Yesterday Daisy and I traveled a bit and met up at the pub with folks we hadn't seen since our wedding. The place filled up quickly as through the large windows we witnessed the day turn into night. At this time of year, it feels like one minute the sun is out and the next we are enveloped in darkness. But, I could see in the eyes of our friends, as well as many people present, and the staff, that there definitely was a positive energy going on. Some joie de vivre. The indomitable human spirit, manifesting ,smiles and laughter lighting up the pub. Why? Possibly because, in the face of these strangest of times we can, and must, keep on living, laughing and loving.

I enjoyed a hearty dish of octopus. Ate it all like a good boy. Didn't write an nn stamped paper for this pic, people with us at the table do not know we are here. Or if they do, they're quite discreet about it. But that is my hairy old thumb. Daisy opted for a pulled beef poutine. Excellent as well. Couldn't get her to try the octopus though.

Went to the grocery store, came back home and spent a few hours making a huge batch of leek soup. Crème de poireaux, we call it. It's a grandmother's recipe, and always tastes so good and comforting when colder days begin to signal the beginning of autumn. The soup was still very hot when this pic was taken.

Now to let the crème cool, freeze some, give some, and enjoy the rest.

I don't think this pic would be published in our gallery. But It's just us, on this rainy Sunday morning, relaxing in some postcoital cuddles. Daisy is curled up and staying warm, my arm seamlessly wrapped around her tush and thigh.

A cloudless, relaxing day this summer. Not too hot, just right. Another pic taken by Daisy with her phone. During the ride, which was kind of romantic, she told me ''Do not. Rock. The tub".

Yes Ma'am. : )

Our little rainette, or tree frog, that was just chillin' on my car fender early one morning this month when Daisy and I went out to work. He's got his toe pads positioned in a peace sign and all. Daisy took this pic with her phone, and a week ago I'd posted it here in two versions: this supercropped one, and the regular one that showed more of the fender and part of the tire. But then I spotted that we could see a distorted reflection of me in the fender! I mean, I'm unprepossessing enough as it is, right. Daisy didn't marry me for my looks. Or did she. She can be mysterious. Could have been my sheer animal magnetism. I don't know. But by now you do know that I can tease a little, in the spirit of shaking up the doldrums a bit. Anyway, we did put Mr. Rainette in the grass before leaving. No animals were harmed while shooting this movie.

...she is an elderly person, maybe of 75 to 80 years. And she speaks like she is from France of days gone by. You would love her instantly. How could you not?

The other day, she gave use these, to Daisy and I. '' Vous savez comment on les appelle? '' She asked. '' Ce sont des roses Pink Floyd ! ''

We were completely taken aback. And as it were, we had never been in the presence of Pink Floyd roses. They are now our favourites. Because they are huge, because their subtle fragrance can make you weak in the knees, and especially, because they came from our dear French lady flower shop owner.

I took this photograph as a visual reminder, before the flowers would begin to wither. It's as if they want to just jump out at you.

Close your eyes, breathe in...

Came across one of these babies while mowing the lawn. Luckily, was able to pluck it from the grass before the blades got to it. Took a pic, set it free. Nature is full of surprises.

...while I was hand-picking Japanese beetles off of our vine leaves, I spotted this lovely cicada, immobile. Parted a leaf or two to get a better photo.



And then, it just jumped right on my shirt!


Aww, looks like the good boy wanted to be petted.


Then I set him on a flat surface to finish the shoot and he gave me his best pose.


He rested a bit and a few minutes later, was gone, perhaps high up in a tree.

During our honeymoon this year, Daisy and I spent a fair amount of time in the sun, on beaches by the sea. We wish we lived closer to these elements.