What were you doing that fateful moment of this day, 10 years ago...

I had just left for work and was rounding the corner onto Teal Ave. when I turned on the radio to listen to Gomez & Dave on TK99.  The news was on and I had a hard time understanding what was happening.   It was very chaotic and I didn't understand what was going on.  I honestly thought there was a hoax similar to The War of The Worlds, where people didn't know it was only a story. 

I recall there being a policeman directing traffic at Teal and Grant Blvd, as he was blocking everyone's entrance to continue down Teal Ave, the route I would take, the back way to hop onto the thruway, heading East to Oneida, where I worked.  I don't recall why the road was closed, though as he motioned me to go down Grant Blvd, I slowed my vehicle down to him, and with my window rolled down and radio turned up fairly loud, I asked him what was going on, as I can't grasp what was going on, on the radio.  That was when he had told me that a plane had just hit one of the World Trade Center Towers. 

That was at 8:56 AM. 

8:46:26 a.m.: American Airlines Flight 11 impacts the north side of the North Tower (1 World Trade Center) of the WTC between the 94th and 98^th floors. American Airlines Flight 11 was flying at a speed of 490 miles per hour (MPH).
I just recall staring at him as his words floated to my ears. It was almost like everything had slowed down in the universe as the impact of what he was trying to tell me, had made it's way to my ears.

In shock, and trying to listen to the news report, I continue my treck towards the Thruway when, while driving I hear the on-location news reporter start screaming "Oh My God another plane has just hit the other tower!" That was just after 9 AM.

9:02:54 a.m.: United Airlines Flight 175 impacts the south side of the South Tower of the WTC between the 78^th and 84^th floors at a speed of over 500 MPH. Parts of the plane including an engine leave the building from its north side, to be found on the ground up to six blocks away.
I arrive to work and half the staff are in the attached residential home, gathered around the tv.  The rest of the staff are huddled around the tv in the conference room of the main office. 

And while everyone was glued to the tv, watching the towers burn, the 2nd tower starts to collapse..

9:59:04 a.m.: The south tower of the World Trade Center suddenly collapses, plummeting into the streets below. A massive cloud of dust and debris quickly fills lower Manhattan.

While I watched from the residential home, screams could be heard, not only from our place, but also in the main building where everyone else was. 



Where were YOU when this happened??

Taken at this year's New York State Fair

© 2011 Greeneyezz

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I can feel her in the air..

Ever so slightly, but it's there.
I'm on my porch, coffee beside me and The Blue Moon Cafe on in the background.  It's humid and 80 degrees already.  The wind very gently blows through a chime I have strung.  It tinkles softly as its melodious notes and warm breeze wafts its way through my hair, gently blowing a tousled  curl, giving me some relief from this cloistering end-of-the-summer heat.

But I can still feel it

coming.

Autumn.

With its blazingly glorious colors on fire, like the cracklin' sound of a log in the hearth. Its tendrils of smokey flames lapping and curling it's way around the seasoned log, as flames shoot high.

I love this time of year that we're entering into. It's usually ushered in with such grace. A cool night here and there, a leaf or three found, not fading in color, but intensifying its brilliance.  Almost as if it begs to be noticed. Its last hurrah, before paling, falling. Blown down a path, to settle itself in front of you like a sacrifice.

Many people, when thinking of Autumn, automatically associate that with the coming of Old Man Winter.  And though there are some, like me, who welcome this beautiful time, many seem to miss the true brilliance and wonderment that comes with this too short season.  To them, it signifies not only the ending of a glorious Summer but the pending dread of a very long and often bitterly cold Winter. 
If ever there was a proverbial bed of roses to stop and smell, signifying us not to miss what's in front of us, to appreciate what Nature clearly wants us to experience.. Autumn is very much like that. 
No need to look for that bed of roses leaves, its all around you.

The rustling of the leaves through the trees, while the crisp Autum-inspired breeze that entices you to be seduced by her.  Imploring you to take notice of her Artwork, her own canvas brilliantly awashed with hues of deep oranges, burnt siennas, rusts, golden yellows. and rich reds.  She paints her canvas with effortless strokes from her own natural paintbrush.  And the likes of artists like Monet and others can only aspire to be like her.

Living in an area that affords us all four Seasons, this is my favorite.  There is no 'pending doom' with the onslaught of Winter. To approach Autumn like that takes your focus off the wonder that's around you.  Enjoy it. That's what she's there for.  Enjoy it.

Enjoy the crispness in the air even when the sun shines brightly.
Enjoy the bounty of Summer's Harvest.. Grapes, Pears, Butternut Squash, Pumpkins and Pomegranates, all wonderfully ripe and ready for the picking, brought on by our wonderful summer.
Apple picking and apple cider. Cinnamon sticks.
Hay bales and hay rides.  Take yourself out and walk a country road with the sounds of the birds and leafs rustling your music.

And if you want to extend the wonder of this season, do like me...
Spend a weekend in The Adirondacks the third or fourth week in September, where the foliage is at it's Peak and utterly Outstanding!!.  And then come back to Central New York to enjoy it again Mid-October.

Just enjoy it.  Every time a leaf turns from a summer green to a brilliant copper or deep rust, she's trying to get your attention.
Stop and view the leaves. She wants you to.

Autumn's in the air.

© 2011 Greeneyezz

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