Reflecting on fall

Maple reflections

I am often amazed and amused by reactions of people, or the lack of them, in response to major events. There are some seriously historic events affecting us right now: Major financial upheaval, a presidential election with a black candidate, two major hurricanes battering the gulf coast, the Red Sox losing game 2 of the ALCS, trees in Maine changing color. OK, the last two are only historic for the moment, if there can be such a thing. But the rest are really, really important, yet we live on without much change or effort.

We were surprised that after hurricane Gustav passed through Louisiana, the major media dropped the story immediately. Electricity was out through major portions of the state for weeks, yet we had volunteers arriving during weeks 3 and 4 wondering what they were coming down there for.

The financial crisis that faces us certainly affects nearly everyone. But there are few actions that we can take locally to alter the situation. Even if we should go out and buy a new car right now to support the ailing auto industry, it's likely that the banks wouldn't give us a car loan. Plus, buying a new car would be 'more of the same' action that got us into this problem, overspending into debt.

Filling the hive

The diligent residents of New England are doing what they have always done, despite the news. Like the bee at the left, they are loading up the wood bin, sealing up the windows, canning the produce, and generally preparing for 6 months of cold, snowy weather. They talk, complain, and fret about the news, and some of it affects them directly, like the lobster men having to shut down for a few days because their major customer in Canada cannot buy any more lobster right now.

Hatchet Cove in October

But time marches on, and fall colors are a signal that it's time to put away the boat and fly rods. Fall is a beautiful time in New England. Our stop at LL Bean last week informed us that Columbus Day is the busiest day of the year in Freeport, a tribute to both the colorful countryside and the need for sturdy winter clothes.

So here's historic news for the weekend. The woods here are alive with color. I'm going to take my camera and capture some of it in a bottle to share with my friends during the long, leafless winter months down south. Call CNN. Let 'em know.