More leaves

I'm not sure why I'm so fascinated with the autumn leaves but I am so at this time of year I'm especially aware of what's going on in nature. Yesterday morning I was coming home from an early run to the grocery store when I noticed two things: first was a tree in front of my mother's house (right next door to me) whose leaves had all turned a beautiful shade of red, with the exception of a big patch of green right in the middle. On further investigation (as in stopping in my driveway to study it!) I discovered there was one huge branch that had not turned at all. The green patch was the leaves on that branch, just happy in their own little fantasy world, thinking it was still summer. Bizarre! I'm sure my scientist son will have a logical explanation for me, but how interesting, right?

The other tree that caught my eye is at the end of my driveway. On the entire left side it is bright orange. On the entire right side its more of a burnt orange color. Each side is distinctively different and give the tree the appearance of two photos which have been merged into one. Again, I have no doubt there is an explanation. In this case I think it has to do with the fact that on the right side the tree is right up against the cherry tree in my mother's yard, so it probably has to do with less sun or something. But it's an interesting effect and makes for one beautiful autumnal specimen. No doubt after this storm finally passes all the trees will be stripped pretty much bare. But its been a real spectacle while it lasted!

I love the way nature surprises us. I like the fact that as much as we may know, there are many things we simply cannot predict or expect will happen, because nature - or God if you will - has a sure mind of its own. And it loves to keep us guessing.