Gradually the party is over, so our sun tells us.  The days get shorter… crisp evening air blows in to bite again as it clouds warm breath.  The bees hide, birds start to disappear, squirrels get busier and spiders decorate breezeways.  This time of year is much quieter, as kids have school and other things to do reducing outdoor chaos in turn letting other senses take over.  Slower moments of these shrinking days allow for quiet reflection and observation.  Silently the annual bright green colors burn, rust and fall.

Walking amongst these yards displayed an assortment of new fun, as mine primarily has just lawn, bamboo, shrubs and dwarf trees.  Several of the neighboring properties have huge leaf dropping trees.  These giants of Maple, Oak and others drop their debris into piles on the lawns, sidewalks and streets.  Sarrah delighted in the dry windswept gatherings of these leaves.  She dove into piles and rustled them back into the wind.  The crunch and flight of the red, orange, yellow and brown crackling confetti appealed to her sense of mischief and play.  The little kook made me laugh, every time.  The smells of autumn change as well.  While outside you notice chimneys, awakening to smoke.  These puffy grey and white plumes linger and scent the air.  Sarrah gave Alder smoke a deeper sniff, she must have liked it.

Thanks to Sarrah my view on autumn changed toward a greater appreciation for this time of our year, instead of viewing it as the end of summer, enjoying this slower paced colorful season for its own unique moments.