"Old Devil Moon" was a popular song in the late 1940's from the 1947 musical, "Finian's Rainbow". The song title came to mind tonight as I was walking home from a meeting that was held nearby. The sky is clear enough tonight to have a clear and unobstructed view of the moon, stars, satellites, and constellations. Granted, there is so much ambient light in the sky surrounding my area that a person can see only a minute portion of all the celestial orbs. If you travel north to remote areas of the Northern Hemisphere you are bedazzled by stars on a clear night. While this is not the far north, it was still a treat to walk under the light provided by a half moon. On my way over to the meeting, when there was still daylight, I could enjoy the vivid colors that are a hallmark of the fall season. Maple trees are especially splendid-looking this fall, as are the chrysanthemums that dot the flowerbeds in my neighborhood. Even the air still smells fresh as the "smolderers", as I call the people who do not know how to properly burn leaves, have not yet begun their "smoldering". Once this misguided process begins there is often a rancid smell that permeates large areas, making enjoying the outdoors a challenge at any time of day or night.
One of my favorite fall experiences is the aroma that comes from apple orchard apple-cider doughnuts. Who can resist the flavor and texture of a freshly fried (unfortunately) apple-cider doughnut? Soon it will be time for me to make my annual trek out to my favorite apple orchard and eat my once-a-year doughnut. The doughnuts may be artery-clogging but I reason that one per year shouldn't be too injurious to my health.
Wild turkeys are still lurking about in large numbers this fall. Their flocks traipse through yards and across highways - often slowing or stopping traffic as vehicles wait for the clumsy-looking birds to cross multiple lanes of busy roadways. They are even comfortable roosting on residential roofs at night and resting on people's patios and decks, soaking up the sun during the day.
People who are fond of outdoor decorating begin hitting their stride around this time of year, moving from bales of hay, scarecrows, goblins, witches and pumpkins to Thanksgiving-themed decorations, finally climaxing in blow-up reindeer, Santas, and the occasional creche.
Meanwhile that old devil moon keeps making its monthly appearance on a predictable schedule as it morphs from a teasing sliver to a bright and beaming circle of light that brightens an evening sky like nothing else can.
Ancora imparo
