falling leaves.....

[thoreau]

Today was the first time I really noticed waking up for the gym in the dark - treadmilling with my iPod in the dark - lifting weights in the dark - and then coming home and starting coffee and heading to the shower - in the dark. I am not one that suffers from seasonal mood swings or depression (I'm gladly moody all year long! LOL!) - but it always feels more monastic and quiet this time of year. (even if fall isn't for a few more days) Last week I had the luxury of a warm fogless San Francisco week - so the sun was shining across Twin Peaks and greeting me each morning.

As the fog returned last night it reminded me of how darkness really changes tone and attitude. Nobody chatted this morning in the elevator - Miss Kate even remained curled up on the bed until I got back from the gym - then only raised her head as if to say "oh - you're back" and nuzzled back into doggycircledom until I got dressed and poured coffee (the sign that walkies are imminent).

This morning on our walk the fog was still low - and people walking to and from were quiet - some bound up in jackets and hats. There was a homeless man claiming to be John the Baptist that greeted Kate and I at the City Hall steps on our walk... sort of a fitting bookend to our quiet morning. He asked me and Kate if we knew what time today the Lord would speak to him. and I told him that while the Lord and I are in communication - I don't keep his calendar, sorry. John the Baptist chuckled and went on about how the Lord was going to talk to him at City Hall today. Yay for him - he was so happy and warm. It was a curiously 'sane' conversation - it didn't make me uncomfortable in the slightest - and I smiled and kept on in my walk with Miss Kate.

At Opera Plaza park we played for a while with Bandit and Trixie. They live on our floor - Trixie is a beautiful lab mix of some sort - and is 11 and loves to play with Miss Kate - Bandit is a jealous playful black chihuahua/jackrussel... (what a combo) and is always trying to bat Trixie out of the way to play with Miss Kate one on one. Their owner Sarah is the stage manager for SF Opera - and the five of us wandered back towards the building.

I looked back at the City Hall steps and John the Baptist had moved on. The sun was clearly coming up - albeit an overcast morning. and now - having had breakfast and such - I'm off to the office. Curious how the darkness of this time of year as it increases - will change so many dynamics. I love Fall.

Comments

[jodfoster.livejournal.com]

I'm sooo not wanting to let go of the summer we barely had (two years in a row, thanks weather!), but I do enjoy aspects of the fall. The brisk air, the rustling of the leaves, the pumpkin spice everything, the colors, harvest goodies at the store :)

[major7.livejournal.com]

Enlightenedment at City Hall. Cool for him!

[paterson-si.livejournal.com]

Summer is also slowly kissing us goodbye here. It's still warm, at times also hot, we had a lot of rain this summer so everything is still in its full green dress, but days are gettinfg cruelly shorter. I know that shorter will eventually lead to skiing season, which I simply adore, but it's still a bit... stingy.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

San Francisco has one of the mildest winters I've ever experienced. and I actually like rain. (having grown up near Seattle) so - its not all bad. I don't miss the triple digit summers of Boise and their negative numbered winters

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

it was pretty surreal actually - I've been grinning about it all morning.

[paterson-si.livejournal.com]

oh, but winters need to be freezingly cold :)

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

no no no :) not where I live they don't - I love to drive or even FLY to the snow - but I hate living in it. no sireeebob - not for me.

[paterson-si.livejournal.com]

yes yes yes :)

I like walking on that frozen white crust 'neath the silver moon. :)

[hereticsoul.livejournal.com]

I've also started noticing how much later during my workout it gets before the sun starts to rise. Given how early I arrive at the gym, it's always dark when I get there. But it won't be long before it will be dark when I leave and dark when I meet my bus for the ride to work. And then dark when the time to go home arrives.

Thank heaven that we've been having a rare stretch of clear, sunny weather lately. When I went to sit in the steam room this morning, the morning light was pouring through the giant windows that flank one side of the pool. The light filters through the steam room door and plays interesting games in the steam.

Fall is not too bad. I much prefer Summer, but at least this time of year has the virtue of making cuddling and spooning so much more enjoyable.

[kbearblog.livejournal.com]

It's great that you've met John the Baptist, I wonder who does keep Gods books? Must be a big stressful job!

The edges of the lowland here is all tinged with red and yellow leaves. The hurricane season is bringing in hints of autumn. This is a magical season with the colors and the mood swings of the weather.