Yesterday turned out one of those reasonably moderate weather days that just called out for people to respond. And respond they did. When we went out into the ravine yesterday afternoon -- early afternoon as it happened -- we hardly anticipated the number of people we would encounter doing the very same thing, enjoying dawdling along the forest trails with their dogs.

In that sense it was a banner day for our own little dogs who came across others they know and no doubt recognize as a result of their daily olfactory encounters as dogs are wont to do compulsively, since it's hard-wired into their DNA. So they romped about a bit with their acquaintances and we did the same with their human companions, albeit verbally, everyone in perfect accord that yes, this was the perfect blend of temperature, sun and wind.

One of our encounters was particularly pleasing, as we came across a women whom we'd first known years ago before she and her husband had any children. Accompanying her now were her two younger of their three children, all now in their 20s. And both representing an outstanding compliment to their parents' genetic endowment and parenting skills. With them, a malamute, seven years old now, after they lost their original one whom they had named 'Crook' for its crooked tail, and which was the most 'talkative' and emotional dog we'd ever come across. 

And what a pity it is that we cannot depend on summers to bring us this type of atmosphere regularly instead of peaks of prolonged high humidity and heat. If most people think this is difficult, however, they should try negotiating life in places like Tokyo during the summer. There, going out in the heat of the day, sun beating down, it's like entering a hot steambath and your skin is immediately plastered with a lacquer of perspiration. Night time brings little relief. Little wonder there are dispensing machines all over the place, on virtually every street corner, selling  hot or cold liquids. Places like Atlanta, Georgia are no different, albeit absent the height of humidity that afflicts Tokyo.

As we meandered along we noted that the ubiquitous dogwood bushes are now sporting berries where a month earlier they had been flaunting flowers. As well, the various types of thistle, having grown much larger than usual this summer, thriving in this weather are also preparing to flaunt their interesting floral displays that will be transformed in the fall into nasty torpedoes.

In one particular area up on the ravine flats enclosed by a more modest coverage of trees, an area that takes forever in the spring to dry out and thus remains wet for an obligingly long time for vegetation that thrives in those conditions, the sun penetrates more since the plague of Emerald Ash Borer wreaked its killing path through the forest. There, the growth and spread of moisture-loving jewelweed has triumphed. Yet, because of the hot glare of the sun that wildflower, sensitive to the broiling heat baking it responds by shrivelling into pathetic little bundles of misery, pleading for shade to return.