Kicking Leaves

I was riding on the 70 degree wave of the ODD, summer weather we experienced last week but, a walk down to Argo Tea Café this past Monday brought on a nostalgic wipe-out to that surf-ride. Halfway through my walk I found myself crunching and rustling through amber colored leaves that had covered the sidewalks of Briar Place [street] and with each swoosh of my fancy boots released that wet, earthy sent that leaves hold as they begin to disintegrate into the earth. I had forgotten about this wistful childhood memory and with this, a sudden stream of manic epiphanies came.

First, what the heck happened to fall and the ardent display of fall colors? Was I supposed to embark on a Wisconsin or Michigan road-trip to experience the change of events? I’m looking out my 20th floor windows onto the lake and yep, I missed fall. Skeletal trees are starting to adorn Lake Shore Drive and the rest of this urban jungle.

Secondly, I’ve been here two years and I just acknowledged fall? Ms. “live in the moment” “stop and smell the roses” person- me! Did I fall victim to my own unconscious defense mechanism, trying to fight against the negative degree weather soon to come? I did.

Thirdly, why is it nostalgic? Well, it’s nostalgic because, as a child and immature creature of earth, our given grace and wonder of the world we live in lets us capture these evanescent moments. Juvenile breaths in time where you accept what is and entertain it with curiosity and playfulness. Boy, how many times through out the day do we forget to do this? These particular epiphanies are when I admire Will Farrell and his goofy-like character. Wouldn’t date him but I would love to keep him in a box and take him out to play at my leisure. My own Drop Dead Fred! 
 
Lastly, DAMN! I have arrived at my destination but failed to fully take in that fall stroll down to Argo Tea… can my neurotic thoughts please stop “Pumpkin chai latte please…with soy” maybe the added pumpkin flavor will redeem my lack of appreciation to Mother Nature’s wonder (another neurotic thought). After two hours of web surfing on my laptop, consumed by another stream of manic thoughts regarding my single status, I succeeded in clearing my mind upon exiting the café. I enjoyed every single amber-decaying leaf that crossed my path on my way home. With a little Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young melody strumming in my sub-conscious, I gleefully and rather dramatically made it a point to break through the clusters of dead leaves along the way…secretly wishing on a mound to present itself.