Something happened this weekend and I can now tell that Fall is coming. That is the beauty of living in Seattle. You definitely can tell the changing of the seasons. Growing up in California, it seemed to mainly be two seasons – hot summer and foggy cold damp winter. But living farther north, the changes are a bit more obvious.

The first change comes when you notice it is getting darker earlier in the evening. The long twilight and light until 9pm are gone. The gloaming starts around 7:30 now.

Next you notice the lengthening shadows and the golden tones in the evening. I love the golden glow that baths the garden after 6pm. The shadows stretch across the yard creating mysterious contrasts.

The days are not yet crisp which confuses the senses. It is still warm. The crispness and earthy smells do not arrive until September. Temperature wise, it is still the dog days.

But it is the trees that are true indicator of the coming change. Driving home today, I noticed the big leaf maple trees were yellowing and other maples were turning red. I took a closer look at the garden and could see the change coming in the linden and the parrotia. The locust tree is brilliant yellow.

Fall makes me sad. I shouldn’t be. It is always the start of something new but I hate to see the end of summer. But I am going to extend my summer. Southern France here I come!