Two days ago, under cover of darkness, the provincial government cut down over 800 mature trees near the waterfront at Ontario Place. This desecration, this massacre, the cruel and venal stupidity are beyond belief. All for a luxury spa owned by a Belgian company. And to encourage everyone to drive there, in case there’s not enough gridlock near the water, we taxpayers will pay for thousands of parking spaces.

Takes my breath away with rage and sorrow. And on the world stage, much worse — brutality, horror, war, starvation, destruction. Men, out of control.

Okay, my anger and despair do no good. I loved Helen Humphrey’s beautiful Followed by the Lark, an exploration of the life of Henry David Thoreau, who lived close to nature and never stopped relishing and observing. He too suffered from the brutality around him, the cutting down of trees, the slaughter of animals and birds; as he died, the American Civil War had just begun. Each generation has its horrors, its loathsome, destructive fools, but also its blessings. I’ll focus on the latter.

Which includes our surreal October that continues hot and bright. I just went to buy one last bottle of rosé; I only drink rosé when it’s warm outside, and it still is, so lovely, so welcoming.

The coleus in Riverdale Park is dazzling. My cat sleeps on a throw rug in a patch of sun. My stomach heaves when I think … but I will try not to. Nap time. I’ll go curl up beside her, in the sun.

Oh –  and the raccoons left a message on my deck cushion, to let me know they’re doing just fine.