As Autumn Begins: Saying Hello And Goodbye Up In The Sky

/ Ally Bean

As the seasons change so does the early morning light, meaning that when I’m up early drinking my coffee out on the deck, I see things differently.

[Or is it that I see different things?]

Above is a photo in which you can see a jet plane, headed one direction, and the waning crescent moon headed the other direction.

[Look closely, they’re both there.]

To me this seems like they’re saying hello and goodbye as they pass each other, rather like the way in which summer and fall pass by each other on the calendar.

[Or something like that.]

I’m not a poet, nor do I profess to be profound.  Instead I notice things, photograph them, describe them, then allow my thoughts to meander.  Perhaps with no purpose.  Perhaps with a keen insight that I have yet to understand.

[Regardless, I think the above photo is cool.]

Happy Autumn, everyone.  I’m looking forward to it.  Whatcha got planned?  Spill the beans in the comments below.

115 thoughts on “As Autumn Begins: Saying Hello And Goodbye Up In The Sky”

  4. I like your thoughts and the picture!
    Still so hot here but hoping it cools down soon so it can feel like Fall.
    I plan to work on different writing projects that I have going on and be able to complete them before winter!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I love the photo and the symbolism. I am anxious to go home and see my husband. Fall walks, drives along the Blue Ridge mountains, and the widows and doors open while we drink our morning coffee. Ahhh fall!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Maggie, thank you. I snapped that pic on a whim and then got thinking about what it represented to me: change happening in two different ways, simultaneously. I like your fall plans, especially the windows open part. I love fresh air.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. My fall is busy with house guests. Two different step daughters coming for a week each. One with grandkids (which means my husband gets to go to an amusement park!). October will fly by. I’m hoping for a wonderful LLLOOONNNNGGGG fall. We deserve that.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. The light is different, isn’t it?

    Waiting for the temps of Autumn to really settle in, once and for all. Loving the cooler nights. I have a couple of short jaunts planned, one north and one south. It’s good to get a little travel in before the housebound time comes.

    Liked by 2 people

    • nance, the light is just different now. Like suddenly it’s clearer and I’m meant to see different things.

      I like the idea of traveling before we get to that time of year. I hope you enjoy the sights you see and the people you meet. Tender mercies

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  9. Watching our early onset rain, while already needing to sit under the fluffy blanket. Our Septembers are usually so beautiful and warm…not this one.
    Autumn decided to sneak up on me. My brain was not ready to turn the seasons over. I need a few days to readjust my brain!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. A few years ago after I took a morning photo of the waning crescent (the waxing crescent is only visible during the late afternoon/early evening… some moon trivia for you), I tried to find a good scientific explanation for why you can clearly see the illuminated part of the moon when the sun is out, but the dark part of the moon is completely invisible. I couldn’t find one. Just a bunch of conspiracy theories about how the moon is actually fake and controlled by the government or the Masonic Society, or something similarly sinister. Are we sure that isn’t a super secret military plane pulling the fake moon through the sky? If this post gets suspiciously deleted in the next few hours, I guess we’ll know the answer to that question…

    Liked by 2 people

    • evilsquirrel13, first, I didn’t know that the waning crescent moon was only visible in the morning sky. I just knew it was morning when I took the photo and I knew the moon was waning because it was after a full moon, so I said the right thing here more by accident than by design. [Better to be lucky than smart.]

      Second, I didn’t know there were conspiracy theorists who think the moon is fake. Now that I know this I’m almost wordless. The Masons are controlling the moon? People be weird.

      And thirdly, apropos of the foregoing, yours was the 33,666th comment on this blog. Somehow that seems meaningful considering we’re talking about conspiracy theories and all! 😳

      Liked by 3 people

  11. Cool photo indeed! I love the transition times at the start of autumn and spring when it’s so clear the light is changing in its intensity and angles – always seems so magical to me. I’m gearing up to tackle a bunch of fun creative projects this fall – can’t wait to get started.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deborah, thank you. I don’t often have my camera outside with me early in the morning but I did this time. I was going to try to photograph the morning sun shining through the trees, but that didn’t work. I was too early, but I caught this image instead.

