Community Corner
Holiday Colors in the Trees of Millbrae
Taking time to stop, look, and listen will brighten your day or night!
Autumn colors the trees and hillsides from September through December in Millbrae. Some colors are from the fruiting trees; others are from leaves and grasses. Since frost is rare, many trees hold their leaves year round. Residents seem to embrace the varieties so they have both beautiful fall colors and evergreen trees in their landscaping.
Having lived in severe winter climates in Montana, Colorado and Massachusetts, I was accustomed to bare trees and monochromatic grays in December. The only colors came from holiday lights and decorations which seemed even more spectacular in contrast.
Shuffling through leaves on the sidewalks and side streets brings my attention to the colors, shapes, and intricate webbed skeletons of the different types of leaves.
Looking upward, the crisp blue sky creates a stunning background for the reds, oranges, yellows, and rust colors. The sky peeps through holes in the leaves, appearing like eyes in a mask or on an animal. The sun casts shadows of leaf shapes onto other leaves, creating abstract compositions of color, shape, and value.
The Millbrae Christmas tree is decorated and celebrated near the Police Station. Palms on Broadway light the path for evening shoppers. Lights and decorations fill barren trees and evergreens adding to the natural colors of Autumn. Festive and fun is the feeling I get from the residents who have enhanced nature's beauty with their holiday decorations.
There is music in the air that brings a smile to my face. Funny how one smile spawns others, and sometimes a friendly conversation with a neighbor or fellow shopper.
Take time each day to breathe in the crisp air and really appreciate the colors. You may find people smiling back at you, because you too have a smile on your face, you didn't even know you were expressing until others smiled back. Spread that cheer from your heart and you may touch a heart and perhaps even make a new friend.
There are smiles in the leaves in the photos if you look closely. Share your smile and watch what happens.
Enjoy the holiday colors in nature and in your colorfully decorated town.
If you see spectacular colors in nature or decorations, share them with us in the comments below.
