Walking with Aki up the Perseverance Trail, I silently ask why this small stand of devil’s club is yellowing up. “Aki, what about those currents growing along that protected drainage, why are their still perfect leaves already cadmium red?” Under today’s gray skies it is easy to forget the many bright days of this sun rich summer. Maybe the currents and this precocious devil’s club are early harvesters, rushing to secure their riches before the onset of autumn storms. More likely I’m misreading bruises of stress; ignoring ragged brown edges of insect damage to enjoy an early taste of Fall.