Current State Here

We have had so very little rain this month.  Plants and trees are parched.  Since returning from vacation on the 9th we have been heavily watering to keep everything alive.

Here's the view across the field behind our house.

Golden rod is in full bloom across there.

Below one area that has not recovered its green is that bit of lawn showing in the photo below.

The lawn hasn't been cut in probably three weeks so we have a plethora of these yellow flowers that resemble dandelions but go by the name Mouse Ear, a type of aster. They are throughout the lawn at about 5-6 inches tall.  Mowing will happen later this week so they'll disappear for a bit.

[DeniseinVA this is the wildflower I mentioned in my comment on your blog recently.]

Flowers were hit hard with the heat and drought conditions.  I'm tempted to just cut them down.

Dahlias are doing okay though.

Marigolds too. There are three plants in photo below but first plant has never put out a bloom.  These were ones I grew from seed in a milk jug greenhouse.

Marigolds that I planted in a pot were devoured by Japanese beetles so gave up on them.

These flowers are in another bed and doing better.

Ligularia is blooming in the Hosta garden.  It lets me know quite dramatically when it needs water.

The next photo is for David of Travels With Birds to identify what kind of spider this is.

It has made its web in amongst the Walking onions which I was going to pull out until I saw this creature.

My header photo is of the cherry tomatoes from my raised bed.  Today I put them on a baking sheet and roasted them.  Once cool they went into the freezer for a winter use.

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One last item - just finished "Original Sin" by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson.  Quite an eye opening book about Biden's mental acuity in the White House in the last year or two.  His decision to run again has meant that we have him to thank for tRump's election. He put Harris in a horrible position and it is surprising she did as well as she did.

If you haven't read it, I recommend you check it out of your local library.  It is very well written and factual.