The skies are noticeably more gray lately in the evenings, except for the moments when the sun sets and the western sky is a tapestry of burning pastels. You also notice a tinge of chill in the air in the house, where the temperature is unmoderated and floats with whatever it is outside. The green chile plants in the back yard continue to grow and offer blooms, though- unaware of the season change perhaps, at least to the extent that they continue making fruit. Some of the plants produce only red peppers now. Those plants at least recognize something is going on.

One evening’s yield from the garden.

This also means the mountains up north will soon be cloaked in colorful incandescence as the aspen yellow and oak redden.

Such is fall in northern New Mexico.

For me, it starts with the last charge of teams in Major League Baseball through September, after the minor league seasons are done, and contenders are wrestling for post-season slots. The Mew Mexico State Fair stealthily comes, usually bringing with it some rain, and someone turns the thermostat down. You smell the unique scent of green chile being roasted in locations throughout the city. After the fair, at the start of October, the Balloon Fiesta suspends normalcy in the Duke City as every morning a showcase of colorful flying bulbs fill the sky over the spacious river valley.

The sky darkens earlier with each shortened day, which means the house also darkens earlier, since it is a poorly lit house. And the house also cools earlier. I am not very diagnostic or improvement minded or energetic or handy, so how the house is largely how it remains, and I adjust to its dictates. I find a blanket, stow away to the couch, and collaborate with sleep. My lizard blood takes over.

In time the air will become more brisk and, when moist, quickly infiltrate layers of clothes, or, when dry, burn your exposed skin. The sky will sully and the light dull under the spell of winter, except when spring rolls in its sleep, bringing a bright and semi-warm feel to the city. For a few hours.

Chayya, the Couch Queen