Fall Season: Week Two
Fortunately, the big atmospheric river that pounded the North Bay didn’t really make it to Alameda this week. Nevertheless, I had to walk in the rain, and the big winds on Tuesday and Wednesday were really forceful and blew a bunch of leaves off the trees. My HC (human companion) refers to me as the 90-pound wet sponge.
“I love the smell of wet dog in the morning.” For you old-timers like my HC, this phrase may have some remote association and possibly bring on a smile. For the rest of us, check out this video clip to get the reference.
I love this time of year when the leaves turn color and drop into people’s yards or the sidewalk/street area. They create these beautiful autumn leaf mosaics that are so dynamic. Whether it’s a gust of wind rearranging the already fallen leaves or dislodging the stubborn ones that refuse to bow to nature’s will, the image changes every few minutes and makes every walk a new art exhibit.
Even the city’s street sweeper plays a role in changing these mixed media art pieces by rearranging the leaves into a new pattern or cleaning the canvas for the next work to begin.
If you are looking for a New England-type foliage experience, Gibbons Drive is the place to visit over the next few weeks. Liquidambar trees put on quite a color show—equal to anything you will see in the northeast US. The one notable distinction between the locations would be the awful condition of the Gibbons sidewalks.
Unlike Halloween, local Alameda households don’t much embrace the fall season or the Thanksgiving celebration with yard displays. Even with an increased walk schedule and a request to readers for suggestions, I was hard pressed to find any to share with you. But, there were some fun inflatables in the Fernside area and a scarecrow tending to a few painted dinosaurs on Central Avenue which brought a smile to my face.
I appreciated the simplicity of the single autumn wreath on the door of the house on Benton Street that would greet family and friends and the Fall sign welcoming the season that was propped up on the porch of the house on Ninth Street.
The folks on Willow Street and Clinton Avenue decked out their wraparound porch with beautiful wreaths and clusters of dried leaves and seedpods.
While there are a lot of red, yellow, and brown leaves falling this time of year, there are also some beautiful flowers dressing up yards, like the magenta-colored Bougainvillea.
Next week marks the transition from fall (and recognizing Thanksgiving) to winter (yes, I know that it doesn’t officially start until December 21) and the onslaught of the holiDAZE. I plan on keeping my head down and my powder dry—whatever that means.
Editor’s note: “Keep your head down and your powder dry” is a phrase that means to be prepared to take action, if necessary, but to wait before taking action.
Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.
