After waiting in the wings for what seems like longer this year, Fall has finally stepped out from behind the curtain to show her glorious colors...and the show is just beginning. The trees on the hill to the south haven't yet gotten their cue to change costumes. First on stage are the vineyards, parading their red and gold finery. Most grapes, like the barberas, are well disciplined, following the script and stretching vines along their support wires as requested. The zinfandels prefer improvisation, throwing their canes into the air higgledy-piggledy every which way. Taking center stage in my own yard are the old fruit trees in the front orchard, the plums and peaches wearing red, and the big tree that might be a cherry that has never had a mate to pollinate dressed in bright yellow. I fear the chickens think this is a follies review and have begun to strip off their feather boas, going into moult just as the night temperatures are dropping. The goats are going into rehearsal wearing fur coats. This spectacular production is presented only once a year, and I have front row season tickets!
