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Fall in the High Desert

Driving home after clinic last night I was struck by the sudden appearance of Fall in the color of the trees, the feel of the air, and the quality of the late afternoon light that shone down.

It happens fast, and suddenly Summer is gone and the mornings have a chill, the leaves turn that beautiful golden yellow, and it's time to bust out the long sleeves and sweaters again. I always enter a soup frenzy this time of year too, and break out my favorite Italian Wedding Soup and Lemony Chicken Soup recipes to make and enjoy in the cooler evenings. There's something so fundamentally comforting about a fragrant, nourishing soup and crusty bread, often accompanied by a rich glass of red wine to round out the meal.

Running during this time of year always makes me smile. As I ascend the desert trail I smell the late blooming desert plants with their tangy, spicy fragrance. I notice the shadows in slightly different positions than they've been all Summer long on the trail, and I appreciate the afternoon warmth that is now only temporary. When the sun descends, the temperature drops significantly, marking the change of season with a snap.

There's nothing quite like Fall in the high desert. Each time I encounter yet another one I realize how fortunate I am to to live in this amazing, stark, breathtakingly beautiful place.

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