It’s now officially autumn. The colorbook of autumn opens with subtle tinges and touches of color at the tops of trees. It continues with a brassy kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, yellows and purples. The final chapter ends with brown earth tones as the leaves return to the soil where they began as seeds.

Autumn leaves float and spin to the ground in a flurry of gold, yellow and orange as the wind rustles and scatters them over the landscape.

Nature is slowing down: no new plant growth and fewer flower blossoms. Some have even gone to seed like my purple coneflowers and trumpet vines. The garland of Virginia creeper draped over the fence is now a brilliant bronze – like a deep suntan.

Mornings have a pleasant chill to them as I take my early walk. Skies are New Mexico blue, a perfect canvas for the earthy colors of autumn.

The summer symphonies I so enjoyed during evenings on the patio with a glass of mellow wine are beginning to grow quiet. Already the cicadas have left – just the crickets and frogs remain – and their songs have a slower tempo.

The busy hummingbirds have left till next summer. Graceful monarch and swallowtail butterflies take their place at the feeders and remaining flower blossoms. Nests that once nurtured newborn chicks are empty.

Spiders weave elaborate web designs. Dewdrops like jewels decorate the delicate strands in the morning sun. Of course, some spiders, along with crickets and flies slip into my house hoping for long-term shelter there.

Earth is beginning to yawn, sigh and relax before its long winter nap. Life has become a peaceful, colorful palette of earth tones as nature settles into this twilight season of time.

Invite the magic enchantment of autumn into your senses:

Breathe the crisp autumn air!
///
Hear the wind rustle the leaves in the trees!
///
See the colors of the season with awe and amazement!
///
Touch the textures of pumpkins, pinecones, dried seed pods!
///
Savor the flavors of fall ~ apples, pumpkins, pecans!

Feel the spirit of autumn in all you do!
///