rainy days and kitten haze

My dahlias have had a rough time.  Despite improper storage of tubers, root bound seedlings, and a month of almost no rain...they're starting to pop.

So far "the singles" are blooming - a bright Orangesicle, this lush pink...but no doubles yet.  

The whole behind-house garden where they're planted is popping.

The drought really affected the hydrangeas too, causing them to lose half of their leaves.  The bush looks naked, but the flowers are still pretty.

Other things are showing up now, too.  Some reseeded themselves from last year, and some came from my winter sowing containers, but it's nice to start seeing some color.

June was so crippled with drought that everything is much shorter and less robust than it should be, but at least I have plenty for my bouquets.

Flowers bring the bugs!  A praying mantis watched me weed this week.

Milkweed bugs are still makin' babies...

...and here they are!  These milkweed bug nymphs are busily sucking nutrients from the milkweed seed pods.  I can tell which pods have been affected...they're blackened.  But there are plenty to go around.

Bees are everywhere!

Busily sucking water from the fence with a fly buddy!

This four-toothed mason wasp is waiting out the storm.

Despite being enthusiastic stingers, they're good to have around.  They frequently take over carpenter bee nests, laying eggs in their chambers and bringing back a nice store of paralyzed caterpillars for their young.  They seem to prefer caterpillars that are damaging to gardens, so it's a win win!

It's been a wonderful cool week of rain.  Claudia stays dry on the front porch...

...while the kittens "help out" inside.

begging for turkey

tracking debris all over the couch and then sprawling out to claim two cushions

taking advantage of Calliope's temporary absence by keeping her cat bed warm

Calliope (now that she has food, water, and litter box upstairs) seems to have mellowed a bit toward the kittens.  They continue to be deferential to her, despite the fact that they probably both outweigh her now.  I added a cat bed to my sewing table (making THREE for Calliope) and she loves to sleep there during the day.  Best of all, the kittens haven't noticed it yet.

This cool weather makes me feel so eager for fall.  Crisp mornings, jeans and flannels, pumpkin everything (and my pumpkins are growing spectacularly!)...

Just six more weeks!!