It’s been several years since we’ve spent fall up north rather than down in Arizona. Because I’ve been out walking each day, I’ve been part of it. I’ve watched the green vine leaves turn first transparent yellow and finally brittle brown. I was surprised when, overnight, the leaves on the vine maple down by the fishpond transformed from green to bright scarlet. The petunias withered away and the fuchsia gave up the ghost. The last two blooms on the dahlia plant by the pool house decided not to bloom and turned black instead. The only trees that still haven’t completely turned are the Japanese maples on the patio. They’re just starting.
Yesterday was Halloween—the first one without rain around here since 2006. We had one pair of trick-or-treaters—our grandson, Colt, and his trick-or-treating buddy, Alan Hoviland. One year they were a very credible Harry Potter and Hagrid. In the past they’ve been Penguin and Batman and Vikings. Last year they showed up as zoot-suited gangsters. This year Colt was a red-haired mustachioed Mariachi, complete with a sombrero and maracas. Alan turned up as Poncho Villa.
Was that cultural appropriation? I think, in this case, it’s more like cultural assimilation. Their last trick-or-treating stop for the evening was our family’s favorite Mexican food restaurant, Tres Hermanos in Kirkland. It a family kind of place. It’s the restaurant where Colt has celebrated every single one of his birthdays! At Tres, the brothers in question, don’t call our grandson Colt. For some strange reason at Tres Hermanos, Colt is Cauliflower Ears. At the restaurant, I’m not J.A. Jance, best selling author. I’m Colt’s Grandma. Tres (or as Siri likes to say, “Trays”) has sponsored dine-out evenings every year to support PTA efforts at all three of Colt’s elementary schools.
And what did they think of our two Anglo caballeros? They loved them, and so do I.
As for today? It’s November. When I took the dogs outside this morning, it was raining. I’m not wearing sunscreen today and probably won’t need it again until we’re back down in Tucson.
Remember that old song, Singing in the Rain? Today I’ll be humming that, while walking in the rain and not thinking about Christmas.
Which happens to be coming at us like a freight train.
And now snow? I like your blogs. Thank you JA.
It is cold in Olympia.
I just had spinal surgery. While I was in the hospital last week my two daughters brought me a lovely bouquet of flowers, a snuggly body pillow and a warm fuzzy blanket. ALSO in a tote bag from The Poisoned Pen was your latest Beaumont book!!! They sure know what Mom likes. Hope I’ll be making it to the next book signing!
LOve reading your Blog, and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your books. My husband and I winter in Rio Rico, AZ and summer in Manchester, WA. We both grew up in Seattle, so your books speak to us wherever we are.
Fall has been lovely and warm here on the east coast, too, and the trees are finally stunning. Possibly until today, when it is raining, but we needed the rain so badly that I am not going to complain. Much, anyway. A friend of mine just did her annual relocation from Maine to Arizona and says its REALLY HOT right now, so perhaps staying longer up north will turn out to be brilliant.
Happy fall!
ceci
I loved seeing Colt in his costume and I love your blog. Just a reminder that Summer, Winter, Fall or Spring, we all need to wear sunscreen outside of the house.
We had our first killing frost last night (November 8-9) which is late. I was happy to see the frost on the lawn and bushes. It means no more mowing this year. I can’t work in the yard like I used to, but still enjoy looking at it. Except for several years when my husband was in the Navy, I have always lived in an area that has four seasons. I don’t really enjoy winter, but it doesn’t last very long.