How does word get around in the non-human animal kingdom? Obviously some form of communication that would inform of opportunities passes between wild creatures. And most particularly when it comes to food sources of a type that appeal generally. From birds to mammals of all kinds they find the source of food and follow the scent ... or the hints available in watching what others do, we can surmise.

Yesterday there appeared after nightfall on our porch two groups of raccoons; one group of five young and another of six. The group of six's kits are considerably smaller and younger than the group of five. When they were absent there was a lone, large mature raccoon that came by for a visit. And on another occasion a pair of what appeared to be juveniles, given their respectable size. They're a pair we often see together. These are just the appearance we happen to see. Presumably there are others.

So that's quite the congregation. They haven't very far to come from. The neighbouring houses across the street from ours back onto the ravine, the extensive forest that runs through part of this community that is itself part of the greater Ottawa municipality of a million people. This is a geographic location -- the Ottawa Valley -- that is surfeit with forests and lakes and historic towns and villages. Nature is never very far distant.

So we're now officially entering the Autumn Equinox. We've enjoyed a long series of exceptionally beautiful late summer days and nights. Departing summer has left a message for incoming fall; don't forget to bring in a lot of irrigating events, and today is giving us an example of just what the discussion is about. All day, heavy rain. Mind, it's also mild out at 19C, so though the rain pouring into the landscape is inconvenient for anyone wanting to take two little dogs out for an extensive tramp through the ravine's forest leaving us out of luck, it isn't a weather disaster. We always need rain.

But it isn't the kind of rain that one voluntarily ventures out into. Just ask Jackie and Jillie; completely averse at the best of times to getting wet, but when the air is saturated and the volume of rain is such that sightlines are interrupted, as far as they're concerned it's sheer madness to venture out into it.

I decided on a 'comfort meal' for tonight to dispel the dark gloom surrounding us. I cubed a piece of brisket to marinate it in vinegar, oil and mixed herbs. Then I prepared a broccoli/green onion/dried cranberry salad and refrigerated it. And cut up some new pears with scarcely any taste and made a cinnamon-compote with them. And finally chopped garlic and onion, and seared the beef cubes in olive oil, adding cumin seed, pepper, masala, tomato paste, a beef cube, flour and water, sliced carrot and potato, and set the stew to simmer until dinnertime. I kept the vegetables to a basic minimum because I plan on serving the stew over a bed of kasha. So that should stick to our ribs, I would think.

Compensation and comfort for a dreary, wet housebound day. Jackie and Jillie don't really mind being at home today, snoozing. Something didn't agree with them last night. We found little pools of vomit, two downstairs two upstairs and intuit that they both had upset stomachs. If it's not one thing, it's another... Despite which, they go after me time and again for a little shared romp.