August already.

It's August. It's been cool the past few days. Temperatures have remained in the 80s as clouds roll by with no real rainfall. We've had a few scattered showers here and there. The soil beneath the large trees is still dry and crunchy. More rain likely today, tomorrow, and apparently the rest of the week. I'm not placing any bets.

In the yard, the hosta are blooming. So far, only the white blooms have opened. They're so clean and crisp this time of year. In another week or two, they'll turn ugly and brown like azaleas in the spring.



Salvia Coral Nymph is blooming on the slope by the front walk.



In the backyard, butterflies find the milkweed irresistible. Just a few feet away, Joe Pye Weed is beginning to attract visitors. The bees arrived first.



Tomorrow, I plan to attack the front slope. I'm not sure what I plan to do here just yet, but it needs to be something different. Maybe some sedum groundcovers, propagated from my own collection. Maybe some stones and rocks, a new home for the succulent bed out back. Maybe just mow it down and sow grass seed this fall. I haven't decided yet. A little float time on the lake might reveal a whole new direction.

It's 81 degrees. The high today should be in the mid 90s. August has arrived.