September 22, 2025

Autumn Leaves 🍁

By Joe

The falling leaves drift by my window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold

I’ve always loved this song. I think I first heard it on the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil soundtrack, which features only Johnny Mercer songs, since his house in Savannah is pivotal to the story. That soundtrack is still one of my favorites, and Mercer’s music never fails to strike a chord with me.

Today is the first day of autumn. Vermont is one of the most beautiful and scenic places in the world this time of year. People from all over the globe make their way here just to see the “autumn leaves of red and gold.” This year, though, they might be a little disappointed if they’ve visited before. With the drought Vermont and much of New England has faced, the colors aren’t quite as vibrant as they usually are. Still, if you’ve never seen Vermont in “leafing” season, it’s breathtaking. And truth be told, those postcards and pictures—like the classic images of Stowe—are often enhanced to make them more vibrant than what nature actually gives us. In reality, it’s more like the softer, subtler version you’ll see in the second picture of Stowe below.

No matter what, autumn in Vermont is a season worth savoring. I hope everyone has a wonderful week and a scenic fall. And like Mercer’s lyrics remind us, each season carries its own beauty and its own memories—some bright, some bittersweet, but all worth holding close.

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About Joe

I began my life in the South and for five years lived as a closeted teacher, but am now making a new life for myself as an oral historian in New England. I think my life will work out the way it was always meant to be. That doesn't mean there won't be ups and downs; that's all part of life. It means I just have to be patient. I feel like October 7, 2015 is my new birthday. It's a beginning filled with great hope. It's a second chance to live my life…not anyone else's. My profile picture is "David and Me," 2001 painting by artist Steve Walker. It happens to be one of my favorite modern gay art pieces. View all posts by Joe

This entry was posted on Monday, September 22nd, 2025 at 6:00 am and posted in Miscellaneous. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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4 responses to “Autumn Leaves 🍁”

• noisilycool3bc9850581
  September 22nd, 2025 at 6:41 am

  Those colours today reminded me of the autumn here in England. Lovely verdant grass an dplent of ancient woodland and more modern growth. The leaves don’t tend to change colour and fall much until November.

  We than have the usual problem in the congested London area that the leaf fall on the numerous commuter train tracks prevent the driving wheels of the trains from getting a proper traction, causing delays and cancellations. Soon the special leaf-clearing locos will be out clearing the tracks.

  Reply
  • Joe
    September 22nd, 2025 at 6:46 am

    We have problems with traffic here this time of year because we have so many more people in the state and they will stop or block the road so they can take pictures. I feel bad for the people who own the most scenic areas because people invade their property all the time and do not head the signs that it’s “private property, please do not trespass.” Tourists this time of year care very little for the people of the state, and while it’s a beautiful time of year for those of us who live here, it’s also a nightmare we all dread.

    Reply
• vandycolt
  September 22nd, 2025 at 9:14 am

  You are lucky to have th

  Reply
• Sharky
  September 22nd, 2025 at 7:45 pm

  Have never had the privilege of being in Vermont in Autumn… just a cold snowy winter experiencing the Maple “sugaring” season.

  Did have the opportunity of being in Northern Minnesota for most of three weeks early in the “leaf peeping” season, watched the subtle colors become more and more vibrant. The trip was unplanned and I had given no thought to the time of year… really wish I had as I would taken my good camera & lots of Kodachrome or Fujichrome (slide film). This was back before the days of cellphones having cameras, or even digital cameras. All I had was the little “disposable” cameras readily available at drug stores during that time period.Have never really been able to describe what the colors were like, the range of colors and the full spectrum of differing tones. Vibrant and bright blended with subtle pastels. They were Absolutely Nothing like I was/am accustomed to in the Rockies.

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