7/6/26  “May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the oppprtunity to do what is right.” ~Peter Marshall

Sunshine, 60 degrees.  Partly cloudy today, an ESE breeze, high 83, low 56.  Partly cloudy tomorrow, a south breeze, high 83, low 56.  Partly cloudy Thursday and Friday, WSW breezes highs about 88, lows in the mid sixties.  Scattered thunderstorms Friday, a NW breeze, high 83, low 61. Sunshine Saturday, a NNW breeze, high 84, low 59.  Partly cloudy Sunday, a NW breeze, high 85, low 60. Possible afternoon and overnight showers next Monday, a brisk SSW breeze, high 83, low 62. Scattered thunderstorms next Tuesday, stiff WNW breeze, high 80, low 61. Partly cloudy next Wednesday, a brisk WNW breeze, high 80, low 60.  Fog next Thursday, a NW breeze, high 80, low 60. Partly cloudy Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th, west breezes, highs 82, lows 60.  Perhaps a shower Sunday the 19th, a west breeze, high 83, low 63.

    It was a hard weekend.  Gilbert loved celebrating the Fourth of July.  His absence meant the day was celebrated quietly, finding  different things to do. This bunch went to the beach and baked.  The strong winds cooled them off when they got home.  I went to the boat parade.  "Santa" Gilbert always had his boat leading the parade.  Not only was Santa missing but not as many other  boats turned out.

   Twenty some years ago brain cancer took a grandson.  Yesterday was his birthday.  Mike, his father, and I spent some time at the family cemetery.  Doug and Nicole keep it mowed, Mike did some trimming. He watered the flowers on Mitch's and Violet's graves.  I pulled creeping charlie. Sally Jo had just weeded it out a few weeks ago! Gilbert's headstone is there now.  Barbie chose a beautiful stone. Saturday close family will gather to lay Gilbert's ashes to rest.  The greenhouse will be closed.
   Square bale hay weather is here..  They started filling our barns yesterday.  Many farmers are making hay, please be patient if you get behind a wagon load of hay.  Be thankful there was rain to grow the grass and now there is sun to dry it. 

   This weather is when we are thankful for soaker hoses in the gardens.  Saturday was the cucumbers' day for water.   Lots of water makes sweet cucumbers. Jay is picking some every day.  Yesterday was the mums turn to get watered.  Today  the potatoes' soaker hoses get turned on.  Have you planted shrubs, trees or some perennials? They need a good weekly soaking.

   May your day be blessed, Sally