Every autumn, we go on a leaf hunt. Like the anticipation of the spring lilacs, we gauge the months against nature’s calendar. Waiting for the exact moment when the blossoms begin. Fall brings its own treasures.

            It starts before Labor Day with “Back to School” advertisers littering their papers with bright orange and yellows hues. That sets the stage. As patrols of kids shuffle down the street back to school lifting their voices, the trees listen. Their cheers tint the edges in red; their sad laments are the color yellow as some stubbornly hang onto their green. We watch and wait.

            According to tradition and the Department of Natural Resources site, Northern Minnesota leaves start changing “Mid to late September” slowly creeping down. People flock to the North Shore to catch their first glimpse of this Annual transformation. The “Peak color map” is a bible for this miracle.

            We went up north too early for the peak, things got off to a late start this year. Not hot enough, not cold enough, not enough rain, too much rain.

But being early, we were able to spot the first sparks of color. Those early trees always seem to be some of the prettiest. That may be because they are set against a canvas of green or because our autumn minds are starved for color.

            Some of the early colors were muted this year. Again everyone had theories. They tried to explain why this year just didn’t compare to last year’s glory and don’t hold your breathe. But we did.

            According to the DNR peak colors make an appearance in the Twin Cities shortly before Minnesota Education Association’s meetings in October. MEA was usually a day to enjoy a last gasp of color ending in a dark and dreary end of the month. But this year the autumn lingered. Halloween was vivid with costumes and maple leaves. All Saints Day halos ringed the oak trees. On All Souls Day, we prayed for this miracle of suspended animation.

            The news explained it as an effect of the drought. Some sort of chemical reaction failed to hold up its end of the bargain, so the leaves couldn’t fall. I think the trees are just enjoying our admiration. And like us they are not quite ready for the long dark months ahead. Just one more day of glory and hanging on for dear life.