Everything, from cheese to cereal is now being packaged in smaller quantities, even though most prices continue to escalate. And some commodities just seem to disappear, some never to return to the shelves in the supermarket. I could buy any kind of oatmeal I wanted; instant, or 1-minute, but not the rolled oats that cook in 15 minutes that I prefer. Crisco vegetable shortening, my baking mainstay for pastry crusts is no longer on the shelves; in its place, lard, which I cannot use. The brand of coconut oil that we've used for years no longer competes with the several brands remaining on the shelves. The store brand of soups that I buy for the Food Bank has dwindled, now it's Campbell's-or-forget-it.

Speaking of the Food Bank, where once there were paltry offerings by shoppers, that has all changed. Now there are bags and bags of assorted dried, canned and packaged foods left out in that large container in the store foyer that overflows with generosity. So much so that shopping carts are parked alongside the container and they're overflowing with donations. I'm spending upwards of $25 and more weekly; today four tins of soup, four of tuna, four of flaked chicken, a pack of four macaroni and cheese boxes. Increasing numbers of people are turning to food banks to supplement what they can afford for their families.

We keep telling ourselves how fortunate we are that we're able to buy whatever groceries that we need, that appeal to us, that we enjoy, that are a requirement to provide nutrition adequate to health. Jackie and Jillie were overjoyed to welcome us back home. Jackie sniffing about for cauliflower and any other fresh vegetables. It's great when they have good appetites, especially when they missed their walk yesterday given the unending rain.

 I baked plain rolled sugar cookies for Irving that he prefers over all others after breakfast, then made speedy work cleaning up and we launched ourselves into a ravine hike. On a very cold and windy day. We saw some early morning sun but by the time we went off on our walk dark-streaked clouds had moved in to smother the blue. A 30% chance of rain, as well, but none fell while we were out. 

Yesterday's high wind and rain brought down copious amounts of colourful foliage, just as we expected it would. Making for greater numbers of defiolated trees in the forest canopy. Leaves that had fallen days ago and retained their bright yellows and peach shades are already turning that dark charcoal grey that poplars attain, their charm entirely gone and just grim in appearance. But those that flew off the trees yesterday are still glowing with colour.

There were very few people out for the time we were out with Jackie and Jillie this afternoon. The forest was deserted of human traffic. But suddenly out of nowhere appeared one of our puppies' friends, to station himself patiently before Irving and wait for his due, as a good boy. Which of course pleases Jackie and Jillie enormously, since what's due others is meant for them as well, just in smaller, more size-appropriate portions.

And then we came across an old friend whom we haven't seen in months. We'd seen his wife, but back in June, telling us he was recovering from another operation, this time for his back. He's decades younger than us, a natural athlete involved in sport competition and marathons. Years ago he was diagnosed with an inherited condition of water on the brain. A stunt was installed from his cranium to his stomach to drain the liquid. That was eight years ago. The  mechanism to adjust its function is failing, and he's suffering those same old symptoms of nausea and dizziness.

When we first saw him approaching we could see only two of his trio of border collies. He informed us that Carter, the largest of the three birthmates, had suddenly died yesterday. He was fine, full of energy first thing in the morning, but hours later he suddenly collapsed and died. It was neurological, a fatal episode. Something that had never happened before with the dog, something that caught up with him at age 14-1/2.

Just as we suspected, their absence from the ravine with their dogs was the result of having bought a cottage and spending the summer there. We knew they'd been looking for a cottage, and they found one that suited them on Rideau Lake, just over an hour's drive from their house. Carter, Barrie told us, had the time of his life there this summer, as did his siblings. 

When we arrived back home, there were the fencing people, back at work to complete our fence. They're such nice young men. Their professionalism is impressive. There's a bit of a sour note in the fact that we've lost about a perimeter foot all around to our backyard. For one thing the posts had to be installed where space permitted; the live cedars planted on the property line that now form a thick and tall hedge behind us, forced the fence forward. But the fence, when finished, will give us years of good service, privacy and ensure that the puppies when they're outside, are secure. No coyote could leap that 7-ft.height.