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I am not going to start this  by complaining about the virus.  Everyone is doing that.  In fact, I'm not going to complain about anything.  It's nearly Halloween, which I happen to enjoy.  Someone told me I love the fall because it is my birthday season.  I'd never thought about that.

I love that the hot weather is gone and the really cold weather isn't here yet.  I sleep so much better now than in the summer.

 

I looked out my windows the other day at the water and the Olympic mountains (with a light dusting of snow) and was enthralled with the beautiful big thunderhead clouds.  The sky is a bright blue, made brighter by the whiteness of the clouds.  We have lived in this house for 18 years.  The yard had many trees when we moved but because several were close to 100 years old, we have lost many of them.  I am so glad we replaced them with various maples.  I am not one of those people that can remember the English or Latin names of trees and plants.  I just point at something and say, "I like that one, let's buy it."  But my house is surrounded by gorgeous red, gold and yellow trees that I can enjoy from nearly every window.

 

OK, the gutters will be full of leaves that will have to be removed, but the ground is covered in a golden carpet of leaves.  The air smells fresh, with a hint of wood smoke.  My studio is very close to the street and in my neighborhood people walk right past.  Now they are bundled up a bit against the wind and cool weather.  My cat, perched in the window, loves to watch all the dogs being walked even if he is disappointed that I won't open the window for him.

 

This year we are being encouraged to stay in and stay safe.  Instead of feeling I am missing out, I think looking out at the world can introduce us to new sights.  If people cannot see clouds, trees and leaves, there are still people.  If there are not people to see, then there are buildings and windows.  The reflections on the windows and the colors of the buildings change all the time.  We can lament the passing of time or we can study and observe the passing of time.  Soon the fall colors will pass away and in their place will be the reflections of the rain on windows, streets, roof tops.  I will paint the things I see.  If I were a poet, I would write about them, and if I knew anything about music, I'm sure I would try to compose.  As it is, I can't carry a tune in a bucket so I will just turn the volume up and listen to someone else's observations while I go back to what I know.  That I love red, orange, yellow, gold and blue skies with white clouds out my window or on my canvas.