The seasonal changes are often if not most of the time associated with visual cues. The color green reappearing in the spring alongside early flowers, the rich flowerbeds of the summer with lush forests and meadows, the turning leaves in the fall and browns and greys that eventually get covered by snow in the winter. Fall is here and it comes with these visual cues. We are approaching the point where the Deschutes River will be lowered to its winter level. The stream is part of an irrigation system, and the water flow is regulated. The water level has been dropping gradually, and a bright stripe appeared on the reed-covered shore, confirming the arrival of fall. That is an additional visual cue. A couple of days ago I was out by the river late. It had gotten dark so none of the colored leaves or the bright stripe in the

Last week I rode my bike in the morning on the Portland Springwater Corridor – a trail that goes along the Willamette River between the Tillicum bridge and the Sellwood bridge and then turns inland. In the morning this trail is used by a good number of commuters, headed into Portland for their day’s business. This is reflected in their riding – focused and steady. While there is no formal trail etiquette – people are courteous especially since the bicyclists are sharing the trail with runners and walkers at the same time. So, it is common to call ahead before passing another person, to wait for oncoming bicyclists before passing, and to alert people if something lies on the trail or if you see an issue with their respective bikes, like a bag about to slip off. That day an oncoming bicyclist shortly before passing me raised his arm up

On our final berry picking trip in the middle of August we wanted to fetch the last harvest of blueberries for the year. We knew it was late but the websites for the farm we intended to go to showed berries still being available. In hindsight one has to wonder if indeed the webpage was current. When we arrived, it was clear the place was already deserted and a big sign proclaimed that the farm was closed. Since it is quite a drive to get there, we decided to at least take a look and so we marched into the first row. It was immediately apparent that indeed it was late (too late?). One was surrounded by the smell of fermenting fruit from all the berries that had fallen to the ground. There were some berries on the vines – many super soft but some just about okay or tolerable.