I may have spoken too soon about the heat breaking.  Hold that thought.  The flowers themselves look like fire and flames, all gold and orange and red.  Here and there, little asters in cooler shades are blooming.  It’s a fiery rainbow.

I got most of the natives planted in the field and shade garden; now it’s just a waiting game until spring.  Even if a few make it, I’ll feel gratified.  It’s starting to look more like a wild garden than a weed field out there.

This little skink was in my wagon with the bagged soil amendments.  Now he lives in the field.

Here are both wild and cultivated flowers, and Misu overseeing.

My son is over today; here he is napping under a tree.

The evolving saga of the drug bust reminds me of a wasp nest that’s been raided (pun intended).  All the disrupted wasps are agitatedly buzzing around in circles, their HQ disrupted, their main wasps out of circulation, not sure where it’s safe to regroup.  That’s what it looks like next door, displaced crackheads straggling in and out in the pouring rain, salvaging what they can.

It’s hard to feel any sympathy, having witnessed their shady activities.  Unlike actual wasps, these are unproductive, idle slackers for the most part.  I don’t see how the old status quo can resume after a big bust.  I have hopes that the owner of the house will take a different course of action now. Then we can get on with living and planting trees in peace.

Today is a local city primary for mayor, city council members, etc.  There are some actual promising progressives to choose from on the ballot.  We’ll be out there in the pouring rain, doing our little part.  Maybe the weather will discourage disengaged, uneducated conservatives, of which there seem to be many in this area, from getting out.  Every little bit helps.

Here are some soggy jungle photos.  All my plants are just soaking it up.  Misu, being a water-cat, enjoys watching the deluge from the porch, as do I.  We’re waterproof.

Well, there’s some justice in the world, anyway.  Today there was a surprise police drug bust next door, and they carried off some suspects and items.  Yay!

Needless to say, we were relieved.  The constant trafficking and goings-on day and night made us feel insecure and nervous all the time, but we didn’t dare report it, because of possible retaliation.  Apparently there’s a big drug ring around here, and police are systematically connecting the dots, and finally followed it here.

Some regulars who weren’t caught are skulking in and carrying off any merchandise and electronics the cops didn’t seize.  Hopefully now things will wind down over there soon, and we can stop looking over our shoulder all the time.

It just reaffirms that eventually karma will prevail.  Maybe it can happen on a larger scale, and trump’s deranged criminal activity will backfire on him once and for all.

Meanwhile, it was a cool, drizzly day, perfect weather for finishing the hole-digging in the field.  Misu supervised.  All my flowers are enjoying the relief.  Next I’ll finish planting the native wildflowers, then move on to the next phase, trees and shade wildflowers.  It will be nice to be able to work outside without drug addicts staggering around, glaring at us, and crashing into our trees!

Here are some happy flowers, and Misu being too cute.  I don’t know how she gets in some of these pretzel positions!

Yesterday we helped my son get ready to go out dancing in Knoxville.  Here he is posing.  Please forgive the poor photo quality, it doesn’t do him justice.

Today I began my field planting project.  It was hard work, but I got about half of it done.  It won’t look like anything until hopefully next year.

I enjoy days like these, when we can offer my son a place to hang out, work, or utilize as a HQ from which to meet friends or clients throughout the day.  Misu is a big fan and collaborator as well.  Here are some “sneaky” shots I took, more flowers, an unidentified caterpillar, and a moth on ironweed.

Yesterday (erev) was pleasantly spent with my son here, after all his travels.  In between t-storms, I grilled some chicken, and he worked from his “downtown office” on the back porch.  Misu reveled in “her boy’s” presence, even taking a nap together.  Between you and me, I wish it could always be so, but I must live in reality and savor the present moment while it’s here.

Here are some wet flowers, and Misu waiting on the front porch for Avdi to return.

It’s a steamy jungle out there in the rain, but this may be the last of the 90s streak (don’t quote me on that).  I set up my “irrigation system” (an extended hose) in the field, in preparation for installing all the native wildflowers.  Misu inspected my boardwalk.  The ravens lurked nearby.  A hummer buzzed me.  I keep finding new little native tree saplings coming up out there.  I have hopes for my “meadow” come spring.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get hotter–it did.  A heat index of 100° may not be unusual, but it’s hot enough to fry brains, whatever’s left of them.  Nevertheless, flowers, butterflies, and veggies just get brighter as it gets hotter.  This orange butterfly may be some type of fritillary, not sure.  I’m finally getting some peppers.  This jalapeño actually ripened to red.

Folks with dogs [babies, etc…] in vehicles–PLEASE do not leave them parked, even with windows cracked for a few minutes.  It can be fatal.

Again, only a Hort geek would get excited over this, but out in the field today I discovered a Vernonia (Ironweed) volunteer growing.  This is a tall purple native wildflower that tends to grow in or near wetlands or prairies, and is desirable for pollinators and butterflies.  To most people it would look like just a weed, but to me it represents validation of my efforts to create a healthy natural environmental area.

Wait long enough, and nature eventually repairs the damage we’ve done by restoring itself to more natural habitats that can support endangered native wildlife.  Install enough aggressive natives, and they’ll slowly push out the harmful exotic invasives that choke out beneficial species.  Anyway, that’s my good news for a change.

It was another scorcher of a day, so naturally I grilled.  Flowers continue to thrive in the hot sun.  Each morning I try to get out and work on garden maintenance while it’s bearable, in anticipation of the real work ahead of me as fall approaches.  That’s when all the native wildflowers I grew from seed will finally be planted in their permanent meadow home, and all the sickly veg beds will get some serious restoration.