Hellacious storm last night. Got up at 3:30 to watch the hail pummel my sister’s garden. I’ve never seen that much rain, at least not in recent memory. Some areas of the city got 100mm, and I’m pretty sure that area was southeast Edmonton. Even my poor pepper plant looks like it was deadheaded within an inch of its life. And, I’m sad to report, I lost a baby pepper.

Ah well, I have to admit I love intense weather, even if I have to sacrifice a beloved vegetable to get it. Beth and I took the dog for a walk this morning, and the power line field was completely saturated. Maggie had a great time in the mini-lakes. My feet were soaked within two minutes. Most spectacularly, the bank on the south end of Whitemud Creek has caved in near the water intake thing. Two giant holes, and then it’s just gone, sheared way by the volume of water. As  a result, the creek was running very fast. Too fast. Had to keep the dog on the leash. Took a few photos, but the eroded bank was in dark contrast to the bright sun. I’ll try later. This afternoon, it is incredibly humid. And hot. Like every other day this week.

2:34PM/26C

Holy humidity. Maggie and I left this morning at 8:45, to beat the heat. Nevertheless…it was humid, and warm. It also rained on us, but it was refreshing rather than wetting, especially as I was already wet. Supposed to be stinkin’ hot this week, so all my walks will be before noon. Everything will be before noon. Good thing I’m off this week…and next.

An unremarkable walk, other than an unfriendly poodle with giant balls. Must be a show dog. If not, there’s just no excuse for that.

10:39AM/25C (will be 32C)

Absolutely gorgeous day. Spent the morning at work (not so gorgeous), followed by a walk down Saskatchewan Drive into Mill Creek Ravine. Almost too hot, but a nice breeze kept me from swooning (but not sweating.) The trees north of 98th Ave have been devastated by the LEAF ROLLER CATERPILLARS. An entire canopy of leaves sucked dry of colour and life. It’s so weird because these trees (mostly ash) are surrounded by trees (mostly poplars) that are completely unaffected by the worms. The be-wormed trees look dead, although they do come back to life by August. On ONE branch alone I counted 24 worms hanging from the leaves in tangled strings of varying lengths. Very ugly. Saw a guy trying to console his son near Henrietta Muir Park after what I can only imagine was a nasty encounter with the caterpillars. Bikers have it the worst. I only walk in this corridor between the Muttart and Louise McKinney because the affected trees are easy to avoid…if you know where they are. Other parts of the river valley, particularly Rossdale, are out of bounds until mid-July. I know a lot of people loved the dry, mild winter that we had, but all I could think about…other than the black ice everywhere, was the leaf-roller caterpillar eggs NOT dying in the balmy temperatures. I’d take a couple of weeks of -30 weather to have a spring and summer without the green menace.

But…the other side of the bridge, in Louise McKinney, the view was bucolic. Green and lush and so, so, summery. Popped up to downtown for a Very Berry Booster Juice and a ride home on the train.

Today, Canada Day, it’s raining, but the sky is lightening up. Maybe a walk in the afternoon.

Addendum: 45 minute jaunt in Whitemud Creek with the dog. Humid, but sunny. Hmmm. We got Juned on the first day of July.

11:03AM/15C (now) 26C (yesterday)