welcome autumn.

Okay, let's face it.  Fall has been here for quite a little while at this point.  The leaves have been changing to beautiful shades of reds, oranges, yellows, even purples, and then falling off the trees altogether.  The weather has been up and down, but in general it has definitely been cooler than it was a month and a half ago.

But TODAY.  Today it is downright chilly.  And I feel giddy. 

As I drove home from work this evening, I couldn't help but notice it.  The sun was beginning to sink behind the mountains to the west.  The mountains to the east, the sky, and everything else were covered in the loveliest dusky shade of plum.  The cold air smelled perfectly autumn-like... a smoky, icy, warm and cozy all-wrapped-up-in-one type scent. 

I made a stop on my way home, and I couldn't figure out why I felt so excited.  Giggle-at-everything-excited.  New-crush-excited. 

And then I realized it.

I am in love with the changing of the seasons.  

It doesn't matter a bit which season it is; the whole process is entirely magical to me.  The way the weather gradually (or suddenly) changes temperature, the way the sun rises and sets earlier or later and in a more northern or southern part of the horizon, and the way the whole natural world responds.  New plants bloom and grow, produce delicious fruits and vegetables of all kinds, die, remain dormant.  The earth gets so hot and dry that it cracks, so cold that it freezes solid under a thick layer of ice.  Giant raindrops pour from the sky, snowflakes fall lightly and everything is calm, white, quiet. The sun rises and sets, painting great orange, pink, red, purple, and gold streaks across the entire sky, interlacing rays of light with wispy clouds. 

It is beyond beautiful, every time.

Granted, I feel privileged to live in a beautiful place.  Utah offers a lot of nature to be explored, and it is all very, very close.  For example, I live on a mountainside.  Beautiful valley below, mountains and canyons and foothills above and behind. 

Mmmm.  I cannot wait for cozy nights with a cup of tea.  Good books and movies, wrapped up in blankets with my favorite people.  Lovely brisk mountain runs in the chilly air.  And the holidays.

I can't believe how quickly time is passing these days.