Fall Colors & Favorite Tunes
Photo: New York City - JRH, October 2024
Walking Memories
Returning from a visit to the grand-twins in New York City, I find myself still seeing Fall color from Central Park. That city in autumn is a unique experience that recalls both personal memories and cultural icons. The tree lined walks remind me of classic images and songs, like the cover photos from When Harry Met Sally—a special combination of sentiment and nostalgia. This season, I found more than ever, with a bittersweet appreciation for the fleeting moments.
Music for Autumn
“Autumn in New York”—the classic jazz song recorded by so many artists—seems like a soundtrack for my experience. And as we took our daily family walks, I couldn’t help but hum to myself. Another favorite tune came to mind: Simon & Garfunkel’s line about rambling “from the East Side to the Park.” For me, it was more than cute lyrics; it captured the ritual of exploration and inspiration of the beautiful setting.
Back Home to Fall Colors
Coming home, the local parks and forest preserves greeted me with their own autumn displays. The Harms Road Forest Preserve and Wilmette’s Gilson Park were peaking with vibrant reds and yellow that rival even Central Park. Yet there’s a quieter, reflective setting here. The changing leaves and shorter days bring both beauty and a touch of melancholy, a reminder of how time keeps moving ahead — and the urge to savor each moment.
Inspiration for Another Project
On a more practical note, the trip rekindled my energy to catalog favorite movies and music by years. Each favorite film or song is like a time capsule, offering a glimpse of what inspired me in earlier seasons of life. Soon I’ll have another list to share, and I’d welcome any personal favorites you might suggest as well.
Exploring Nature and Transcendence
The changing autumn moods have prompted me to research beauty and awe as pathways to transcendence. This reading points to something beyond these shorter days, hinting at something that surpasses the ordinary. Even more so, when nature provides such a profound display of life’s cyclical renewal. Recent conversations with my friend David Pritchard (who wrote “Feel the Rain” about the science of consciousness) have fueled my curiosity, linking this wonder with facing the future.
Finding Hope Amidst Change
In a time of controversial elections and changing environments, I take comfort in finding moments of beauty, whether in nature or architecture. These experiences stand as quiet reminders that better things are possible, when grounded in the appreciation of what’s here and now. As I continue to focus on what’s enduring, I’m reminded of Alfred North Whitehead’s “Process” Philosophy: how every moment, every Autumn color, or every musical note, may be part of a greater, evolving harmony. More on that later!
