This was a hot, dry summer with record numbers of over 90 degree heat, dry spells. Spent a lot of time watering the lawn and gardens as my water bill shows. Lily and I did our walks in late evening after sun went down. Lily even got a couple of baths just to cool her down as she be really uncomfortable and panting. Spent a lot of time at air conditioned library. One day in mid August I was walking down the sidewalk in down town Anoka when a lady passed me and said "Don't you wish it would snow" and she kept on walking and it made me smile and agree. About State Fair time the moles invaded the front lawn and gardens. Kept me busy stomping down the mole trails. During the dry spells I'd sprinkle but the west neighbor didn't so the moles moved here where the digging was easier. Jim put down traps and got a couple of them and I sprayed some grub insectide. Moles uprooted and destroyed a couple of perennials. Aug 29 Hurricaine Katrina destroyed New Orleans. In September when we went to Alexandria for the day a storm with straight line winds hit Anoka area and tornado in Andover. Lots of storm damage to roofs and houses from falling trees. There were many momes and trees damaged in just our block. Warm weather continues into this fall. Today I hand clothes outside. Temps still in 50's and 60's many days but the nights are cool and frosty sometimes. This fall when the mums started blooming I was fortunate to have several new "sports" growing amongst my establised mums. I don't know the reason for this but I have beautiful drifts of color coordinated varieties. A couple of weeks ago I was raking in the front yard when a van pulled into the driveway and comented how beautiful my yard was and how the gardens "just flowed with color" anD wanted permission to take pictures when he could come back with a camera and I of curse was delighted with his praise and agreed. At the end of Oct Jim. Lily and I did a 3 day Fall Color tour of southern Minn going to Clear Lake Iowa across N Iowa thru Mason city to Prarie d'chin, Wisc and along the Wisc River Rd to Lacross then back home. Had a fun time with nice backroad county roads, river parks, trails, antiquing and enjoying the beauty of the season.
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