Now that dusk enters the landscape at four in the afternoon and an hour later it is fully night-dark, we see good reason to light up the fireplace at 5:00 p.m. Introducing light and warmth and the feeling of serene comfort to the room we spend most of our leisure time in, in our home. We keep the glass doors of the fireplace wide open, and place a grill in front of the fire to ensure that no curiosity level brings a puppy too close for safety to the fire. Little Riley in his puppy dotage hated the cold. As soon as September rolled around he had to wear a little sweater, even in the house. And we always placed a flat cushion before the fireplace hearth where he would settle himself down, enjoying the warmth. So far neither Jackie nor Jillie seem interested. They're more invested in settling themselves around Irving on the love seat facing the fire, when he's in relax-and-read mode.

Another comfort that appeals so hugely at this time of year is the kind of food we look forward to. I haven't prepared spaghetti and tomato sauce since last winter, considering it a winter-season cuisine. So yesterday we had, for a change, and to suit the weather -- a cold, damp, dark day -- spaghetti and meatballs and asparagus spears on the side. Jackie and Jillie enjoyed a half meatball each and they gave their thorough approval of the choice.

Now, after days on end of morose, overcast skies and dark days, many of which gave us continuous rain, conditions that reflect into the house interior, we enjoyed a full-sun day. The sky had cleared of its angry streaked clouds leaving today's sky a heavenly blue. The sun beaming through the windows warmed the house and brightened the interior. Until the sun set at four and then darkness crept back in.

By that time we were in the ravine and hiking through trails steeped deep in muck.Worse even than yesterday with its puddles of rainwater. The rain unable to penetrate the forest soil, drenched through with more moisture than it could accommodate. It's where our boot cleats come in handy allowing us traction climbing and descending the hillsides.

Jackie and Jillie kept their little feet dry avoiding the areas on the forest floor where the mud was deepest, their little rubber boots rising to the occasion. Once they're snapped off after our arrival back home the boots have to be washed to remove the plastered-on muck after having done their job of keeping paws clean and dry. That's Irving's job. Mine is preparing their little vegetable salad treats.

By no means were we the only ones out on the forest trails this afternoon. Others, well known to us over the years as regular hikers in this community forest were out in strength with their dogs, grateful for the opportunity, for the relative mildness of the day at 2C,  and the opportunity to stretch their legs and exercise their pups. Most of which know Irving rather intimately as the area 'Cookie-Man'. By the time we had completed our circuit there wasn't a cookie left in his pouch.