It seemed only yesterday the colors were rather on the dull side, not quite offering that magical tapestry we all relish. And then today dawned with a the mix of sun and clouds and occasional raindrops and a breeze and somehow the world transformed.

And I had the good fortune to take it all in at Holt Pond Preserve, where I traveled the trail with two friends. The leaves had gone on strike from their food producing summer job and we rejoiced in the result as they prepared for the dormant season that is on the horizon.

Gold, orange, topaz, crimson, salmon, ruby, gold green, yellow green, gold brown, green brown, gray, white . . .

even a hint of blue; it was as if we stood in nature’s paint store.

As always when I look at paint chips, I had a difficult time deciding which color to choose.

Stick with a deep red?

Lean more toward the greens and yellows with a hint of orange and red?

Or go with a mosaic–intermixing all that was available?

And what about the decorative accents?

Again, I couldn’t decide . . .

which was my favorite.

Nor could my companions, JoAnne and Jen, and so we slowly moved about, filling our hearts and souls with the memory of it all by painting the scene in our minds.

And smiling at the offerings.

“Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ~ William Cullen Bryant