Soon as we returned home from our afternoon hike through the woods yesterday  we were favoured by the sturm und drung of a thunderstorm. And we love those storms with their window-blasting heavy rainfalls. Fine, as long as we're securely indoors. Even Jackie and Jillie don't mind them, they just add a lazy bark at the first of the thunder grumbles, then curl up and go back to sleep. Last night we couldn't figure out why Jillie was so restless, leaping off the bed repeatedly, until we finally saw a fly. It had got into the house as they tend to do on these steamy hot days, given half a chance, and she hates flies.

 

 

We were hoping for more rain today so everything in the garden would be nicely watered, but the sky remains pacific blue and the sun has been dominant all day. We had gone out early in the morning for our daily ramble in the ravine, so it doesn't matter all that much how hot it is, with an air conditioned house supplemented by floor fans in critical areas. 

 

 

At the time of morning we were out it was extremely pleasant walking through the trails. Even climbing the hills and descending them failed to build up internal heat, given the comfortable temperature we were exposed to. The wind, much reduced from yesterday, was very welcome. The slant of the early morning sun through the tree canopy made for some quite sun-exposed areas, but we moved right along.

 

 

Except for those times that Irving stopped to pick the scant few raspberries that are left, for Jackie and Jillie, and the stops made to accommodate neighbourhood dogs out for their ramble through the forest who break away from their human companions to race over to Irving, knowing him as the dispensers of cookies. We can't leave the house heading for the ravine without first checking the contents of his cookie bag.

 

 

We encountered an old acquaintance we haven't seen in a year, with his now-three-year-old white German Shepherd. And that was an interesting encounter. Dogs, like elephants don't forget people they've known since they were puppies. And running into people you know and haven't seen in a while makes you privy to some interesting things known to these people who are only too willing to share.

 

 

We're still feeling shocked whenever we come across areas in the forest where large old trees lay shattered, some flat on the forest floor, others remaining in a partial-fall position, held up by adjoining trees that were fortunately not impacted by the violent series of tornado-strength gusts that ravaged the forest a month ago. The suspended trees will eventually fall, and all the forest casualties will eventually rot to form a part of the cumulative compost that takes generations to enrich the soil and growing conditions for vegetation that takes their place.

 

 

When we left the ravine Irving stopped by the group mailbox for our mail, and we sat awhile in the garden, me and the puppies more interested in wandering about, while Irving went through the mail. After breakfast we both had things to do; his involving a few projects in his workshop. My workshop is the kitchen, and I baked a half-dozen large coconut-lime cupcakes. I grated the zest and Irving squeezed the juice; a cooperative effort.