In a stretch of beautiful days today seems to be the cap; still beautiful, ample sun, but substantially cooler than it was yesterday, the wind bellowing through the landscape. Not a day to rake up leaves, so just as well that was done on the weekend. Irving was out again after breakfast wrapping up as it were the last of his exterior tasks pre-winter arrival. The air conditioner and the barbeque have been securely  bundled up, meant to help them survive the rigors of icy wind, piles of built-up snow and temperature snap-changes, so it was tarps all around, including over the largest of our garden urns sitting on top of the rock garden.

It's pretty depressing looking at the garden. I took a few photographs to see if there was anything that a picture could show that might redeem the stark, drab appearance of the beds and borders shed of their form, texture and colour and there was not. Just the last of the garden furniture has to be tucked into the big garden shed and then we can look forward to getting out the winter shovels.

Irving made appointments at a nearby garage to have both vehicles winter-proofed against rust. In this climate, with the kind of winters we get -- sustained cold and a build-up of heavy snow and ice on roads  -- if motor vehicles fail to get their undersides coated with oil, the salt thrown down on the roads to melt ice and restore traction to vehicles ultimately results in rusted-out car and truck bodies. That oil treatment is insurance against allowing vehicles to have a shortened lifespan.

Today was cleaning day and I was curious about whether I'd have to resort to wrapping a sponge over my right knee as I've had to do for the past month, since the time I had a fall in the ravine that tore quite deeply into the surface of my kneecap. But it was fine, no discomfort at all kneeling on the floor, so I was able to discard the sponge and have a lot more freedom and ease of movement, washing the floors.

Yesterday's dinnertime croissants that accompanied our lentil-vegetable soup gave us lefltovers that will be useful for a few breakfasts. The croissants lend themselves to being thinly sliced and toasted so they're crisp while still layered and flaky, and spread with smoked-salmon cream cheese they're quite excellent. That's the thing about meals, if there are leftovers you can always envision another purpose for them.

It's discomfiting becoming accustomed all over again to the time change. Although we adjusted most of the clocks, we left several at the old time. I feel it helps give me a better grasp on comparing our usual time to the new 'laid back' time. At least until we completely adjust to it. For the time being and perhaps for the first week or so we tend to continue our usual routine linked to the old time until we gradually slide into the new one. 

We had little option but to return to wearing jackets and to put little snug sweaters back on Jackie and Jillie. Yesterday's high temperature of 22C, with a gentle wind seemed incredibly warm despite it was mostly overcast. Today's bright sun failed to dispel the winter feeling brought to us via 12C -- cooled off even more by a truly belligerent wind, gusting loudly through the forest.

Once we tucked ourselves into the ravine, the windy cold that pushed us forward up at street level had moderated considerably and our jaunt through the forest trails became infinitely more pleasant as a result. Jackie and Jillie don't mind they're once again dressed against the cold. Watching the behaviour of other dogs in the ravine it's hard to determine whether they have a care in the world with respect to the weather conditions found in the forest day after day.Clearly, they feel nature should be allowed to weather her own nest how and when she pleases. We won't argue with them.