B E B E R E

Fall's arrival was a subtle one this year: first a change in the sun's angle which suffused everything with a golden light both in the morning and evening. Next, the transition of the wind in the trees from a whisper to a gentle rustling or scraping. After that, the honey locusts on Central Street, the vanguards of this year's leaf-turning movement, began to look like aerial patches of goldenrod.



Somerville City Hall with honey locusts in the foreground.



Another view of City Hall. In Fall, even parts of the most densely-packed urban area in New England can have a Currier-and-Ives air.

Today was the first overcast day in what feels like weeks. I haven't seen too many fiery displays against gunmetal yet; I look forward to that. I also haven't smelled the cool dead leaf and rain smell that one normally experiences this time of year. Perhaps sometime over the next few days.

Around the corner from Ali's was the first in-your-face sugar maple of the year:



I first noticed it a week or so ago, when it was much more sharply dressed. Most striking was the shaping of the branches: upswept with a flourish and festooned with color, much like a flamenco dancer or Salome and her seven veils.