Late Summer

 There have been so many beautiful clouds around for the past two and a half weeks, but we’ve only had a few tiny drops of rain.  Big Bear and Forest Falls received so much rain some roads were washed out! 

I’m glad that some areas of the mountains I love so much got some much needed rain.  I’m hoping that the western end of the mountains where I live will get a good downpour soon.  

My hydrangeas did well this summer, although they have mostly lost all their color now and are just green.  

This has been the hottest summer I can remember, and I’ve lived in these mountains for most of my life.  It’s lovely to be out on the lake though.  

Charlie likes to climb trees to stay cool.  

The petunias appreciate a sprinkle from the garden hose once a day.  I didn’t buy many annuals this year to cut back on my water usage.  I’ve even stopped throwing out the water from the animals’ bowls when I give them fresh twice a day, instead pouring the old water into a watering can and using it on the plants.  It seems California is in a never-ending drought.  

But, the ducks are happy.  Lucky them, getting to paddle around in cool water all day!

I'm Still Here!

I finally got an antique desk for my home office to house my computer, so hopefully I'll be blogging a little more regularly. We've been having lots of beautiful thunderclouds from July through August, but they have only given us 2 tenths of an inch of rain.  Talk about stingy!

I've been working in my studio and back garden, making cards, painting and growing flowers. 

Taking walks through the forest... 

and taking lots and lots of photos.  I mostly take them with my iPhone X nowadays, but I'm finding that although it takes good photos for a phone, it really can't match my Nikon and Canon cameras. 

The hydrangeas were beautiful this summer, but they've all turned green now. 

I bought a new rose bush, "Frida Kahlo" and she is wonderful!  Lots of blooms, great scent, and the blooms vary in color. 

The wild blackberries are ripening all over these mountains.

The shops up here have their fall things on display.

The temperatures are dropping, especially at night, and the kitties are staying cozy.  (That's Sophia wearing more stripes than usual). 

Stella looks like she's getting ready for Halloween! 

And there have been lots of beautiful sunsets at Lake Gregory. 

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