A love hate relationship with fall

I have a love hate relationship with fall.

I love the bite in the air, the taste of the first rains and the immense power of the torrential downpours. But I hate wearing coats and hats. Most people love that feeling of bundling up when fall sets in, but it feel constraining to me, like I’m being pressed down into the earth by the clouds and the rains.

I love watching the leaves’ slow dance of color as the cool evenings force their transition. But I hate the constant gray smear that covers the sky, as it covers my mood, like the grief I feel over the loss of warm summer nights. Yet I love a reason to build a fire. Bright, crackling and sparking colors that match the splendor of the leaves. Mmmmm….

But life is about balance and I see those gloomy days as a necessary evil to appreciate the contrast of the bonus blue sky days. I love, love, love it when mother nature grants us a crisp, crystal clear day in the middle of fall and I remind myself that without the cool cold rains I wouldn’t get to live in this amazingly lush green place, with its amazing colors and diverse geography.

One would think that as a lifelong Oregonian I would be used to all this and merely accept it or like many people do, actually long for it, but I’ve just learned to appreciate the contrast. After all, life is often about accepting the things we cannot change and I’ve learned to accept my love hate relationship with fall.

Martin Cross

Broker | OR & WA

He/Him

I've lived in the Portland-Vancouver area my entire life, so I'm very familiar with its many neighborhoods—both in the heart of the city and throughout the suburbs. A few years ago, I made the move to Vancouver to be closer to my grandkids and even closer to nature. I love how easy it is to get outdoors here, whether it’s a walk through the Salmon Creek or Burnt Bridge greenways, or a stroll along Vancouver's fantastic waterfront. After nearly 25 years of filling homes with beautiful art and design as the owner of vintage furnishings and art galleries, I transitioned my passion for finding great pieces for great people into a career in real estate. My eye for quality and attention to detail benefit both buyers and sellers alike. Having owned and operated businesses for most of my life, I bring with me a strong background in problem-solving, collaboration, and hard work. I always say, “Great things rarely come from a 40-hour work week.” If you're looking for a dedicated, responsive, and compassionate Northwest native to help you buy or sell, I’d love to connect. Whether you're searching for a Craftsman, a Midcentury Modern home, a new build, a fixer-upper, or an investment property—from single-family rentals to duplexes or small apartment buildings—I'm here to help you make it happen.

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• T: 503-781-2950
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• martincrossrealtor@gmail.com