      I like the idea of some fall creative projects. We’ll be doing some, but more in the sense of planting in the garden for next year rather than making something for the now.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. My fall plans: get the yard ready for winter, finish up with what I need to do in the garage like set up an emergency kit for power outages, go to the last farmer’s market and get the quack grass around my husband’s grave stone cleaned up. Same old same old…but there’s comfort in seasonal traditions.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Jean R, I’ll be doing some of the same things as you this fall. I/we need to winterize the yard and I want to visit the farmers’ market one last time. I agree that there’s a comfort in putting everything right before winter. You have a pleasant way of thinking about the transition between seasons.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. I agree, cool photo, and even cooler that you noticed the world above us, took time to reflect and then share your thoughts about it. Well…since you asked what’s up for our fall – new windows. We ordered them end of June. The weather this year has postponed the installation on multiple projects, including ours. Apparently they don’t give a ___, what we think about that. I’m hopeful they will be installed before the snow flies…!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Shelley, thank you. I happened to look up into the sky at just the right moment. Another second longer and there wouldn’t have been anything trippy to see.

      We, too, are waiting for new windows to be installed. We ordered in late May and they were to be here in mid-September. In truth the windows did arrive here but all 10 of them were mis-measured. Soooo we’re back to waiting for new windows. 😫

      Liked by 2 people

      • Trippy – clever, wonder where those folks in the plane were off to?
        OMG – I would be so…mad. Yikes! We haven’t seen if ours fit yet or not. Oh, dear, now I’ve got that to think about, thank you ;-)!

        Liked by 1 person

        • The planes that circle over us in the morning are, I think, redeye flights coming in from the west coast. I wave hello when I see them.

          As for the windows, I felt total defeat as this debacle played out. Every window wrong– only confirmed after three windows didn’t fit. The old windows were no longer usable so we have makeshift temporary windows jammed into the holes while we wait for the correctly-sized ones to get here. Defeated, I say.

          Liked by 1 person

    • Donna, thanks. I was thrilled that I caught the image of what was going on above me. You’ve got rain there, huh? It’s still warm and dry during the days here, but the nights are cooler. The leaves haven’t started to turn yet which will mean that Autumn is here in earnest. 🍁

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  16. I love photos like that-the timelessness of nature versus the transitory plane flying through. The blue sky is lovely too. I’m feeling the change of season in the crisp air and the fading away of my annuals, while my grass has started growing abundantly again. Plans for the fall-possible travel back east, and a trip to Maui in November. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Margaret, I liked this photo, too. You explained it better than I did. It’s beginning to get cool at night here, but our grass is almost dormant. Hawaii is a great place to visit. Many people adore Maui, so I hope all goes well for you. [Been there, did not care for that island.]

      Liked by 1 person

      • I’ve been to Hawaii three times, but only Oahu and the Big Island. I liked both. If Maui is all about beach sitting, I probably won’t enjoy it that much. It’s only 5 days though, so I’ll walk on the beach and try to stay active. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        • We’ve been to Oahu, the Big Island, and Kauai. We loved the last two, enjoyed the first on. However Maui didn’t thrill us. Been there twice even.

          I don’t remember much in the way of beaches, but I do remember how commercialized the whole island was– fancy stores and expensive restaurants. Very posh. We drove around forever on the island to get to these great vistas that were beautiful, but required hours in the car. All-in-all it was exhausting, not exhilarating to be there.

          Liked by 1 person

  17. Autumn is perhaps my favourite time of year. Mother Nature paints such a magical picture with her brushstrokes of such magnificent colour and it seems to be a time to just nest a little.

