there’s someplace near you where they allow the burn. It’s a pleasant smell you’ll never, ever forget.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Beautiful pic! That’s one nice thing about Seattle, lots of Evergreens and very little to rake. but I do miss the colors that we used to get in the Northeast.
October 6th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Beautiful! Fall is an amazing time of year!
October 6th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
your photo is lovely – but I think I’d like some sun please – everyday would be nice
October 7th, 2009 at 12:11 am
That photo is stunning. We lived in Worcester for 3 years, and I absolutely loved the fall. Nothing quite like it anywhere!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Beautiful!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:37 am
So stunning!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:59 am
Beautiful!!! Happy WW!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:15 am
That is so beautiful! I wish we had color changes like that here.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:24 am
That was beautiful! You words were as vivid as the image. I can completely relate to your feeling about this mysterious fall that as Floridians, we don’t understand.
Happy WW!
October 7th, 2009 at 5:36 am
I don’t know if I could ever walk away from that scene. Magnificent!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:10 am
Beautiful shot.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:25 am
That photo is beautiful. I’m a huge Fall fan. It’s my time of year. I ‘m not sure if it makes me contemplative or calm. . . in fact I think it does both. And I like that. I love the colors, I love the way it becomes cool and everything smells so great. I love apples and apple cider and . . . *sigh*
October 7th, 2009 at 7:46 am
What a beautiful autumn picture!
October 7th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Your photograph is so beautiful, and I love your writing about what it all means to you and the memories autumn holds.
Janice.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:13 am
What a beautiful photo!!! You captured the essence of fall in that shot!
October 7th, 2009 at 9:20 am
I love fall! I love to spend a day and head to the mountains when we can. And I hope you’re getting a pass on the raking this year!
October 7th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Raking, LOL! It is truly beautiful outside! BTW, we are apple picking on Saturday (weather permitting) if you’d like to head up to our neck of the woods.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:34 am
That was so stunningly beautiful!
October 7th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Hey, it’s still 95 degrees here in the afternoon.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Gorgeous Photo! I miss fall and the changing of the leaves. I want to live somewhere with seasons again.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:58 am
What a beautiful image. This is my FAVORITE time of year!
October 7th, 2009 at 10:03 am
What a beautiful picture! Fall is my favorite season. I tend to have less motivation to blog as well. There are just so many things to do during Fall that I have to turn to my calendar to schedule our activities.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Sandy that picture is gorgeous!! Fall is my favorite time of year, and it has the same effect on me as well!
~Sassy
October 7th, 2009 at 10:18 am
What a wonderful ode to fall:-)
October 7th, 2009 at 10:22 am
I think that it would be wonderful to be distracted by the chill and the changing colors.
I wish there were a few more changing colors around here.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:02 am
We are so lucky to live here!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Beautiful shot. For the last four years, fall meant endless raking for me too! Our new place has maybe an eighth of the trees we used to have so I won’t be quite so busy this year.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:14 am
That is breathtaking! Love it!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Beautiful shot, I love being outside at this time of year.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:45 am
What a GORGEOUS photo!!!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Lovely fall shot. I love fall but I’m dreading winter.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
W-O-W. I’d be outside too! I thought it was pretty here, but we don’t have trees like that in our neighborhood! Thanks for the beautiful glimpse of fall where you are.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
I remember those colors from my childhood. But that’s where I left them when my parents moved us to Florida…
Beautiful picture.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
That is such a beautiful picture! It is definitely something to be in AWE of!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Fall is one reason that I could never live in a warm weather climate. I would miss the glory of the changing leaves and the crisp, cool air. I would not miss, however, all of the bloody raking.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I enjoyed reading this post, early in the morning when I was having coffee with the cat on my lap. But I got distracted too, and forgot to comment!
Up until a few years ago, I could not enjoy Fall much. I did not see the beauty of rooting leaves and whithering flowers and everything dissappearing in the ground again. Just could not. Until I started blogging, and started to take pictures to go with my posts. And now, I can enjoy it too. But I still prefer Summer and especially Spring! Have fun in your garden. It’s raining here, it’s not very nice to be outside now!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
That is beautiful! We don’t see fall colors like that out here in California.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Okay I will move and be your neighbor! I miss New England SO much. I went to high school in Mass. my freshman and sophmore year at NMH before my fam moved to Long Island and when I was younger we lived in Sherborn and Amherst. Every time we think about new jobs or cities I mention Boston…and it never happens! That is a gorgeous picture…we are trying to make it upto Northampton to see some friends soon but if not I will have them send me a leaf too!
