Started writing this 10 days ago and got overtaken by events, some annoying (heat, drought, infrastructure issues, wildlife incursions), others amusing but exhausting (Readercon, a jaunt to Rockland ME) for still-recovering me. Wasn't up for the Lowell Folk Festival this weekend so opted instead for a quiet walk (I can do those again!) in Mass Audubon's Habitat property followed by sushi and ice cream (in series, not parallel). Self-care is vital for recovery, after all.

Despite today's very welcome soaking rain, the garden and environs may not recover from this season's weather. A very wet spring set things up for all sorts of fungal shenanigans and kept me from noticing an irrigation failure that left about half the veg unwatered during June and July's heat waves and drought. So no basil or grean beans or hot peppers for me this year. The tarragon and sage (dry-climate perennials that don't need irrigation) are doing okay, at least.

The plants that did get water have barely hung on. Tomatoes and cukes are stunted, eggplants have been chomped by desperate chipmunks, and there's no sign of dill or other tender herbs. To add insult to injury I found a hornworm on one of my struggling Sungolds today. It won't be eating any more but the damage is done. I was hoping for more than a handful of fruit.

Speaking of fruit we did get some blueberries after multiple rounds of re-wrapping the bushes. That's kept the birds off but the drought has made the chipmunks extra-motivated to get through the (old & brittle) tulle and they'll probably win this race condition. Very local blueberries with morning yogurt are a consolation prize, as is the garlic I harvested earlier this month.

Also saw monarchs investigating the milkweed recently. Haven't seen any caterpillars yet but hope springs/s[ui]mmers eternal. In other wildlife news we've "won" a yellowjacket nest in the foundation (frotz is working on eviction) and the cats caught a field mouse in the kitchen. That's usually more of a late fall thing so I'm guessing they're also feeling drought stress.

The deer are also feeling drought stress and have been doing a number on every wildflower and yard shrub they can, including the volunteer black raspberries I was so happy to see back in May (canes stripped completely, thorns and all). They've also been very generous with ticks and droppings. At least they haven't gotten into the veg garden itself... yet. Hopefully the coyotes I've been hearing will help with those fawna (sic) issues.

Less problematically, the birdfeeders still have plenty of customers, including adorkable fledglings trying to figure out that whole "feeding yourself" thing. It always crack me up when one sits on a perch and begs at the birdseed instead of just taking some. I guess beaks are hard.

I've enjoyed today's interlude of no-aircon cooler weather and am not looking forward to tomorrow's heat. But that too shall pass. It's almost August; there's still time to hit the beach but autumn is coming.