some notes on returning home
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home. finally. my flat feels colder than the air outside, but i won’t turn on the heat yet. a cup of strong black coffee, unpacking, laundry. the rain comes down hard for a long time. epic weather calls for corn chowder for dinner, sourdough, a dark & stormy (normally these are strictly summer drinks to me, but they feel so perfectly appropriate tonight).
it’s good to realize how much this flat feels like “home” after time away. i notice how dark it becomes, early. i check online and realize that london is getting 10 fewer minutes of daylight than NYC right now. it will only get darker each day. i think about summer sunsets at 9:30pm and how lucky we were. i don’t feel prepared for this change in the weather. i’m hoping for a few golden sunny days in october.
this morning, i realize that the trees are not yet turning colors here. the grass is electric green. i wonder if the trees will ever turn bright colors, or if the green leaves stay on the branches until the rain & wind pull them to the ground.
this afternoon, a few minutes of sun. it is warm outside, and i go for a walk through east london. i feel invigorated by the things i see around the city. i must admit, it is good to be home.
vivid descriptions. or maybe you just stuck a chord with me.
That is good to hear. :)
oh. missed reading you. welcome back.
welcome back! that was some epic rain yesterday, eh.
it sounds lovely to be home.
One of the first things I noticed when I lived in London (fall of 2004) was that the leaves never really changed color. If they turned any color, they turned brown and then just fell to the ground. No reds, oranges or yellows.
So lovely – your words are just as wonderful as the stories your pictures tell.
I just got in from a bike ride around my neighbourhood, which is alive with reds and yellows. I needed mittens, though – hasn’t even cracked the double digits (celsius) here for a couple of days.
It’s hard to let go of those warm evenings in short sleeves, but each season has its own rewards. I’m relying on The National to help with the transition.
This is wonderful, Brian. I’m so glad you feel at home in London. Beautiful description.
Fantastic photos. They really tell a story. And nice descriptions here as well. Great site.
beautifully described; i can almost smell your evening.
There’s something magical about the moments when you really feel like a new place is home. I think you really captured that magic. This post was lovely.
can`t stop feeling cosy when in london and imagining myself being at home.
welcome home!
Don’t feel bad. The leaves aren’t turning in Portland, Oregon, either. They should be. I am wondering the same as you…will the leaves be on the ground before they turn color? Love your blog.
Such beautiful words. I love this post.
Such a beautiful post Brian, its as lovely to read your thoughts as it is to look at your pictures. x
hi you.
glad you’re finally home. and how wonderful to realize how much it feels like home now.
beautiful words and photos brian. glad to hear that london is feeling like home.
Beautiful pictures and words, as always!
Be well/
Adam from Sweden
such nice words. sometimes i notice green on the trees when i think they should be orange. fall comes quick and lasts a long while.