October 7th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
You have made me realized not to take things for granted. I try my best not to but since I live in the DC area and have also lived in NY I’ve taken autumn for granted. I would have never thought that someone would not know of different seasons. This New Years I plan to spend in Cali. I’m excited to spend this time of the year in a warmer climate. It just doesn’t seem right to me. (hehehehe)
October 7th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
You know, as a California girl, I never realized what I was missing with the changing seasons. Now that I live in MD, I can fully appreciate the colorful beauty of fall. I love it. What I don’t love is the Maryland winter. It’s not horrible, but to a CA girl like me, it makes me miss my sunny home. Oh well, at least I can get all into fall fashion and sexy winter boots. Fun!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
BEAUTIFUL pictures. I can’t wait to take those around here. Now if we could just keep them that beautiful for longer!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I used to live in the north – with the short but brilliant fall color. I didn’t appreciate it then. Now I live in the south, with dull, muted color. Your post today makes me miss “home.”
October 7th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I can’t wait for the leaves to turn yellow-orange-red and the ground covered with crunchy leaves….NJ’s almost there! Pictures galore for a week!
October 7th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Having just experienced the leaves changing in NY, I can honestly say I fell in love with it. Such a gorgeous picture!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Exceptional Shot!
October 7th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Having moved to Florida from Tennessee, I think fall and the changing foliage is one of the things I miss most.
October 7th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Wow Sandy – what a breathtaking photo filled with all of my favorite colors….
Here in So Cal the change of season is as subtle as in Florida probably…..but I still love it the shift from summer to fall. The air has a crispness to it, the ocean water turns a slightly different blue, the light shifts, and I am lucky enough to live on a street with tall trees that have leaves that actually change colors and fall to the ground. People say autumn doesn’t happen in LA but at least it happens on our street.
And I don’t think I have ever officially said congratulations to you on this baby growing inside of you! I have followed your journey and here you are….still on the journey and all of a sudden so much further along than seemed impossible not so long ago…..I am so happy for you. Truly.
Enjoy the season…..
Lee
October 7th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
That is a very lovely photo!
October 7th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Is that near your home? So jealous!! It’s just gorgeous. I have always wanted to visit New England in the fall to see the beautiful colors. Maybe someday…
October 7th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Thanks for making me have to face my autumn jealousy once again.
Ahh, I had my first 26 years of it so I guess I was spoiled long enough.
And you know what??? I can actually smell fall now via your post. Seriously! Thanks.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:19 am
I love how you tell a story.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:31 am
What a beautiful picture. I guess those of us who have always experienced autumn take it for granted sometimes.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:28 am
I’ll probably be raking too.
I love the photo. That’s the great thing about changing seasons. You can never get bored. Except for winter, I get bored after the second snowfall.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
It’s so funny to me because I grew up with the colors of changing season and use to think it was boring when my parents forced my sister and I to ride around looking at the autumn leaves, but as soon as I turned 30 – I loved it. I can’t get enough of it!
Oddly, the same thing happened with sweet pickles – if must be something about being a real adult or having children, whichever
Great picture!
October 8th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
gorgeous photo. i used to sit by the window seat in my dorm looking out and see the most amazing scene daily. of course in the winter time, i looked out at the most amazing snow view. but then if i had to leave my warm toasty dorm, that chill… still can’t forget.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Gorgeous! Our leaves haven’t quite started changing yet, but I’m looking forward to it! We’re going slightly north for my Birthday this weekend, and I’m really hoping that the leaves have already changed in the mountains…enjoy your leaves!!
October 8th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
BEAUTIFUL! Autumn is my favorite time of year! It is truly enchanting.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Photo is stunning. An equal companion to your eloquence. Well said. Love the blog!
October 10th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
That’s one beautiful pic!
And yeah, understand the need to go out in that weather and se the colours and clear your head.
I miss it!
October 11th, 2009 at 4:17 am
I’d love to experience 4 seasons. We only have 2 here- the wet and the dry.Zzzzzz.Boring =)
October 11th, 2009 at 5:32 am
I LOVE all of your posts! I can read them over and over again! Not to sound like a blogstalker or anything! LOL! Oh, and that photo is absolutely breathtaking! You’re one talented photographer, Sandy!! xo
October 13th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
I puffy blue heart miss fall in New England.
October 13th, 2009 at 4:07 pm