    Fall plans include a lovely getaway cottage weekend with our children and granddaughter, another cottage getaway with girlfriends, followed by hubby & I taking a little vacation in Portugal for a much needed bit of respite! Yikes, that sounds busy!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Lynn, yes, yes. All you said about Mother Nature. Your fall sounds like it’ll be fun. It’s nice that you’ve got this all planned ahead. I’d guess that the three different vacays will keep you hopping, in a good way, not an exhausted way. Have fun. Take pictures. Be sure to enjoy it all.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Janis, thank you. I know what you mean about traveling in the fall. It seems a shame to miss the change of seasons at home, but sometimes the travel deals are worth giving that up. What to do, what to do…

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Yay! Happy Autumn! This is my favorite season! I love cooler temperatures! And the leaves turn such beautiful colors! 🍃 🍂 🍁 The only plans I have involve more writing and enjoying the season. Oh and getting as many apple donuts in my mouth as I can! 🍩

    Liked by 1 person

    • L. Marie, I like your attitude about autumn. I, too, love the colors and I love the fresh apples and I’m sure I could come to love apple donuts. Will look for them when we’re out and about.

      Like

  20. That photo looks similar to something I’ve been trying to catch but mine would be at night with the moon rising since that’s the way the planes fly over our house. One of these times I’m gonna make it. Autumn always means our trip to Boulder Creek for the golf tournament. For the last 25 years we’ve been there during the last week or two of September. I have the scrapbooks to prove it – LOL. Other than those 3 days, we got nothin. Not even any concerts! We had insulated windows put in our house shortly after we moved here as part of the airport noise abatement project. We didn’t have to pay for any of it and got new doors as well as windows. It really made a difference because we live smack dab between the airport and the train tracks.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janet, jets circle over our house in the mornings between 6-8 a.m. I think they’re redeye flights from the west coast, waiting to be given permission to land so while they wait the pilots fly around above the suburbs.

      I remember your yearly vacation to Boulder Creek. It seems like you get to have such a great relaxing time there. I think you’re smart to not golf.

      Interesting how you got new windows and doors. Good for you. Your house must seem so much cozier because of those improvements. You can’t stop the planes/trains, but you can adjust to them.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Nice picture. It’s not light enough to sit on my deck any more in the morning with my coffee. That is such a big disappointment. I will have to wait again until next year. I make no major plans, I just try to enjoy the weather.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Michele, I’m a bit sad when the day arrives that it’s too cold and dark for me to sit outside in the early morning with my coffee. I understand your disappointment. I like your approach to autumn. I plan on enjoying it, too.

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  24. I love the way the light changes in autumn, and the crispness in the air. Today is a glorious sunny Fall day here after two weeks of coastal rain, so I am going to take some time for a trail walk.

    Jude

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    • Jude, I feel the same way about the clear fall light. I don’t know when I first became aware of its impact on me, but I realize now that once it shows up here I’m like a new person. Ready to let go and get moving. Enjoy your walk, make it a good one.

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  27. I do like that photo. I have lots of “sky shots”. They may not look like much, but they remind me of a happy moment. Well before autumn is over, my career will grind to a halt. Plans are flexible beyond that point.

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    • Dan, I know what you mean about the sky shots. Most of them seem bland, but this one at least has a bit of interest in it. That’s right, you’re counting down the days this autumn. Welp this fall will be a memorable one for you. Congrats.

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  29. Autumn used to be my favorite season. Then I started teaching. Now I equate it with back to school, which is the most stressful part of my year. Guess which season I love most now? That’s right: SUMMER!! I predict in retirement I will return to loving fall, with the leaves and the cooler weather and stuff. Plans: work, work, work, but also an anniversary trip to San Antonio! Fancy hotel and a romantic long weekend. Can’t wait.

    Liked by 1 person

    • The Travel Architect, your reasoning makes sense to me. There’s more to liking a season than the weather. We’ve had great times when in San Antonio and I’m sure you will, too. Sounds like a good plan.

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  30. I saw a big plane zipping through the very blue sky this morning. That plane was lemon yellow. I’ve never seen one that color before. I like looking up at the sky and am fascinated by contrails. I had a photo of two contrails that criss-crossed and I thought that was very cool. I used it for my post “X marks the spot” when I mashed my finger. I hope to resume some woodsy walks once we have a hard freeze and the pesky mosquitoes are toast. In the interim, I have to be more productive with outside and inside things that I’ve let languish all Summer due to the weather.

