Autumn

 It was a perfect autumn day.  Typical of the Midwest, even for mid October.  The sun was shining and a slight breeze came in from the south west.  The temperature had been reaching into the low 80's for a couple of days, but that was not totally unusual. The colors, though not quite at their peak, were amazing.  Deep burgundy, bright crisp orange and a yellow that seemed to glow when the rays of the sun kissed them, ever so lightly.  Even the white pine, towering at nearly 90 feet, was full of yellow needles.  A thought passed through quietly, was that normal, for the pine and would they all fall off at the same time.

The leaves were falling too.  Lots of leaves.  The circle, inside of the driveway, where 14 trees of varying species have staked their claim, was ankle deep in leaves.  The goal was to get all those leaves into a pile, on the circle drive.  The procedure would be simple.  Simply start in the middle and work to the outer edge.  It went like clock work.  Thirty minutes later, the driveway had a full circle of leaves.  Ah, the magic of a gas powered leaf blower.

The rest of the yard waited its turn.  The 14 trees were not alone, another 46 stood, like gentle giants, throughout the yard.  The ones next to the road were kind.  Most of their leaves blew down the road or across the small gully into the woodlands.  But, the remaining trees were doing their best to keep up with the ones inside of the circle.  They stand protected from the wind, as they are surrounded by their many relatives that make up the border of the yard.  Most of their leaves fall directly under their assigned tree.  With the power of artificial wind, they joined their family in the forest.

The best of the day was nearing.  The time of the long shadows and encroaching darkness.  The culmination of the original plan.  It was time to start.  Perhaps it would turn into a yearly ritual.  It had to be done in darkness.  Darkness was the only time the wind was still.  The lighting of the 'Ring Of Fire' commenced.  It did not disappoint.  The glow lit up the neighbors' garage like a Jack O' Lantern on steroids.  Lucky for them, they had been told of the plan.  The circle of fire was perfect.  Something about it was, oh, so satisfying.  Mother would be proud, she loved to burn things.  On occasion, some things burned that were not part of her plan.  Yes.  Lois would approve of the 'Ring Of Fire'.

As quickly as it had happened, it was over.  Only a few embers remained.  A quick swirl with a rake, a real rake with a wooden handle, took care of the embers' glow and the first ceremony had come to an end.  Perfect ending to a perfect day.

The next day, the weather took a turn.  Just as typical of the Midwest.  Rain brewed in from the west.  As quickly as that happened, the wind shifted and with a fury, blew in from the north.  It was raining.  Raining leaves.  Again.  Yes, all the needles fell off at one time.  The white pine is once again green.