Redefining Fall

Omala Valley, Kefalonia in late October

Autumn has a way of creeping up on you and breaking down your natural resistance to the inevitable invasion of winter. 

It not only bridges seasons, but emotions as well. 

Its crisp colors compensate for the falling and missing leaves, and its clear skies enable shapes, structures and reflections to become dominant in the landscape.

Much like redefining time and space...

St. Gerassimos bell tower at Omala, Kefalonia

Omala Valley, Kefalonia

Omala Valley, Kefalonia

Winding Down the Season

Cruise Ship "Armonia" docked in Argostoli, Kefalonia

Only a few more arrivals till mid November...

Cruise season is coming to an end...

Though an October cruise in the Mediterranean is a hit or miss situation
due to weather instability, Wednesday's passengers were luckier than most...

Bright sunshine, clear skies, perfect temperatures...

Only three days after that horrid storm...

October is such a fraud!

Vessels of all sizes on the calm waters of Argostoli Bay

The Storm is Gone, I Can See October Clearly Now

Ambela Vrysi, Kefalonia
 

Kefalonia's October mood

The storm was frightening, the rain overwhelming, and the sight of mud flowing through every creek and crevice was shocking.

But the day after was bright, the colors more vibrant than ever, and the flowing water crystal clear—as if never violated by intruding materials and matter.  

Catharsis, I believe, it is called.

Cyclamen Galore

Cyclamen: Colors of Kefalonia in Autumn

Just when the earthy, muted tones of October begin to get monotonous, a perky, vibrant color emerges here, there, everywhere.
It's cyclamen season!

I remember my fascination with cyclamen as a child.
Such a non-basic, unconventional color!

I recall collecting a bunch to present to my grandmother, only to be reprimanded by her—a look of absolute terror on her face as she watched me walk in with my gift in hand. 

Folklore had it that bringing cyclamen into the house would turn sour the new wine that was still fermenting in the basement. 

Unbelievable!

Ironically, now that grandma has long since passed away, and wine no longer ferments in the basement, I have no desire to cut cyclamen.

All I want to do, nowadays, is look and admire.

October's mixed signals: bright cyclamen among freshly fallen leaves

October Reflections

October reflections

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯October⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf; 

One from our trees, one far away. 

⎯⎯⎯Robert Frost⎯⎯⎯

Releasing leaves, one a time—as per the poet's wishes

Ambela Vrysi, Kefalonia 

Location Plus Time, Give or Take 45 Minutes

The phases and colors of an early October sunset.
Geography and a 45 min. span make all the difference!

Skala at sundown

 Photo above:  Skala Beach at 5:51 pm.

October sunset

Photo above: Leaving Skala and heading towards Ratzakli at 6:05 pm.

Sundown over Katelios

At 6:15 pm: As the sun has just set, the soft twilight colors that precede dusk, wrap Katelios in purple and violet ambience. True serenity. (photo above)

Kefalonia dressed in golden orange hues as twilight transitions to dusk

At 6:34 pm:  Roadside, over Sissia Monastery, overlooking Lourdas Bay and St. George's Fortress to the rear right. Orange rules! (photo above)

The soft colors of another day gone  (Sissia Intersection)

At 6:36 pm: Roadside, over Sissia Monastery, looking to the left, everything is in its right place—the shrine, the moon, the clouds, the purples, the reds, the gold...
(photo above)