It's the tail-end of summer in Stratford, Ontario, which means alternating doses of rain, steamy heat, and brisk cool weather that makes one wonder if all trees intend to dump their leaves next week or the week after.

In summer, rain usually comes in the form of the Perth County Particular, a thunderstorm of remarkable vim and vigour due to squall lines blowing east from Lake Huron. We had one of those last night, with donner and blitzen from suppertime to long after I went to bed. Today is grey and humid with promise of another storm. I should collect the downed tree branches from last night before another load lands on the lawn.

I have yet to see a south-bound skein of geese, however, and the municipal swans are still on the river, so we have plenty of warm days -- and the thunderstorms that come with them -- to look forward to.