Tipping point

Welcome. Happy Autumnal Equinox. Now we're really into the season. Meteorological Autumn started back on September 1. Now we've added astronomical Autumn. I haven't seen anything yet this season as spectacular as the small maple in the picture but, within the next week or two I'd be surprised if I still hadn't.

Autumn maple  © harrington

The DNR web site has a nice report on color change and a collection of visitors photographs if you want to check the season's changing status. Colors in the St Croix Valley seem to be slightly ahead of the surrounding area. In honor of the season, I'm going to return to bread baking, which I rarely bring myself to do during Summer. Home made bread goes so well with the stews and chowders that start to punctuate the weekly menus around here as temperatures decline and sweaters appear. Last night we had the season's first chili and a fish chowder has been promised for the near future.

Since we live somewhere that is dominated by oak trees, most of our fall colors are earth tone shades of maroon and brown, but there are enough maples scattered around to enliven the view. Instead of taking a trip just to see the colors, we are more likely to head down along the east shore of the Mississippi toward Alma, Pepin and the Harbor View Cafe. If we time it right, we get to see lots of swans on their migration. If not, our consolation is delicious locally sourced food from Harbor View.

Charles Ghigna's poem, Autumn's Way, adds aural aspects to our sense experience of sight and taste. Thanks for listening. Come again when you can. Rants, raves and reflections served here daily.