Despite measurable or trace amounts of rain six of seven days this past week, it came to just 0,34". Summer solstice has passed, and the weather seems relatively normal for early summer. The first half of the week brought cool overnight temps in the high 50s to low 60s, while the second half were temps in the high 60s to low 70s. A heat dome sitting over a good part of the Midwest and South is moving east. Weather forecasts are warning New Englanders of a heat wave starting today. Hot, hazy and humid, here comes summer weather - right on cue.
The old sugar maple that graced the front of this old house for likely 150 years had to be removed. The town owned the tree by right, placing a property marker at about the halfway point of it some 20 years ago. The crown had died off, branches and even bark were falling off the main center trunk. There was real concern about the tree becoming a "widow-maker". A sad day to lose a tree like that...
The rest of the trees are past their flowering phases, pollen counts from trees seem to have passed. Summer bushes are beginning to show off their flowers, followed by various perennials. Hosta are pushing up their spikes as are the yucca. Milkweed is in full bloom, bringing along lots of bees. One of the seasonal favorites - local strawberries - are now available. I've purchased some from two local farms and have already frozen some for next winter, when you really need a little taste of summer. Almost as good tasting as the fresh local berries are right now.