The Gifts of Autumn #11: Trees in my neighbourhood

The Gifts of Autumn: #10. Momiji-gari

Leaves and samara on a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum, unknown cultivar)

Japanese are familiar with  special phrases like “Momiji-gari”, which literally means hunting Maple or Maple viewing. Many people visit and enjoy the fall color of wild and natural Japanese Maples in the mountains or fields of Japan. Furthermore, there is a Japanese expression, “Yama ga moeru” which translates to “burning mountain in autumn” because an entire mountain filled with wild Japanese Maples can transform into a fiery crimson red due to the color of the Japanese Maples in the distance.

Source: Way of Maple

The Gifts of Autumn: #7. Leaves on benches

Suggested reading: The Bench by Mary Ruefle

"The life of the bench in my imagination was more important than any practical function the bench might serve."

Orange beautiful*

*Post title inspired by -- well, pretty much copied from but with all credit given to  -- this gorgeous site & blog.

"In like a lion, out like a lamb" (and vice versa) is the well-known saying applied to March's weather. I'm trying to think of an equivalent to describe last month. If you read drafts of this post I published accidentally (oops), you'll know I tried marmalade cats and Bengal tigers. The first of October was sunny and warm and I recall purring contentedly in the kitchen while roasting eggplants; the 30th and 31st included every kind of weather: bold, strong, and untamed, if not quite ferocious at the end. But perhaps colour is the most accurate, and for me, memorable way to describe October in and October out: in with tasty reds & aubergines and out with glowing oranges.