early fall

It's October 1st. Early fall. People travel miles to experience fall color at its peak. I've done it and can't say I've ever been disappointed. But in some ways, I prefer early fall. There's a crunch underfoot that wasn't there days ago.

The trees make a payment on their old debt to nature.

The hint of cold air makes the fungus recede and slowly become ashen.

The farmer goes about his urgent task of harvesting everything that burst with life just days earlier.

It's like the man said: " The best thing about life is the anticipation. Except when it's the worst thing."

It's educated guesswork, predicting what's up ahead. You don't know it until you're there. Early fall is anticipation. The best thing.