The headlines on the front page above the fold in both daily newspapers we subscribe to, shout out in bold lettering THE GREAT UNKNOWN. Attention-getting at the very least. Dismaying to be sure. Since it refers to the uncertainty and bafflement of the medical-scientific community in attempting to suss out what it is about this SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the disease of COVID-19 that is so different from other, previous respiratory viruses, and how and why it is that its symptoms can affect bodily function to such a deadly degree, along with its apparent ease of transmissibility.

Great mood-altering read first thing in the morning. Just as well that my mood was already set and it wasn't to the effect of more grim news about the novel coronavirus. Instead, our ramble through the woodland trails earlier in the morning, with its positive vibes and the embracing landscape of a late-summer forest lent its atmosphere to our mood; forward-looking and utterly and entirely appreciative of what life and nature offers us.

 A cooler, windier, albeit sunnier day than we've yet had greeted us this morning. But the newspaper held other news, that we're in for a week of steadily warmer and sunny weather, so today's cool and brisk atmosphere is as yet an anomaly. And despite the cold and the wind the sun was doing its best to moderate things and its effect cannot be overlooked, brightening the day's prospects.

Saturdays, of late, appear to have reversed position with Sundays. Which is to say, there was a time when we'd see far more people out on the trails on Sundays. Mostly, we assumed, because people were out busy with their shopping on Saturdays. Today, like last Saturday, an inordinate number of people and dogs were out tramping through the forest. And as always, Jackie and Jillie's reactive behaviour leaves much to be desired. Just as well most other dogs are patient with them, putting up with their excited barking.

Some dogs, mostly larger ones, have the great good sense to slip into the inner reaches of the forest off-trail to avoid direct contact with our two little annoyances. But we did from time to time come abreast with others, and the chorus of two reduced their volume appreciably with interaction. And then, the meetings subsided until there were no more as we ventured further into the trail system and the two little stewards of the forest concentrated on sniffing about -- keeping up with the neighbourhood canine news.

We twice passed Dennis, and each of us conveyed morning good wishes to one another. Shortly after he passed us we were enveloped in the odour of marijuana surmounting the fresh air of the forest. Although we've never asked him anything about it, we see him in the distance taking puffs as he approaches from the puffer he usually holds in his hand. We speculate that he's treating arthritis or some other condition in his mid-life, a stolid, friendly man who does a great service to the forest-hiking community by quietly putting out waste receptacles weekly for the collection of dog feces. He replaces the bags faithfully, placing the full ones out for waste collection throughout the community at the various ravine entrance points.

I've been looking for signs of bright red berries lately on the minuscule, low-to-the-ground partridgeberry colonies growing on the forest floor, and it was only this morning that I finally realized they're there. It was my husband who pointed them out, and on closer inspection I could see they were present. A sign my eyesight isn't improving as I age.

Back home again, as we dawdled briefly in the garden we noticed that the panicle hydrangea planted close to the brick wall of the garage was reaching its tallest branches to the roof of the garage. The shrub grows more ambitious every year that passes.

Last night because we're still in summer-light-meal mode, we had chicken Caesar salad. I par-steam cauliflower for this salad, we both think it's a perfect inclusion. And roast chicken breast to cut into squares to use with the salad as well. Earlier I make the croutons, using Challah sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and garlic powder, toasted together until the bread is crisp and fragrant then broken into squares. I tear lettuce into two large individual bowls, then layer it with snap beans, red bell pepper, sliced green onion, cocktail tomatoes, the cauliflower and the chicken squares. Toss it all together, top it with the croutons and we're ready to go.