Autumn Wind

The limbs of the maple tree rise and fall gently, waving hello. The long feathery limbs of the weeping willow sway back and forth like svelte young dancers around a Maypole. Branches lift their weight, and then drop the fruit to the ground, as the apple tree bends and bows. Countless movements of dip and sway in tree, grass, and bush, reveal the arrival of our seasonal guest. The northwest wind has returned to the Chicken Ranch.

Autumn has requisitioned this wind that bears a chill upon its wings. Its presence is required to initiate a host of fall events.  From the caress of this chilly air and the frost it encourages at night, the leaves are convinced to change into their best dress… before they say goodbye. Geese are prompted to southern climes, and squirrels convince us of their prudence, as they busy their bushy tailed selves by burying hickory nuts in the soil. Riding the motion of this wind, a myriad of summer songbird lift from branches to catch the train south, where the promise of warmer temperatures lures them. 

This cool wind plays cupid for the deer. With their noses lifted, and the chilly wind ruffling the hair upon their backs, the need for procreation saturates the herds’ senses. Soon the rattle of bone against bone will be heard as bucks, young and old, lock horns and battle for the favor of a waiting doe. And it is not only the animal kingdom that feels the change upon their skin. Humans too are prompted to alteration, due to the smell and feel of this winds' chilly air.

Old sweaters and jackets appear on the shoulders of folks in the mornings now. Straw hats, that shaded us all summer, are hung on the wall, replaced by the cozy comfort of beaver and wool felt that now sits upon our heads. This northern wind encourages us to bring firewood up to the house, and to inspect the chimney for wear; cozy fires are an autumn delight here, in both the outdoor and indoor fireplaces. Iced tea will soon take a back burner to hot chocolate.  And, last night I made my first pot of Cabinet Soup, a favorite fall and winter dish that I have written about before in this blog.

I watch the trees release a colored confetti of leaves that glide silently and softly into the lake, while a misty rain begins to fall. I watch and listen to flocks of geese beginning there journey south, then  I drink in a deep breath of the cool autumn air. As the northwest wind tickles the water, little ripples appear on the glassy surface, like the goose bumps on my skin. I turn up my collar, seat my hat a little tighter, and watch the effects of the chilly breeze.  

I know it’s a gentle wind just now, behaving nicely, but the northwest wind has another, more aggressive  side. Perhaps one day, before too long, it will demonstrate its ability to howl and moan, while pushing a sea of white before it. I take in the changes happening around me, both vivid and subtle,  and I recognize the north wind as one important prompter of it all.

As I start back to the house, a red leaf blows squarely into my nose, then over my shoulder and on to the ground. I pause to watch other leaves sail across the  garden path. “Welcome back ‘wind of the north”, I grin, “you’ve got things off to a great start here. I’ll be seeing you around.”