It was inevitable. There have been so many rising cases of COVID in the province, and most of them linked to Toronto, Peel region and Ottawa, that the government of Ontario had little choice but to turn back the last relaxation of the coronavirus safety regulations. All bars, theatres, gyms, and restaurants may no longer invite people to enter. Restaurants may still offer take-out and delivery services, but not indoor service for at least the next 28 days. As though these small business enterprises were not in difficult enough straits, now their agony starts all over again.

But there was no choice. Medical officers of health are warning the public that the relaxation of lockdown rules were taken too lightly by too many people, that gatherings at backyard barbecue, family get-togethers, and various types of social events had given the SARS-CoV-2 virus the opportunity it was awaiting and it took the most of those opportunities, spreading through the community.

Thanksgiving dinners with big family celebrations are being discouraged, and people are dreadfully disappointed; we're just about back to square one when the initial lockdown was imposed to try to diminish a growing number of COVID cases. People, particularly the ultra-religious and the young socially-inclined demographics are rebelling, refusing to take the precautions to shield themselves and others from the ravenous virus. Many among them, despite rising hospitalization rates and deaths, believe the virus threat has been overplayed. Or that it doesn't threaten them personally.

We have so much to be thankful for. Not being among the many who have been stricken and made ill. Being able to appreciate everything about life without having to cope with the effects of a malign illness. Knowing that our family members, though we cannot see them in person, are taking care to protect themselves and are well. Having the opportunity to celebrate the season as best we can. And for us personally, getting out into nature and appreciating that we can do so in such a relaxed manner with close proximity to a forest inviting our daily exposure to the beauty of unspoiled landscapes.

There was a hard frost last night. And a scrutiny of the garden revealed that some of the more delicate flowering plants had perished, while others, more robust, are holding their own. We decided to make off for the ravine and our daily walk before breakfast because by the time we awoke, strong winds had brought in another front of mild conditions and sun. So, off we went, taking with us cut-up bits of apple as treats for Jackie and Jillie to tide them over until breakfast.

So many other people were inspired to do the very same thing, as we soon learned, coming across others out with children and/or their dogs. One little dog, smaller than our two, was intrigued by seeing Jackie and Jillie offered small bits of apple, and claimed some for himself. Ours are accustomed to eating fresh fruits and vegetables, could be this little fellow will now follow suit; we've found over the years that other dogs are mostly disinterested in fresh fruit when we offer it to them, but not this little puppy.

More foliage down, thanks primarily to the wind. And because there are some trees beginning to look a little bare, we can see the bittersweet vines winding around the branches, their red and orange berries dangling against the backdrop of the forest.

After our return, and breakfast, and following clean-up, out I went to the gardens to begin the long process of taking apart the garden. Digging up the annual plants from the garden pots, and setting aside the corms of some of the begonias to overwinter in the basement for spring re-planting. Cutting back some of the hostas that had turned yellow, and the hydrangeas that were faltering and the Japanese quince that was growing wildly. Sweeping up the detritus on the walkways. And carefully cutting away the foliage of the tree peonies taking care not to include the new-set buds that will bloom next spring.