The gingkos had just turned gold about a day ago; the wind and the rain are quickly stripping them.  Usually, the big gingko off the northeast corner of the house drops its leaves straight down, all of a piece.  The fan shape of the leaf combined with its weight does not lend it good aerodynamic properties; more like a maple seed’s helicopter nature.  Once gingko leaves have turned color they do not stay on the tree for any length of time; in fact, following a hard freeze it can drop them in a matter of one or two hours, quite unlike oaks and beeches.   Today, the big one is acting as a beautiful wind direction indicator.  I must say it is a bit odd to see its leaves ending up west and south of the house.  Usually, if they go anywhere at all it is north and east.  But today they are being lifted up, over the house, and down on to the meadow.