The end of Fall

When I stepped outside tonight, I smelled Winter in the air. Soon, the scent of snow coming. The night sky is midnight blue, with an almost full, glowing white moon. The Summer Triangle of stars has moved in its sky. The seasons are changing.

Scott and I drove through town today, noticing the yellow leaves falling and blowing around the streets into heaps of light. When I drove over the Sewalls Falls bridge, crossing the Merrimack, I saw dark reds and browns in the trees lining the river. Between them, the consistent and faithful evergreens stand watch. This weekend I tried to find a big orange pumpkin to carve, and there was not a one to be found.

The holidays have begun. Fall is ending and we have loved every minute of it.

~Ally

late fall color

If the dead could dance

what would they see?

Up Mount Washington

With Ally and Char.

A few weeks ago, Mom, Scott and I went up Mount Washington on the famous auto road. What a wonderful trip! I will no longer mock those people with the bumper stickers that read, "This Car Climbed Mount Washington," labeling them weaklings who didn't hike the mountain. Who was I kidding? Hike the mountain?? OK, people do it. But even driving its unguarded winding pathways was treacherous enough for me. And gorgeous.

We were higher than the clouds at the top, enjoying a whole different weather system. Apparently weather is measured on Mount Washington quite religiously, and it is named the World's Worst Weather. Winds have reached 231 miles per hour...which is why the weather station (Mount Washington Observatory) at the top of the peak is chained to the ground. It was icy and cold up there, while a balmy fall day at the bottom.

Being up on Mount Washington is a magical experience, offering views you can't believe you can get in New Hampshire. It seems like being up in the Alps!

This is the Cog Railway, that I just found out actually goes to the very top of the mountain (6288'). Very cool, and probably less stressful than driving it. My Subaru was GREAT, but I heard lots of stories to scare me off from driving. Not for the weak of heart, apparently.

Traveling up Mount Washington is, by far, one of the best ways to take in the scenic glories of Autumn in New England. Make sure you put this trip on your Bucket List!

~Ally

A Magical World

A couple times a year I remember we live in a magical world. Then I disappear outside for a while. When I was a kid, in the spring and fall, I'd roll around on the carpet at night to contain and hide my excitement. I always try to find that joy again. Some days I do. ~Scott

Autumn

Scott has been adventuring all day today. Left the house at 5 a.m. and got home around 8 p.m. I have no idea where all he went, but he had planned to walk miles and miles, drive miles and miles. I bet he did and soon we will see some of the glories of the White Mountains on this site. I do know he spent a long time on the Kancamagus Highway, shooting both sunrise and sunset. He's like that, all big ideas and grand plans that really do come true.

The colors are changing here. Leaves turn their shades quickly and I fear the leaf-peepers will miss all the fun if they wait until Columbus Day. Mom, Scott and I plan to drive up Mount Washington soon. We thought about taking the van up - which lets you give full attention to the scenery rather than worrying about harrowing hairpin turns around unguarded mountain edges. But then we might not be able to stop a half million times at every scenic lookout, which you know we must do.

Soon the first flakes of snow will fall, and for the first time, we will not have an excited Tippy to traipse them with. We had a glorious fall and early winter with him last year before his little heart gave out. We found our kitties about this time last year as well, and what an unexpected blessing that was. This year I may stop writing the name of an old flame in the first snow - tradition - because really, it has been too many years and my heart is all for Scott now. I think it's time I wrote "Tip" in the snow instead. This year I may write the Christmas letter early in my annual attempt to get the slackers from the list to finally write me back. It won't work, but it will satisfy me as the writing of the Christmas letter always does.

I am working up to holiday mode and thinking already of pumpkins, gourds, hay bales. I bought the first round of fall mums weeks ago at an Agway sale: $4 for 10 inch pots! Glorious. I deadheaded them on Friday to try to get more color out of them. Meanwhile, the frost already lines the leaves of bushes and shrubs. Breath shows in the air. The weatherman tells us to cover our plants. And as usual, I risk it and don't - weed out the weak. They won't all fit inside the living room window anyway.

Autumn saved me last year from the perils of overwhelming grief. This year, I just miss my Dad. I need him to tell me to get my act together, but also that he loves me and everything will be okay. He always accepted me, no matter what. And then proceeded to tell me how to improve my circumstances. Maybe send me a letter, Daddy, on the leaves of Autumn or on a golden sun-filled afternoon. Maybe tell me a secret tomorrow in the stream or as the wind blushes across my cheeks. I need to hear a little something.

We are eyes open now, as it's Autumn, our favorite time of year.

~Ally

Trees

Trees are earth's endless effort

to speak to the listening heaven.

~Tagore, Fireflies, 1928

Related to Air

So beautiful, honey. The third picture is a perfect realist's interpretation of my beautiful painting by Georges Braque of the two black birds poised over a bright blue sky. Thank you for that.

~Ally

An end of summer

Friendship. A rushing river of cold, clear water. Motherhood. Exploration. Pancakes. Laughter. Sharing ideas about writing. Telling stories. Crisp air. Rain. Dark nights and confessions. Stars coming back brighter. Autumn air. Smell of wood smoke. Snuggly cats. Blue jeans, socks, and tennis shoes. Walking, falling in the river, visiting Sugar Hill. Restoration, forgiveness, talking it out and making decisions, considering options. Apple pie. House renovations. Our weekend with an old and dear friend who helped us remember what we love about this earth, including each other.

It's Fall and I am both relieved and excited.
~Ally

9.11

Life has changed so. I do not understand any more things.