Yesterday it was too cold, too wet, too dark, too miserable to plant the two pots of herbs we had bought that morning. The plan was to place them in the garden in the handiest spot where they would nab lots of sun, and where it would be most convenient to gather them; the sweet basil for salads and pizza, the parsley also for salads and to sprinkle over Friday-night chicken soup. The basil's fragrance is deliciously pungent and was perfect when I tore up the leaves onto the pizza crust spread with tomato paste before adding the cheese and vegetables last night for dinner.

 

 

Today dawned bright, light and sunny. The wild wind and voluminous rain of yesterday and the cold temperature in stark contrast to the warmth of today. The odd thing was that despite all that rain some of the garden beds, particularly toward the very front of the house, seemed bone-dry, badly in need of watering. We told ourselves that could wait, we'd get out into the ravine earlier than usual in the afternoon and look after the garden on our return.

 

 

Jackie and Jillie were in complete agreement, so off we went. Earlier, while Irving was putting out our old wrought-iron ornamental garden table and chairs, a new neighbour walked by with her five-month-old poodle mix. We had seen her and her husband in the ravine a few times. They had just recently moved to the street we live on, a friendly, welcome addition. She and Irving spoke awhile of the pleasures of gardening.  

 

It's the younger people now moving to the street who seem to recognize the lifestyle value of the forest adjacent their homes. Relatively few of the older residents who have lived on the street for decades have ever been interested in setting a foot onto the forest trails. Still, the home ownership on this very quiet street is mostly among retired people at this stage. Not yet ready to move on elsewhere, content to remain in the house where for the most part, they raised their children.

 

Despite yesterday's non-stop rain, the trails weren't steeped in mud, and because of yesterday's rain, green vegetation was given an added growth spur. The sun, so brilliant your eyes automatically avoid glancing in its near regions, made the foliage of the forest trees appear semi-transparent, glowing like jade of a particularly emerald hue, dazzling to look at and incomparably beautiful. 

 

 

Over the second bridge a few people with professional-looking cameras had gathered. Obviously looking to see if they could grab some good photos of the owls. But the owls weren't in the mood to cooperate today. They found somewhere else more attuned to their mood where they could roost and rest without neck-craning humans ooing and awwing them.

 

In the forest interior pools of rainwater persisted, and thanks to their presence mosquito larvae were having the time of their lives. Those in their adult stage were also enjoying themselves. This wave of summer mosquitoes is smaller, dense black and lack the clumsiness of the larger ones that preceded them. The little black monsters strike quickly, discreetly and sharply, and are gone by the time their victims realize they've been hit. The incentive to keep moving is certainly there.

 

 

On our return back home again it was time to do some trimming and cleaning up in the garden. Plants that have flowered were cut back, the drooping leaf-laden branches of the weeping trees, Mulberry,flowering pea and ornamental Jade awaited attention. Some pilotweed had gained a presence in a remote part of the garden facing our neighbour and they were made speedy work of.

 

 

The windblown, rain-blasted detritus that came off the gardens onto the walkways were due for a sweep-up. Before we knew it, we had filled a large compost bag with garden waste to be taken by the 'sanitary engineers' next collection day to the municipal compost heap. New roses are emerging, adding form and colour to the garden. And the hostas too are blooming, their floral wands hosting bell-like flowers. In communion with the Canterbury bells also now in flower.

 

By the time we were ready to call the gardening over for the time being, we were hot from exertion. And then I remembered to get myself to the garden in the backyard to plant the two pots of herbs still patiently awaiting attention.