Really. This is getting seriously ridiculous. Autumn refuses to leave. But I think it’s on its last legs now, so this may honestly and actually be the last of it.

These lovelies are from my breaking-in-shoes walk a couple of Saturdays ago. For the most part, we’re down to a few bedecked branches, and some solitary leaves that have fallen artistically into the evergreenery.

Y’all see why I love that leaf, right? It wasn’t even sunny, and this thing was glowing. Gorgeous.

Here’s another:

They don’t seem to understand it’s autumn’s end.

Then there’s this little plant, and I have no idea what it is, but I think it’s delicious.

And really, the lichen-covered rock as a backdrop – smashing. I think that photo deserves my last greatest autumn song. I love this song as much as I love that plant: this is Mostly Autumn’s “Carpe Diem.”

Gorgeous stuff.

Now, I’m hoping that if we remind these autumn leaves it’s almost Christmas, they’ll concede that yes, it’s officially winter, mid-winter will be here in a tick, probably time to give way to the snow and the cold and the gray, except where evergreen shrubs pop out with their bright red berries.

No, scarlet leaves. You are not red berries. Don’t be silly.

Perhaps if we play autumn off with an autumn song that sounds slightly like a Christmas song, maybe that’ll work.

Look, autumn. The houses are all bedecked in midwinter lights. It’s time to accept this. Although I admit – you and lights? Lovely!