Yesterday's high winds have abated somewhat; today they're only gusting to 50 kmh. The wind velocity yesterday did one positive thing; it kept the mosquito population at bay, so that our daily ramble in the ravine was a little more pleasant than it's been the past several weeks. Mosquito larvae have had ample opportunity to develop in the many pools of rainwater scattered throughout the ravine, as a result of ongoing rain events that have made the past two months the rainiest on record.

The wind was ferociously driving through the woods, swaying tree tops, clacking them together, sounding at times like a steam locomotive intent on driving its way through our urban forest. Large pieces of bark kept falling off the trunks of long-dead trees, and branches and leaves kept tumbling down as we hiked along. It was a very hot and humid day, the wind relieving the heat and the humidity. Underfoot the ground is sodden, and packed with wet clay-muck; not at all pleasant. The dogwood shrubs are king now, they are boasting their white panicles of bloom everywhere in the ravine, alongside the pink and the white of wild honeysuckle.

When we arrived back home and ventured into the back garden we were astonished to see the extent of the destruction in our garden. I had to begin staking up geraniums, irises, and bellflowers. Hostas and small shrubs were blown lopsided. These were irritating but amendable; not so the plight of one of our apple trees completely shattered by the wind, broken off near the bottom of the trunk, and prostrate in mortal distress.