The Light of Autumn

One of the coolest things about living in Miami is the light. The writer T.D. Allman noted this years ago -- the light here is so strong and pure, that even average looking buildings can shimmer in it. And, since we have relatively little air pollution, thanks to the ocean and Everglades purifying what we produce, photography and film tend to be clearer. I enjoy the light best in the early morning and late afternoon -- when it's indirect. I always note where the sun is. This am, I was up after sunrise, fetching the paper along with the strange rescue dog, and the light was bizarre. The source of it seemed to come from the West, even though it was the morning. Sure enough, I saw what was happening: the newly risen sun was reflecting off monster cumulous clouds that were off in the direction the sun was headed -- the result was a yellow and orange, refracted onto the ground, that was eerie and beautiful. But the heat and humidity remain. Saturday night, Wifey and I went out with Norman and Deb, and I told Norman that my goal this year was to stay inside until October. Just a short walk from the car to the restaurant left us sweating. Good thing the wine and cocktails were cold. Speaking of cold, I just turned on the ac in the football watching room. Tonight is the first Canes game, and I want my dogs nice and comfortable. I'm headed out to pick up supplies (ice, beer, and chips) and will order the pizza at kickoff. The Canes are a question mark -- starting an 18 year old true freshman at quarterback. But, most importantly, the chance of enjoying the company of my guys, tonight and for the rest of the season, is 100%. So I can endure the heat. D2 is up in Gainesville, with the world's cutest spaniel, and it's hotter there. D1 is on Brickell, with the world's also cutest spaniel, and she gets the breeze coming off the bay. So another Canes season is here -- the 35th for me. It seems like yesterday I got on the bus on campus, to get dropped off at the Orange Bowl and for me, love at first sight. And now three and a half decades have passed. It's great when the light changes.