I have never liked autumn. For me, fall is a punitive descent into the abyss of winter. I am Canadian and the climate I am accustomed to includes harsh winters and paltry summers.
The fall season I am used to consists of brownish-gray leaves and stale grass. The first snowfall can plague the city even before the leaves have had the chance to turn yellow; burying piles of soggy, smelly leaves to rake.
But I must say, being in Kalamazoo this fall has warmed by heart, slightly, to this season.
Michigan's version of fall starts with a hint of something in the wind – a mix of rain clouds hovering in the sky and the fragrance of moist forest trees; traces of fall can even be smelled in the middle of downtown Kalamazoo.
The leaves change color slowly, and there are four colors the leaves can flaunt: green, yellow, orange or red. Red leaves! Never in my life have seen such an exuberant and vibrant red.
A heavier jacket is generally required, but if the sun chooses to shine, it emits enough heat to sport a sweater and comfortably enjoy an afternoon stroll.
The wind blows and whistles with force during the night, shaking the trees and the walls of the house. Rain may sprinkle, but clears in the morning light with remnants of puddles and scattered leaves on the car window.
A Kalamazoo fall is a gentle transition into winter. So far, fall is stretching into its third month with no sign of snow and sparse leaves still dangling from tree branches. The sound of kids can be heard while they muster leaf piles and laugh in the rain, jumping around in their rubber boots.
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