On these summery days we have a tendency to linger in the backyard with Jackie and Jillie, eyeing the gardens before snapping back to reality to set the table for breakfast. Spontaneity is possible when there's no need to arm ourselves against the weather. Just slide open the breakfast room doors and head out, with Jackie and Jillie in the lead. 

 

Last night when we went up to bed around midnight the outside temperature read 27C. This morning when we came downstairs the reading was exactly the same.

 

The heat has propelled the garden inhabitants into what seems like an early bloom. Bearded irises are now in bloom, and so are the cranesbill geraniums. Columbine and mountain bluet are also in bloom, so the garden has begun asserting itself. We can see that the roses are setting their buds for showing off in early to mid-June getting summer off to a good start.

Actually in just a few days' time our wedding anniversary arrives. Marking our 68 anniversary. Usually at this time, we're off somewhere, usually staying at the Waterville Valley in New Hampshire, tooling around the countryside, looking for hikes we can still manage, bypassing the mountain climbs we used to do, and poking about in antique shops. We had a habit of going off twice, once in early June, the second time in October. 

 

Thinking what I could bake for a treat led me to consider the fresh fruit bursting out offering themselves in the refrigerator. Yesterday we had fresh California peaches sliced in dessert bowls; not nearly as good as the Georgia peaches, much less our own Niagara, Ontario peaches when they come into perfect ripeness. We also had strawberries, so the thought occurred that a strawberry pie would be a little different, and so that's what we're having for tonight's dessert. I used the counter-top convection oven so the heat was kept to a minimum.

 

We weren't certain whether to head out with Jackie and Jillie to the ravine for their usual afternoon hike, given the ongoing heat wave. The high for today to be 34C, like yesterday. But off we went anyway. Yesterday at the same time a low ceiling of light clouds had moved in when we set off, but not today. Still, though it was 32C when we left, there were some light breezes that helped ameliorate the heat. The forest is dry, but not as dry as we occasionally see it in the summer months.

 

Surprisingly, we realized that clouds had moved in after all, and then came the ominous/exciting roll of thunder leading us to expect some cooling off. Twice again thunder rumbled, sounding closer each time. The last roll occurred just as we ambled up the driveway. Good, we thought, we could use a drenching. So, did it rain? No. But relief is on the way, this is supposed to be the last day of the heat wave. At least until the next one moves in on the summer horizon.