Irving's friend the mechanic who works from home with his own lift and other mechanical equipment like a diagnostic computer told him he didn't really need to change the brakes on the truck yet, but he wanted them changed so the process proceeded. And it didn't take him all that long, less than week to complete the job. He did a few other things as well and called to say he's finished and is driving the truck over and Irving will drive him back home, a short distance away.

One more thing done and out of the way. But then, there's always something. The joys of ownership, of having 'things' that require upkeep, not the least of which is home ownership. Something-or-other always needs attention. After breakfast we sat out while on the back deck, just enjoying the atmosphere of peace and serenity. The breeze that cooled us off so well throughout our ravine hike before breakfast was still on duty and doing a fine job of what nature assigned it to. I had just finished watering the garden pots in the backyard.

Now, it's afternoon and Irving had gone out to water the garden pots and urns at the front of the house, as well as the garden. No sooner had he stretched the hose sufficiently to begin at the front of the garden than the skies opened up and a sneak-surprise thunderstorm heaved down from the heavens. The warning signs were evident all day but nothing materialized until now. Nature has a daft sense of humour.

We had taken our time this morning throughout our tramp through the forest. It was almost two hours later that we returned home. Part of the time -- but certainly not a significant part -- was standing about talking to people we had come across; at times others came along and joined the conversation. One of those whom we've known for decades, a tall robust man now in his mid-60s told us a tale of woe. A week ago he had been up on a ladder, removing a string of lights from his lower roof over the garage and he reached too far to snip off a staple.

Suddenly the ladder slipped out from under and off he went. He hit his head badly, along with his entire side and felt pretty groggy. At the hospital emergency his son, a respiratory therapist, happened to be on duty; his younger son, a paramedic, had called his brother to alert of their father's impending arrival, and between them they made certain he didn't have to wait too long in emergency for a CT scan that indicated nothing broken and no concussion, just a swiftly spreading hematoma all over his face, and a badly bruised and hurting chest, shoulder, arm, leg.

There is no moral to the story. He's always careful -- usually careful -- but failed to be that time. He said he had his accident at 2:00 in the afternoon and there were already six others awaiting attention who had like him, fallen off a ladder. He's recovering nicely, but his face betrays the physical trauma he had suffered; it will take more time for that to heal. Something I'm quite familiar with. 

We went on once again to conclude our tramp through the ravine with a visit to the pollinator meadow. It is such a calming landscape there. There are butterflies and moths, hover flies and bees and wasps all busy visiting the flowering plants and performing what nature has fitted them for, one of the most vital tasks on the planet. Jackie and Jillie benefit hugely; they had a steady stream of treats throughout our trek, from blackberries to thimbleberries to apples. Irving and I each also enjoyed a pre-breakfast wild apple to munch on.

And then we were home, did a short turn around the garden, while Jackie and Jillie chased a little black squirrel from the porch, then mission accomplished turned to us for house entry and breakfast.