Whatever Follows

Whatever might follow in the weeks ahead I have to say this has been one beautiful season, and in spite of the usual vacillations. Temperatures hit the mid-80s one day and four days later we came close enough to a hard frost that a baby maple I see every day took a nasty fright and went instantly crimson. Now as I write, a big wind is muscling around outside,  giving even the grass blades a stern combing-back.I sometimes hear westerners say our old New England is just all damp and claustrophobic with lowering skies and too-near horizons.  I don't see it that way. Anyhow it’s sure not that way now on these bright tangy days that have us all feeling happy and energized as we kick through the leaves and set out those jolly toy balloons that the world calls pumpkins. My own personal housemate got to feeling so energized last weekend that he climbed out on two of our roofs to prune the limbs of trees that in actual fact didn't need pruning at all (but that's just me.) I watched with my heart in my mouth as he executed one deep squat after another while balancing inches from roof's edge and then extending to its farthest reach a 12-food pole with a lethal sickle on the end and – SNAP!  pulling the trigger. Here he is first contemplating the job...And beginning to execute it...I sent our visiting houseguest Machias out to spot him in case he started to pitch forward and fall. (Machias is six-foot-nine with a rower's mighty legs so I thought he could maybe execute a rescue.)    But "I'M FINE!" insisted  my mate -and by some stroke of luck he turned out to BE fine as this triumphant look testifies.Myself, I attempted no such feats of strength and balance that day. I just walked a few miles, set out some seasonal decorations and reveled in all this beauty.Here was the sun that day, glowing still strong at 5pm, behind one of our front porch columns....Then at the top here was the sun only moments later in the side yard, filtered through our little dogwood...And finally, out back, here was the sun setting our neighbors' tree even further aflame.All this was on the Saturday. Then, on the Sunday, we had the privilege of attending the wedding celebration of a couple who, together with their families, threw one amazing party.It took place on a hillside farm with 180 guests on hand to enjoy popcorn and cider, adult beverages of every kind and food that never stopped coming.Best of all, the two brides helped make the music. Bride Alli, from all I can tell, plays every instrument on God's green earth and her band was playing; whereas Bride Angela, by her own admission not a trained singer, took the mic and spoke of the meaning this one particular song has for them both.  Then, at first softly, and then in full and glorious voice, performed "Hallelujah,"  by the late Leonard Cohen.Here's my favorite recording of this wonderful song, that today seems to me to capture all the beauty and longing of earth's seasons, and even of our own too-short lives.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE