I think I can finally say--"Welcome Fall"

For someone who's experienced a lot of change in her life, I really have difficulty with changing seasons. I've so enjoyed the beautiful summer weather and I haven't been willing to let it go. Every day I don't have to wear a coat or jacket, I take note. But little by little, the crispness in the air is getting to me. Luckily, this September in Montreal has been mild and BEAUTIFUL. The sky is clear and the sun has shone as the temperatures have gracefully gone down each day. I have really appreciated this slow letdown. We will have our first frost soon and I think I'll be ready--not thrilled, but accepting. That will mean an overnight death to the flowers that brighten the sidewalks, particularly at dusk when the light is just so.

After the long and challenging weather we endured last winter, I carefully followed the progress of green that appeared in the city. First were the blue bells in the lawns just after the final snow melt. Then, the daffodills and colorful tulips--everywhere! Next were the pungent lilac bushes and my favorite lilly of the valley. (I forced my kids to kneel on the sidewalk just to get a whiff! YUM!) Montreal has many wild rose bushes that are also very fragrant. I noticed many of them on the McGill campus and at the Temple grounds. Next, the perennials shot up. Then, people planted annuals everywhere. I hardly saw a sprinkler the whole summer, but everthing stays so green in this moist climate. The late-summer black-eyed susans were spectacular. Now that we've headed into fall, the old buildings look so attractive with their vine cloaks. There are several shrubs that have autumn berries in full color. The leaves are just barely changing color. But soon, everything will die and the bright colors of fall will be gone. I think it's time.

And soon the snow will fly.....I'm definitely not ready for that!