When will we see the last leaf on the tree?

We’re in the beginnings of the second week of October. Daily high temperatures this month have been running 10℉ or more above “normal” historical averages. The Better Half recently commented that she’s tired of summer. I’m just in from setting pocket gopher traps. [They’re still active.] The driveway is covered in leaves. But... for those weary of warmer than seasonal temperatures, there’s hope! Here’s what our drive looked like on October 14, 2018:

October snowfall, 2018

Photo by J. Harrington

Then, two years ago, on October 12, 2019, the back yard looked like this:

October snowfall, 2019

Photo by J. Harrington

Last year the first snow for which we have pictures came on October 16, followed, about a week or so later, by a snowfall measured in inches. Meanwhile, this year the oaks and tamaracks are very slowly changing colors, but changing they are. There’s still an occasional dandelion in bloom. The local woods seem to have been invaded by flock after flock of blue jays. We saw the first junco of the season on the deck a day or two ago. Sometimes, the circle of the year turns very, very slowly, but it doesn’t stop.

We’re in the beginnings of the annual transition of leaves falling from the trees to snowflakes falling from the skies. Soon, too soon for those of us who don’t cherish winter, it will be time to say good-bye for this year to the

Last Leaf

by Tom Waits

I'm the last leaf on the tree
The autumn took the rest
But they won't take me
I'm the last leaf on the tree

When the autumn wind blows
They're already gone
They flutter to the ground
'Cause they can't hang on
There's nothing in the world
That I ain't seen
I greet all the new ones that are coming in green

I'm the last leaf on the tree
The autumn took the rest but they wont take me
I'm the last leaf on the tree

They say I got staying power
Here on the tree
But I've been here since Eisenhower
And I've out lived even he

I'm the last leaf on the tree
The autumn took the rest but they won't take me
I'm the last leaf on the tree

I fight off the snow
I fight off the hail
Nothing makes me go
I'm like some vestigial tail
I'll be here through eternity
If you want to know how long
If they cut down this tree
I'll show up in a song

I'm the last leaf on the tree
The autumn took the rest but they won't take me
I'm the last leaf on the tree
I'm the last leaf on the tree
I'm the last leaf on the tree

********************************************
Thanks for visiting. Come again when you can.
Please be kind to each other while you can.