I was dismayed when we returned home last week to see that the dipladenia vine we have hanging from the deck in the backyard had languished in our week's absence. It had delighted us immensely, blooming non-stop all summer long, and on our return it looked pathetic, the blooms had fallen off, the foliage looked shrunken in on itself. Clearly it missed being cosseted and since no rain had fallen in our absence it declined alarmingly.

Now it's back to its normal, healthy appearance, and once again blooming. I don't think the chipmunks, rabbits and squirrels mourned our absence. There were no little dogs present for a week to chase after them in the backyard. Now, when we let Jackie and Jillie out to the backyard they go storming out to the deck, down the stairs and head directly toward the places where they think the other little critturs are most likely to be found. Usually around one of the garden sheds, where they quickly duck for cover. I don't think the pups would ever do them any harm, but I'm glad they're swifter in escape than Jackie and Jillie are, in pursuit.

It  had rained heavily at some point during the night and was still raining when we came down for breakfast. So we're receiving some much-needed rain, after all. The rain finally stopped mid-morning and by the time we decided to get out for our afternoon tramp through the woods, it was already early afternoon. the sun hadn't yet penetrated the dense cloud cover, and in fact there were both billowing white clouds and streaked dark clouds overhead when we set off. So we imagined the chance of another rain event could be imminent.

As it happens, none fell while we were out. A cool, breezy day, all the more so in the shade of the forest canopy.  But forging briskly ahead tends to warm us and we enjoyed another pleasant circuit, just as we do all our forays out in the ravine. There's a definite feeling of fall, a smell of fall, an impression of fall, even though there is not yet any overall colour signal that fall has arrived. 

The creek was full and running imperiously downstream, splashing over rock impediments and the buildup of fallen branches here and there along its trajectory, in contrast to the dry conditions that left the water level low and sullen all week to the present. 

On our return home, we left the puppies sulking in the full knowledge they were being abandoned while we went off to do the grocery shopping. We've noticed over time that more and more shelf space is being devoted to imported vegetables, and fruit as well, that are completely unknown to us. Yucca leaves, breadfruit, and all manner of food that must be common fare for people from south-east Asia and Africa but completely new to us.

It's not only fresh agricultural food that has continued to make a larger appearance on grocery shelves but also pre-prepared 'convenience' foods of all types. And who knew that there were so many types of rice? I did try red and black rice once, but neither pleased our palates, so that put an end to that particular food experimentation.

The odd thing is that we don't see all that many people of varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds when we're shopping. Obviously there are enough and more than enough present to induce food conglomerates to see the practicality of stocking foodstuffs geared to a culinary tradition we're totally unfamiliar with. And it does speak to the reality that Canada as a country of immigrant stock from all over the world is a hugely variegated community.