Last fall, the tree outside my back window was not as tall as my second-story deck. This year, the tree is towering over that deck and the changing color took me by surprise this morning.

From the upstairs hallway, I can see out the sliding-glass door and across the deck. The tree is currently a blazing orange and red and the color startled me enough to make me think something was on fire right outside the door.

My heart raced at the thought of being on fire. Then I was just in awe at the beauty of nature. What a wonderful palette fall brings us!