This year’s autumn leaves have turned out far better than I expected. Despite the intense summer heat and worries that the foliage might wither, the colors around me — from the places I visited to the trees in my own garden — have shown surprising resilience and beauty.
I’m beginning to think that this year’s autumn colors are better than expected.
Some were worried that the extreme summer heat would cause the leaves to dry out prematurely. A friend who lives in Karuizawa even hinted that “Kumoba Pond might not be great this year…” But when I told him, “I saw the news about the foliage at Kumoba Pond,” he casually took it back, saying, “Yes, it actually held up quite well this year.”
Even on my way to Haneda Airport the other day, the autumn colors I saw from the monorail were vivid and beautiful.
The konara oak is turning a deep, rich shade.
The plane tree will likely follow a bit later.
And then there are the fallen leaves — an endless supply. No matter how much my wife sweeps, it never seems to end, and she has been sighing about it.
I suppose I’ll have to lend a hand tomorrow.
