The conditions are hot and very dry here in central NJ, and I'm sure that's the case for many other locations around the US (and the world).
The good news is that despite the crispy, brown, dead appearance of most of my lawn, we are not officially in a drought as of now, just "Abnormally Dry". The next stage after Abnormally Dry is Moderate Drought, so that seems to escalate a bit quickly, but we may get some rain from thunderstorms this afternoon. Fingers crossed!
Another piece of good news is that I haven't had to mow for four weeks. That's especially welcome when it's so hot. There is still a strip of green grass in the shade that I've told John we need to leave for the rabbits and deer. I've been cleaning and refilling the bird bath daily, and at one point yesterday I had a dozen birds drinking from it. All of the critters seem to appreciate some green grass and fresh water. :-)
So while I wait hopefully for rain and cooler temperatures, I'm enjoying reading more, knitting more, and just relaxing. Here's hoping you've got plenty of iced mint tea at hand and things are green and well-watered in your world!
Yesterday was just miserable. Although the "no mow summer" is not bad... it is horrendously dry here as well. This mornings rain was so welcome, there might have even been a bit of dancing for joy! :)
ReplyDeleteStay cool and I hope this rain makes it way to you!
Fingers crossed we get the thunderstorms (or any rain) this afternoon too. Everything is parched! The weekend really was horribly hot. Like you, we do not have central air. We've been running our window units and I can't wait to see our next electric bill...
ReplyDeleteWe've had similar dry, hot conditions here, but I woke up to a real thunderstorm this morning. Here's hoping the rain is headed your way!
ReplyDeleteI am feeling very spoiled . . . with our regular rains and lower temps (although hot, it's not been above 90) and central air. Much of Michigan is in some level of drought, but my little corner of the state is not. (For now.) I'm hoping some rain and heat-relief is headed your way. I'm sure your bird friends are so appreciative of fresh water! Stay cool, Bonny . . . however you can. XO
ReplyDeleteYep, same here, Bonny. We have been so hot for over a month (heat indexes above 100 for all that time), and we are in severe drought conditions, over 5 inches behind on rainfall. It has been a challenging summer! We actually have a drop in temps and some rain predicted for the end of this week, so I am keeping fingers crossed it actually materializes. I have been going through my recipes for cold vegetable salads to avoid cooking. So far, potato salad, broccoli salad, black eyed pea salad, ramen noodle salad, etc. !! With a little protein added, it avoids cooking. If you have cold salad ideas, please share. Maybe your readers would have some if you asked? It seems everyone is taking their turn dealing with extreme heat. I will keep a good thought for the rain and cooler temps to head up your way after it visits here.
ReplyDeleteOur water bowl for the birds and squirrels has been particularly popular as well. This is a time when I find yet another reason to be happy not to have a lawn - keeping the garden going takes work enough!
ReplyDeleteWe've also had very hot weather. We were in a moderate drought until last week and now we are under a flood watch for tonight and tomorrow! I am ready for Fall!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're supposed to get some rain and hope that flooding doesn't become an issue. I'm right there with you on being ready for fall. It will be most welcome this year!
DeleteThe dry weather is really showing in my yard. Both of my dogwoods have dried up sections and the poor hostas are totally wilted. The day lilies really aren't blooming. Hopefully we will get the rain that they forecast for tonight.
ReplyDeleteIt had finally cooled off a bit last night that I could shut off the air for a while and open some windows!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping for rain for us today, our plants are SO dry and the lawn is fried. We've been putting ice cubes in the bird baths for our feathered friends.
ReplyDeleteI keep watering the garden beds but the yard is looking very dry. Today it cooled off and we had light drizzle on and off several times today. It wasn't much moisture but every little bit helps. I hope you get some rain. And now I must go scrub and fill the bird bath in the backyard.
ReplyDeleteWe understand that parched feeling deeply. Our draught will continue for years to come and conditions will likely get worse. Not really something we can change but we'll try to live through it. Water is so precious.
ReplyDeleteWe´ve just experienced our second heatwave this year in South West France. Most of France is suffering drought. The bird bath is now being used by the bees and the wasps so I try to keep a pot of water hanging under a tree for the birds to drink from.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like all the wildlife needs to get access to water. I've felt bad for the birds and deer in our area as there are no puddles or even dew to drink from.
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