It's called progress, modernization, living with the times, whatever seems suitable. It is, of course progress of a kind. But all changes it seems have their positive elements and their negative sides. Through mechanization of production and technological advances more people than ever before are able to take advantage of whatever society in its endless inventiveness produces. What was once unattainable but for the wealthy few becomes something of popular usage at a moderate price.

There was once something proudly called craftsmanship. When people learned traditional ways of manufacturing, or of producing objects of artistic beauty with care and distinction. Now everything is mass produced and there's a certain amount of built-in obsolescence in the production. Goods are no longer made to last; produced of inferior materials, design and workmanship. In the interests of keeping costs low/affordable, and products in working order for a certain length of time before they need replacing.

Imagine a piece of furniture, circa 1840 to 1860, locally manufactured by someone who learned the craft of furniture-making as an apprentice. A chest of drawers, as an example, produced in a style then popular; Empire, let us say, though it's a 'rough' country piece. Made of solid cherry. Or a six-board chest made of pine and painted, another country piece whose purpose was to store bedding in a log house without the conveniences we take for granted today; an indoor bathroom, electricity, running water.

They served their purpose well at the time they were produced. And later generations replaced them with more modern pieces that were factory-made and veneered. Attractive in design reflecting the more modern aesthetic but without the 'lasting' attributes of the originals. Much later generations were fascinated with the hand-produced objects known as 'antiques' and a market opened for their acquisition as nostalgic show pieces. But despite their age -- or because of it -- useful and usable to the present day.

But this is the here and the now. Here and just recently, say a few hours ago, this family courted pleasure in nature by taking our two little dogs out for their daily saunter through forest trails on a cool mid-summer afternoon. Yesterday something akin to a micro tornado swept down and through an area just west of where we're located, sparing us for which we're grateful. One tore through the forest about twenty years ago and ripped up a number of beautiful, large old pines unfortunate enough to be in its path. Their large carcasses remain where they fell, slowly decaying, other trees growing up around them.

There was partial sun while we were out, and it was extremely pleasantly cool, with a lovely breeze keeping us well ventilated. On several occasions we came across other dogs companioning people doing just what we were doing. Well, almost; no one else seems to glance at what is present on either side of the trails. On such occasions Irving usually asks the other dogs if they're interested in sharing treats with Jackie and Jillie. He refrains from consulting with J&J first in the certain knowledge they would object. One bull mastiff, a young, very well mannered dog on seeing Irving tends to park himself beside the bearer of goodies, placing his wet nose on the bag containing the irresistible.

Before we left the ravine we meandered down to the open area we call the 'meadow' though it's not quite that, which hosts a plethora of wildflowers. And lots and lots of raspberry canes and thimbleberry shrubs, all coming to the ripe, sweet and juicy stage. A bit of excitement for our little companions who adore berries and will eat as much as they're given, though wild apples take second place in their estimation.

Oh, and once again on our return back home from our ravine jaunt through the forest it took little time before dark clouds moved in to take the place of the blue sky we had been under with its white fluffy clouds decorating the sea of blue, to bring us another violent thunder storm. The house turned dark, on came the lights, and thunder rolled, lightning ever-so-briefly lit up the sky in a jagged dagger of brilliance and down came the rain, onto a landscape barely able to dry itself from the last downpour.