Remember: Fall Always Leads To Winter

Today a reminder: Fall always leads to winter.

Okay, so on one level it's a "Duh!" But there remains something in this that we can consider as we write on a sunny morning in the Northeast.

First, to get this, you've got to have four seasons - or at least understand the changes that occur therein. For those who life in one of those relatively namby-pamby weather zones like San Francisco and environs, where temperatures remain mostly moderate most of the year, you'll have to tap into your experience or your imagination.

Anyway, here' in Four Season country, we typically settle into Fall as it modulates from summer heat to cool, eventually chilly crisp days. These are especially invigorating when summer has been particularly hot and humid. But even if summer wasn't the worst, it's still a refreshing time.

Then there are the leaves changing from green to their palette of fall colors. This year's change has been muted. They say it's because we've had a dry-drought streak for a few months, but whatever the reason, there it is. Still, the colors do come and if you take the time to stop and see, it remains a wonder.

Of course, for us who have big trees outside our homes, there's the clean of all those colorful trinkets that eventually wind up on the ground. But there's always a price to pay, right?

As November marches on, we begin to get the occasional shot of winter temps, and, albeit rarely, a possible early snowfall. There's out signal: Fall always leads to winter.

For some reason, lots of folks dread winter. They hate the cold. Hence we've got a species of mankind known as the "Snowbird" that flees to places like Florida during the late fall/early spring to avoid the bite of cold air and frozen precip. 

The non-snowbirds sit tight and either endure or actively enjoy the arctic air that descends in waves upon us for some months. Oh, and having mixed feelings about winter is OK too. Some days, the cold feels like a shot of life itself come to revive the soul trapped in this weary world of pain and sin. Other times, we might prefer a cozy place by the fireside (for those who still have one).

And then there are those respites from biting cold that typically dapple the winter landscape. When in balance, these respites make winter bearable for most of us - perhaps.

While the last few years have found the Northeast relatively bereft of any serious snowstorms, there's usually one or more of these to contend with. As kids, these were something to look forward to. A day (or more) off from school, building snowmen, snowball fights, belly down on our sleds, etc. What could be more fun. 

For adults, it's more of a mixed bag. Someone's got to shovel the stuff to keep life going. And that means either a snowblower, a shovel, or a combination thereof. Even those who employ professional services to do the heavy lifting will face some inconveniences, even dangers, when we try to get around, especially when we rely on our cars to do so. 

You know, if you re-read all the above meandering thoughts, you can easily see how all this can be applied to our economy and our markets. Things are always in some state of flux. There's not permanent plateau to be reached that brings us to a Never-Never Land of peace and prosperity. Maybe for a bit, but not forever.

You can even see a reflection of our physical, emotional, psychological, most especially our spiritual lives. There's no floating along on calm waters for the vast majority of us. Life brings its ups and downs, right? And the more we understand this and find ways to deal with it, the better - and preferably not with the aid of the various chemical dependencies that so many rely on.

Well, that's pretty much it. Just some thoughts for this mid-November to ground us in reality. Let the landscape surrounding us go about its business. (Actually, it's going to do that no matter what we think or do.) And as it does, we'll go about our business, understanding the ups and downs that inevitably accompany (or afflict) us day to day.

Perhaps this reminder that fall always leads to winter will assist us.