almost like Autumn

they (whoever the mysterious omniscient proverbial "they" are) say that you shouldn't focus on what's behind you (i'm paraphrasing here...) but this morning i'm glad i did. i don't have a photo because taking one of a reflection in your rearview mirror while driving down the highway in morning traffic is not the best idea in the world, but as i checked my mirrors (like a good little driver) before changing lanes, i saw the most breathtakingly beautiful sunrise. i've been whining (only a little though) about how chilly it's been here in FL (record lows this morning by the way) the past few days but what i've forgotten after almost 4 years here in the Sunshine State is how startling it is to see such raw natural beauty as the sun waking up the world on a crisp Autumn morning. i missed that & i knew i did...but i had forgotten.

i may not have a photo to share with you but the image is engraved in my mind. the way the sky brightens from the cool pre-dawn hues of blue & purple to those glorious shades of yellow & orange as the sun begins to emerge from the eastern horizon. that fiery red-orange sphere bathes the wakening world with golden warmth. when you see the sun shining its first rays onto a tree before you, it is like the physical representation of Autumn: the warmth of the sunlight & the cool contrast of the shadows mirroring the warmth of the day & the cool of the mornings & evenings.

once i get past the shivering, the refreshing change of weather is exhilirating. it wakes me up after the sleepy heat of summer (all 8 months of it down here LOL). the only thing that's missing is the sunlight glowing on the fiery leaves in a million shades of color & the sparkle of frost glistening on each little detail of nature...but like the sunrise in my rearview mirror, the memory is fresh in my mind's eye...