Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Season's Changing

I sit alone at my desk near the window. Everyone else has left for the day. Cole is crooning to me between instrumental versions of Moon River and That's All. The day is sunny, but cold and crisp. Moments of absolute stillness and quiet are surprised by sudden bursts of wind. The leaves give up and fall, and those on foot fight against the force on their coat lapels. There is a sense of urgency out there, of impending cold and frost. Quick, look at the scene before the trees are bare and painted white with snow! It will be here before we know it. I am not afraid of the next change of seasons though, and am long used to frigid Halloweens (coats over costumes, snow under stilettos). This morning greeted us with frost on the windows and flowers, for the first time. I added a layer on my way to work and hid my hands in thick downy pockets. The river still flows, but its color is no longer aqua or green, it's the final midnight blue before it goes black--always inky before the blocks of ice come flowing West, and then the edges freeze over completely. Leaves are slow to change this year, so I await the final act when it all goes red like leafy fire--before the chilly winds come blow it out. It is easy to love this place during an easy, sunny Summer, but to love her as she cools takes a true Montana friend. Seeing her through the cold and rough, rewarded with these vibrant Falls, crystal Winters and inspiring Springs. I look forward to the moment when this amber season gives way to the diamonds of the colder months. What a gift we're given here, so close to nature you can breathe her in, feel her shift and settle with the seasons, recognize the beauty of each dramatic mood. I can't imagine being anywhere else.



11 comments:

  1. you have a lovely way with words and your love of nature and its subtle nuances are refreshing. i embrace the changing seasons...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ohh that is such a beautiful post:) I love the way you write:)
    kisses

    Ps: I am hosting a beautiful GIVEAWAY today...I hope you will join in:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. So beautiful! I always love the way you write. And it is spoken like a true lady of Montana and of the Mountains. LYS

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful~ I remember when I was a kid, having to wear a winter coat over my Halloween costume.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a beautiful piece of writing! Spoken from the heart.
    Thanks for stopping by
    Sharon
    My French Country Home

    ReplyDelete
  6. you have a lovely style of writing.
    Could feel the cold and early frost. It will happen here too.....to soon for me.
    Loved the picture of the leaves. Looks like they were dusted with powdered sugar.
    Enjoy the beautiful moments,
    Evi

    ReplyDelete
  7. You're making your Mama proud again....

    This is lovely. Wonderfully done. Oh, the places you will go when you keep expressing yourself like this.

    xxx
    z

    ReplyDelete
  8. dear e charlotte! nature so lovingly written and appreciated here. you're a writer :)

    if only i could share your quiet appreciation for the cold moments like this! your winters are much harsher than our patagonian winters. this is the first time i stuck around during winter... and boy was she harsh! living in third world conditions and such poor heating certainly doesn't make the winter any easier, nor the fact that patagonian "summer" is pretty damn blustery (and can only be spoken of out loud using curly air quotes)!

    hope you are off to a perfect friday and weekend--not that it's ever anything other than perfect. xox

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful post, it makes me want to visit Montana!

    Kat :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautifully written, E. Charlotte! I truly felt like I was reading a scene out of a novel. Beautiful fall picture , too!
    ~ Jo :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your poignantly written post almost convinced me that i ought to move to Montana! However, i would never survive the winter:-). Great post! XX

    ReplyDelete

Older Posts