Late bloomers, onging foliage

I think this has been one of the more interesting falls in terms of the variety of flowers blooming and leaves changing at various times. I took the photograph above today and was shocked that the rose ended up opening into a perfect bloom. When the bud formed we were having consecutive evenings with the lows below freezing and I was sure that it would not make it to a mature bloom.The second photograph was the bud which I thought would turn brown and drop off but instead it cooperated and form a perfect blossom. There is still so much fall foliage I almost need sunglasses when I look at the trees. I looked back at photographs from last year and I'm correct in thinking that some of the fall leaves are several weeks later this year than last year. The oaks are still changing while last year they were almost finished and dropping off by this time. However, the dogwoods, maples and other earlier fall leaves where I live, changed ahead of time this year and have lingered longer.I know the drought and rain have both been factors. Although the rain we've had this fall hasn't been enough to end the drought, it has been a factor in the signals the plants have received. The roses which didn't do well this summer got a nice burst of energy from the rain, as did gerber daisies. I think it may have also slowed down the leaves which hadn't changed yet, to get some rain. I'm happy that we'll have a rainy thanksgiving. Rain, snow, sleet, at this point I don't care what we get as long as we keep adding to the reservoir which supplies my city's water supply.
I took the photograph above a few days ago in my back yard. The mix of roses and outrageous fall colors create a riotous mix on the landscape. I love the sheer audacity of so much going on in the garden and on the horizon with the trees both in my yard and in my neighbor's yard.I took some photographs around the block from my house of the trees which I see at the top of the landscape behind my trees, but which I don't see full out from my house because they are on the other side of the neighbor's house from me. For that matter, my secret garden has a privacy hedge which keeps me from seeing very much of the houses behind me, which I like. I would rather see my neighbor's trees and houses when I'm walking but have the privacy in my back garden.
With the U.S. thanksgiving day right around the corner, I have to say that besides family and friends, I am most thankful for living somewhere with a lot of trees. I love trees and need lots of them in my life. I like trees during all the seasons. The bare winter trees with their interesting structures are very appealing to me. The spring trees with buds that are pregnant with life hold such promise. Summer shade trees and then the riot of color in the fall are very nourishing to me.In some ways my neighborhood is very boring with 3 or 4 standard style house plans all built in 1968. There's the split level plan, the one story ones, the one story with garage, a few two stories and some houses which have been added on to. In general the architecture is monotonous and not very interesting. Fortunately, the tree lined streets make up for a lot in my book. We have some fabulous trees and birds and walking paths that lead to a lake and along creeks. I'm thankful for that.