Autumn Days

It's comforting to wake in the morning while the sun is still climbing above the horizon. Where we live the horizon is tucked behind rows of houses, but I imagine by the time we see the sun's first rays slicing across the living room floor that the horizon line hadn't seen in much sooner. In the summer I don't wake early enough to catch these first moments. Now that autumn's days are shortening, I catch them every day.

Many trees have already shed their leaves -- brown, crunchy leaves that do little to add to autumn's decor. Those trees are bare and boring. Others hold their changing leaves up like a torch, and each time I see one I am grateful. It's this time of year when I am sad we left the north, with its cool days and many colors. Here the colorful trees are out of place, a small reminder of home.