Grand Marais is a quaint little town in northern Minnesota that my husband and I have gone to a couple times around this time of year. It is a bit of a drive, but well worth it once you see the peak of fall colors against the backdrop of Lake Superior.
We probably won't get a chance to get up there this year, but each year I think about what it is exactly that triggers the leaves to change. Years ago I researched this and read that science had determined that when the temperature of rain reaches a certain threshold this triggers the roots of trees to begin the change. Well, this year we would have had fall in June if that were true.
Now, science is settled once again it seems. It is the amount of daylight in a day as experienced by each individual tree. The change itself is not so mysterious. Trees begin to shut off supply of nutrients to the leaves. They close up shop, you might say. What determines whether the leaves are dull one year or brilliant the next is the amount of sunshine that occurs after this switch is flipped. Leaves on the sunny part of a tree will turn first, with the leaves at the bottom and in the shade to turn last. If you have a dull fall with overcast skies, the colors will not be nearly as vibrant as when the fall days are filled with gorgeous sunshine that we can bask in even on cool days.
Around this time of year I am never ready to close up shop myself. I resist packing away my shorts and sleeveless tops just yet. And, I know that we will still have plenty of warm days to come. But I also know that the number of days I will sit out on the deck without a sweater are numbered.
As I took Sophie for a walk this morning, the air was crisp and the sun warm. I found myself becoming more reflective and realized that maybe this is my own inner switch that begins preparing me for another cold Minnesota winter. It is a reminder for me to live life fully. Each day is a gift and should be lived as vibrantly as possible.
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