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  32. can seasons be confused? I think so – or maybe it’s just me. I thought it ok to put away the jerseys and jackets but the rain and cold tells me otherwise. I also saw a beautiful golden moon in the early hours (around 5.00) this morning. So Ally Bean, you amble in Autumn while we step sideways into Spring. Have fun 😀

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  33. “I’m not a poet, nor do I profess to be profound. Instead I notice things, photograph them, describe them, then allow my thoughts to meander.”
    Isn’t this just the essence of blogging so often? Meandering thoughts….

    Of course, we in the Southern Hemisphere are now in Spring and the days are lengthening. I am very much looking forward to sunny days to get back out on the trails. But I do love Autumn. My favourite season.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Master of Something Yet, yes it is! Blogging is all about the meandering thoughts with a few pics thrown in for good measure. Smart observation there.

      I like spring and sometimes wonder what it’d be like to live somewhere that had spring-like weather year round. Would we be healthier because we’d be able to get outside on the trails every day of the year? Or would we become indifferent to the great weather and take it for granted?

      And just like that I’ve meandered down another path. Enjoy your spring. I promise to enjoy autumn here.

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  35. Mowing leaves. Raking leaves. Sweeping leaves. Moving leaves from Yard to Woods. But enjoying the air &crisps temps – and appreciating the fact that I have a yard to work in, and can still do all of these things.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Zen-Den, yes you’re right. We’ll be spending lots of time with leaves. Looking at them, moving them around, muttering about them. But like you said, thank goodness we can do all of those things. 😊

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  37. We had nice cool weather here last week, and now it’s hot again. Windy too, which means high fire danger in dry California summers. Technically it is Autumn, and it is darker later in the morning and earlier in the evening than it was…but it’s still hot. It’s supposed to cool off in the next couple of days, and hopefully it won’t be a hot October…we usually get a couple of really hot days. Some early rain would be a blessing, with the horrible fires we’ve had the last couple of years. Blah blah blah, it’s all about the weather I guess. In the plans department, I am looking forward to a visit from my SIL in early October. I wish my brother were coming with her, but I will be glad to see her. Also looking forward to going back East (DC) with my stepmom and sister in early November. I haven’t been to DC since 1995, so I guess I’m overdue.

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    • J, your weather difficulties are interesting to read about, but I’m sure are stressful to live with. Awareness is key I suppose.

      When we went to DC a few years back I hadn’t been there in decades, too. I was pleasantly surprised by how much cleaner and friendlier it was. Of course that was before Cheeto Mussolini was on the scene, so who knows now. I’ll look forward to reading about your experiences while there.

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  38. the photo is a great capture – perfect for the changing of seasons and what you noted in the post.
    also – maybe— the dichotomy of man vs nature – (plane and moon) and then the composition of the photo went to a new level with the adjacent corners – tree and house (also man – nature)
    —

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    • philmouse, thank you. I was surprised when I saw what was happening in the sky above me, and even more surprised when I realized I had snapped a pic of it. Right place, right time. A good way to start my Fall.

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  40. this is my favorite time of year….love how blue the sky gets and the cool, crisp air. we leave for London, Paris and Munich in a week….looking forward to it, though the weather shows some rain – boo.

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  41. Hi. Even though I’m not a fan of winter, I like living where there are four distinct seasons. As for autumn, I’m looking forward to the leaves changing colors. Not much of that has happened yet where I live (the Philadelphia region). Have they started to change in your region?

    Neil S.

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  42. Um, so far what I notice is that I have to turn on a lamp when I rise. 😦
    Campus tour, apple orchard, bulb planting, and hopefully a few treks through the woods. I don’t know if we’ll make it to the lake this fall. I always think October should be much, much longer. Like 45 days long and 16 hours of daylight. It’s my favorite and I never have enough fun because time.

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