November Mornings

[sahewitt]

Mornings, of late, have dawned clear and cold. The sun breaks through a line of nearly denuded trees, heralding the advent of the hibernal season. Nights, too, have augured immenent change. Crisp and cool have been the watchwords on the long, slow, inexorable march toward winter. At the least, it has remained clear and dry. Of course this too may change.

Transition marks time passages. Transition may or may not lead to expected ends. A day later, morning dawned clear and warmer, ultimately leading to a day not unlike a remembered spring morning. Winter is on the way, that is for sure but not this morning. For the time being, mild and moderate will hold sway. Hereabouts on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, they call it "Indian Summer" but this is merely window dressing.

As Christmas approaches, the weather surely will come more in line with the season. Soon the frost will be on the pumpkin and all will be right with the world. Not that things are not right, right now. The sun shone all day and temperatures remained moderate. Only now, as evening comes on have temperatures begun to dip slightly.

As I say, winter will settle in soon enough. Not the unrelenting rime of my younger days in New England but winter just the same. Soon, counting the days until springtime will begin in earnest but that is for another day. Another morning is upon us replete with the chill associated with the time of year. Suffice to say, winter is in the air.

Well, the weather has reverted to its earlier mode: comfortable and clear. It is in the low 70s today, quite comfy and warm. True to form, as the sun sets temperatures begin to dip. Continuing with the vacillation, the weather returned to the near seasonal the following day. With the clouds, came a deluge of rain. The comfort in the air dissipated.

This only serves to show not even good weather will last, so enjoy what you have today for tomorrow might well change. This aphorism has served me well here on the Outer Banks. Life in the South holds many such dualities. With weather patterns often a mixture of tropical influences combined with northern exposures, oftentimes elements of one or the other or both are evident in the weather as well as other parts of life.

(c) Stephen Alexander 2011