SIZZLING SUNDAY/4th OF JULY

Do you get tired of hearing about my northeastern weather?  Most gardeners are a little bit obsessed with the weather, specifically speaking... will it rain?  Not this 4th of July weekend.  Temps are expected to advance the 100 degree mark and hold.  This could be a death sentence for some of my new and fragile crops.  I'm especially worried about the cinderella pumpkins, which I sowed later than usual.

I always try to provide numerous watering stations about the gardens for drinking and bathing.  Believe me, the birds appreciate this and wait for refills.  It is so heart warming to be able to observe their joyful antics in the water!

This natural 'pool' was uncovered when digging a new border.  It was clear that the rock wasn't going anywhere without heavy equipment involved, and so it stayed and became an important water feature in this small section of the garden.

A 'makeshift' birdbath, using an old terra cotta tray to substitute for the broken original.  This one resides under the gingko tree and is a very popular watering hole for the doves. Everybody seems to have their particular favorite hang out - the sparrows fight for this one -

Location might be a factor as this bath is closest to the bird condos under the porch eaves (gggrrrrr) Eviction plans are underway for that situation which grows more repellent by the day!  Everyone is getting tossed (as soon as the last babies leave their nests) and we are screening the porch in.  One last watering hole -

Looking around, I see that the 4th of July is being observed all over Cloudwalk;

Doesn't the Hungarian Breadseed Poppy sport some patriotic colors?

Seems like someone gravitates toward a red, white and blue combination - a true patriot!

Well, maybe this is stretching it - the stone could be considered 'blue', or perhaps Mr. Turtle's head has a touch of blue to it.  I brought one of the 911 quilts out and hung it on the line to air - 

   

Worldwide peace should be a religion.

It has to start at home, in each and every individual American heart.  We have to shrug off complacency and concern ourselves with others, especially those less fortunate than ourselves.  

I'm going to get my knitting and go sit on my porch for a while.  Here's wishing you all a safe and happy Fourth of July!  Do something nice for someone - a single random act of kindness.