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The smell of fall

The first thing I noticed when I got out of the car in the driveway of my Colorado cabin was the smell. It's a lovely, sweet melancholy scent. Fall is in the air. I don't really know what sweet melancholy smells like, other than to say there's something about it that puts you on notice that winter is just around the corner. It's a smell that tells you summer is over and it's going to get darker and colder very soon. But for now, it's autumn and it's glorious. The grass is golden and the trees and bushes are ablaze with yellows and reds, the wind blowing leaves about like a flurry of butterflies. There is no fall smell in Hawaii. In fact, Hawaii has it's own special smell, of tradewinds and salt water, foliage and flowers and moistness. They are mostly nice smells to be sure, but the smell of fall in the Colorado mountains is especially wonderful. Unfortunately, a photo will have to wait, since this computer at the library does not have a slot for my camera chip. Bummahs. Not that a photo could convey a smell, really....
One of the most obvious differences I've noticed between my new home and my old one is this: In Gunnison, there are lots of skinny people wearing lots of clothes. In Hawaii, there are lots of fat people wearing next to nothing. Here in Gunnison, it's all about flannel, polar fleece and hiking boots. Oh, and there are hats. Plenty of hats. In Hawaii, it's surf shorts, aloha shirts and slippahs. Although I did see that chubby, tatood girl in downtown Hilo last week wearing Uggs. Ugh! I guess she made an impression. I'm still visualizing the image in my mind's eye. Brutal.
I've just been here one night, but have managed to connect with and run into several old friends and acquaintances. That's the beauty of a small town and of working as a small town journalist. Both the job and town afforded me the opportunity to get to know just about everyone one here or to at least learn to recognize them enough to say howdy.
I spent last evening strumming my ukulele. With no TV in the house, it seemed like a good thing to do. And since nobody was there to hear me and dispute it, I can say that I sounded pretty good. The acoustics are great in there. The place is totally empty except for a futon pad and the kitchen table with a single chair. There are no troublesome couches, chairs or pictures on the walls to muddle the sound. I do have my iPod and a radio and so there are plenty of tunes to keep me company. I'm already planning a trip back here this winter. I'm thinking it would be nice to check on the place in early February and maybe do a little skiing, too. Maybe if I pull a few addition shifts at the winery I can swing it....
I'm now off to the hardware store to buy plastic and insulation for windows and pipes. I promise that photos will be coming soon. There's gotta be a computer in town that can upload my pics.
A hui hou. Aloha.

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