my beloved Fall

My poor Los Angeles gets a bad rap. I give it more credit than many but there are still some things I lament over. Near the top of the list is the complete lack of seasons and most notably the lack of a Fall, or autumn, or leaf season -- as some call it back east.

The other day I was walking down the road to my little neighborhood knitting store. I was enjoying a walk alone, as Jack was with his grandmother.

And then I saw it -- this one little tree on Magnolia Boulevard that has been producing its own little one-tree leaf season show for awhile now. As I often do I slowed down to admire the vibrant colors of the leaves that had recently fallen from the tree. I picked one up and carried it with me on my walk. On the way back, I picked up many more . . . because I could and because these leaves with their bright, unexpected colors bring a smile to my face and even, yes, a hop to my step. I realized just what a beautiful day it was, feeling the warmth of the sun in the pure-blue sky and the crisp air and the leaves in my hand -- it all made me smile; even laugh a little to myself.

Thus Los Angeles has not robbed me completely of my beloved Fall. It is there if I look for it . . . in one little tree on Magnolia Boulevard . . .

. . . in the middle of February.