Thursday, October 23, 2008

Words Fail


“The frost is on the pumpkin” and I’m bundled in blankets against the morning chill, trying to fight the urge to turn up the thermostat. Several weeks of cool autumn weather have led to spectacular fall colors.

Our Burning Bush is ablaze with fuchsia leaves... fuchsia!


We have two Autumn Purple Ash trees, whose changing colors take my breath away. The outer leaves turn deep red or purple, while the inner leaves remain golden yellow. The effect is hard to capture in a photo, but when the sun shines through, the trees seem to glow from within.


Its leaves are my absolute favorite color ~ more than amber or bronze, copper or russet. The trouble with fall colors is how hard they are to name.


Words just seem inadequate for colors that last only one or two October weeks. It's like trying to describe fireworks or a sunset, as the colors change, second by second and minute by minute. All I can do is gasp! Instead of a word, an exclamation is the best I can offer.

That's okay with me. I know it when I see it. Those singular, nameless colors of autumn are my very favorites!


A few years ago, the Ash trees had an extraordinary showing of color. You know what? They've never turned that particular shade again.

5 comments:

  1. When it comes to fall colours, it really is true that a picture is worth a thousand words. The pictures in this post are spectacular!!

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  2. You sent me a picture of that tree one other time and it is breathtaking. My burning bush hasn't turned all the way yet, nor has my neighbor's (Betsy's). They said on the weather at noon today that we still have more 70 degree days coming. I sure hope so.

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  3. BEAUTIFUL photos....thanks for sharing!

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  4. Your words went a long way toward capturing the feeling and the photos were wonderful.
    I've been so thankful for the beauty of this fall, though a bit sad knowing winter is waiting in the wings. With a beauty of it's own, undeniably, but icy fingers that dampen my enthusiasm for it!
    Teresa

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  5. So true! Fall is full of color, such beautiful pictures and words.

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