So, it was under the most pellucid of blue skies that we ventured out with little Jackie and Jillie yesterday afternoon into the ravine for them to gambol and us to follow along the forest trails. It felt uncharacteristically cool, thanks not only to the prevailing temperature, but a good stiff breeze that penetrated the forest. But it was a decided relief from the previous suffocating heat.
We noted that the thimbleberry bushes were in stiff competition with the blackberry canes in thrusting their blossoms into view, now. The thimbleberry blossoms the most glorious of pinks and the others bursts of pure white. Both will be transformed in short enough order into mouth-watering berries at the height of summer.
The forest interior as we entered seemed crepuscular as it invariably does, despite the brightness of the day. The dark of twilight interspersed with bright rays of sun making their way through the forest canopy, the contrast eye-dazzlingly pleasing.
The creek at the bottom of the ravine is no longer running full, and we're still trying to see if water striders have returned; no sign of them yet, after all the activity of last spring, summer and fall with heavy construction machinery and workers busy ameliorating the landscape to support the ravine hillside adjacent our street which last year's heavy spring rains had caused to slump and side.
We came across an old acquaintance with her little Shih Tsu Angus, ambling about as he usually does, oblivious to any one else's presence, and prone to wandering off at a great distance before realizing his companion, calling for him and unheard, is 'lost'. Whenever we stop to talk as we usually do, Angus keeps on going ... and going ... and going.
While Jackie and Jillie without any encouragement on our part remain close by, vigilant to any moves by us to resume our forest circuit. They're exceedingly good on that file, thank heavens.
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