Fall is in the air - sort of

Fall in Southern California is not at all like that of my native New England. Take last week for example. Friday it was nearly 100 degrees out, on Saturday the temperature dropped over 20 degrees, Sunday and Monday it rained.

October rain in Southern California is news! Living in a region where the average annual rainfall is about 14 inches, getting an inch a month before the official start of the rainy season is, well unusual.

Fall is the season I miss most about New England.

My first exposure to Fall in Southern California happened during my Freshman year at USC. October arrived and I kept waiting for the leaves to turn colors and the night air to become refreshingly brisk - the leaves didn't turn and smog decended on LA instead. I finally realized it was Fall when a brown heavy leaf fell from a Magnolia tree hitting the ground with a "thud." In case you've never seen a dead Magnolia leaf think of it this way; it is the color of dirt, large, and sturdy enough to use as a garden trowel.

The leaves on the Liquid Ambers are starting to turn, but it isn't anything to become too excited about. About the time they reach a decent color we'll have a Santa Ana wind, the temperature will rise and the leaves will be gone. So, while I won't have many leaves to rake, the grass (and weeds) continue growing year round. These days the only brisk air I feel is when the air conditioner gets stuck in the "on" position.