Autumn arrived a while back — the Autumnal Equinox was a glorious day that made us appreciate dressing in layers, hot coffee, and the ability to walk in the midst of incredible splendor. New Mexico's usually dry season has changed to one of clouds and rain and cooler temperatures.

We really have experienced all the marvels of fall: brilliant blue skies, explosions of color in the mountains, and the scent of piñon smoke from adobe fireplaces with snow on the Sangre de Cristo mountains.

And the Cottonwood trees, the last to change from brilliant green to fluorescent yellow during autumn's last days, herald the impending winter.