The short-to-medium-range weather, it seems, is so volatile it has become a little more difficult, it seems, for Environment Canada to predict. So when we thought after a previous heat wave, that we would be entering a climate of cooler days prevailing, we've been surprised by yet another succession of energy-draining, hot and humid days, more related in our minds to the dog days of summer than the approach to early fall.

Yet another warning has surfaced from Environment Canada of the possibility of extreme weather events today, with hot air colliding with cool air and bringing on more surprises. Yesterday's heat was briefly intersected with a sudden heavy rain event without the entertainment value of thunder and lightning. Evidently, however, it was a micro-burst, since a friend informed us that where he lives, a mile away from where we do, they caught just the edge of the downpour.

The heated days call for light salad-inspired meals, and keeping as cool as possible, meaning most people remain confined within air-conditioned interiors. We keep our air conditioning at a minimum. It's fine when we're relatively stationary, relaxing, not so great when we're busy doing physical things, but tolerable. Getting out for our daily hour's ramble in the forest exposes us to whatever breezes are available to cool the over-heated air, and yesterday was no exception. Full foliage coverage does its sun-shading work quite nicely.

Our daughter sent us a photograph of some of her dog pack being accompanied on one of their daily walks with one of her household cats. This is a cat which is seldom permitted outside the confines of the house for the protection of birds and small mammals, but which has expressed an interest in becoming one of the dog pack, so our daughter relented, and here's the result: