…about the drought (and anything else I can think of). While I’ve been distracted the drought has persisted.
Incredible lack of moisture over an incredible length of time. Above, cottonwoods already losing their leaves.
The climate crisis isn’t coming; it’s here.
Still no WiFi. Gotta give ATT a high five.
There, that should do it. (At least for now. )
…like this one along a horse pasture. Mimi’s got the hang of her new bike.
ATT WiFi internet service down again, a direct result of doofuses messing with the pole box on Monday while trying to fix our neighbor’s problem. How fun is it to spend a hour on the phone with your internet (supposed) provider?
…for the Arboretum.
Actually, 4,775 feet, or .9 mile, according to a rolling wheel distance counter, while trying to determine the length of a proposed Interpretive Trail in the place. The plan is to keep plugging away on the Arboretum dream in the hope that something actually happens. Signs are that it might, but we will see if momentum continues when I ease up on the pushing.
Lots of phone time, but ultimately, molecular Covid tests scheduled at both Mercy Health and CVS. While Mercy is our first choice, CVS was the easiest. Lots of other loose ends to tie up too.
Photos above of a Purple Martin house which the Urban Forestry Commission has erected, and which is now housing the last three soon-to-be fledglings.
BTW, it’s good to know that Purple Martins are synanthropic.
Perfect summer supper. Some of it home grown, almost all of it local.
…the second annual Canada family get together at Lac du Flambeau. Very nice.
Polaroid by Becca
…not many photos.
Abby and I on an early morning 18 mile bike ride on one of the Manitowish Waters trails. Later, rowing and swimming. With Mimi—sewing. Still later, geocaching, campfire starting, followed by home movies.
And then an Aesop fable just prior to skinny-dipping.
…mostly by boat.
…while mostly sunny and pleasant.
…and for the fun.
…not here, of course, but in a big part of Northern Wisconsin.
Here, I watched, on radar, a dark band of storms slide southeast this morning, and then disappear into thin air right around Fort. As a result, sunny, hot, and dry. As usual.
Abby’s cottage and Brian’s cottage both without power for something like 20 hours.
…that floats on high o’er vales and hills.”
And if you are a cloud around here, you are very lonely.
Henmnmnmnmnnn… I’m getting thirsty.
Temp in the 90s, and not a cloud in sight.
…but sun, heat, and drought.
…hiding from the sun and heat and only coming out early and late. Walk before breakfast, bike ride at sunset. Trapped in a relentless weather pattern.
Above , a shaded secret garden, only slightly wilted, seen on our early morning walk.
Photo by Sue
And for dinner.
…to tentatively plan, map out, and plant an interpretive trail through the Arboretum At Starin Park in preparation for a big grant application.
And here’s the stump of a bur oak that came down last week of it’s own accord during a stretch of our calm, sunny, and dry weather—after more than 100 years of growing.
Oaks should last hundreds of years, but somehow rot got into this one.
…with sandwiches available. Nice idea, but the band wasn’t so good, the sandwich was mediocre, and the walk home was hot. Odd to be one of the younger members of the crowd.
…if beans, cucumbers, and a tomato are sufficient. (Of course, beets and squash and a whole lot of tomatoes are coming in soon. )
Cloudy and cool this morning, which was a relief.
The Arboretum At Starin Park.
It’s been a decade in the making, but today word was received that the AASP has been certified as an official arboretum by ArbNet. Sometimes, if you keep pushing, the objective is obtained.
Partial view from above, last fall.
…a little more fun.
More cookery, this time of the morning variety
Big cottonwood
Catching baby snapping turtles
Getting up close to pebbles and snails
And, as a finale, a long and loud double-engine freight train.
…Wisconsin.
Photo by Bri.
Paint job and full metal roof. Hot work.
Earler, bike shopping with the boys. And this evening Ellie, Maddie, and Becca down for dinner and an overnight.
…and other garden wonders. What with watering and the recent rain, the garden is prospering. Squash have climbed up an over several tomato cages, so we may have something more elevated than low hanging fruit.
BTW, it might be good to disregard my previous TV series recommends since I made them before finishing the series. However, I highly recommend the PBS Masterpiece series Professor T, which we started last night.