Evidently the 7th COVID-19 wave is now peaking in Ontario. It will take a while before the decline in cases is felt in area hospitals, all too many of which were forced by circumstances to close their emergency rooms and impose a limit on new admissions. The virus is circulating freely and quite a number of people have been infected. Summer in previous iterations represented a break from the viral spread, but not this year.

 

When we're out doing the shopping we see young people wearing masks and elderly people dispensing with them. Curious, since in the initial waves the toll taken on the elderly was wildly out of proportion to that suffered by the young. Generalizations aren't all that useful, however, since people are idiosyncratically inclined regardless of age.

 

We just think it's somewhat peculiarly nonsensical when on the rare occasion we see a preteen bicycler wearing a mask. Likely because he/she was enjoined by a concerned parent to wear a mask at all times. It simply defies logic, however, to wear a mask when in an outdoors landscape where the chances of coming in close contact with other people is just about nil.

 

Our heat wave, we believe, is now culminating with the hottest day yet. The forecast for tomorrow is in the low 20Cs, as unbelievable as that seems, given that today we've had 33C weather; a searingly-hot, close and humid atmosphere -- thick and exhausting. So needless to say we chose not to leave our daily tramp through the ravine for afternoon, and set off instead at 8:00 am.

 

Even at that hour the heat was building from its then-27C, to 33C a few hours later. There was immediate relief in the bosom of the forest and that was very much appreciated; the deep shade of the forest canopy is very efficient, all the more so that the cooler night-time temperature that prevailed the night before still lingered in the ravine depths. It dissipates more readily at the upper ridge of the ravine.

 

As we enter the forest, at its perimeter, the hordes of compass plant flower have all gone to seed looking very similar to dandelion fluff. But the Himalayan orchids are still blooming cheerfully, their bright pink petals beautiful against the dark green of the shrubbery growing among them, as well as the backdrop trees. And though the bright yellow flower heads of the compass plant flowers are no longer in evidence, there are buoyant little yellow bursts of flight among the wildflowers as goldfinches wind their way in and out of the small meadow.

 

Few hikes seem to be our lot without the opportunity of one or several dogs realizing they're in the near presence of the cookie man and this morning was no exception. Two dogs familiar with Irving's penchant to dole out dog cookies briskly approached, to sit placidly beside him, anticipating a reward for their loyalty and social politeness.

 

And then, just as we were in the process of winding up this morning's circuit, striding along the near bank of the forest creek, we saw a lone chicory plant in bloom, the first we've seen this season. Its bright blue flowers distinctive, and recalling our childhood when they were ubiquitous in abandoned fields.

 

Then home again for a brief spin in the garden where we loosen the laces on our  hiking boots and Jackie and Jillie are excited about returning to the house. Breakfast this morning is melon and bananas followed by French toast and sausages, our two little dogs' absolute favourite breakfast treat. And some relief from the stifling heat did eventuate later in the day when a series of thunderstorms swept through the area.