and then came the Rain!

Several days ago the evening sky was lit up by this brilliant pink cloud, above which soared the half-moon. And then, last night it rained non stop... so much so that the creek at the end of the garden became a torrent.

But the blue skies have returned, the waters have subsided and all seems still.

We now have a menagerie of birds... scores of starlings, baby sparrows, an eastern kingbird, swallows, red-winged blackbirds, cowbirds, morning doves and, more recently a baby Northern Flicker. 

The rabbits have become more brave.... nibbling on our new plants to test them. And so I've girded the Bee Balm with a necklace of chicken wire to keep them out. 

The chipmunks don't seem to care much though and dash through the garden from time to time...even climbing trees!

Nicholas

The rains brought relief from the 90+ degree weather...today is breezy and in the 60's...wonderfully refreshing.

But before the cloudier skies and cooler temperature, yesterday this little beauty did some sunbathing near the feeders...bliss...

And even with the heat, we have been adding to the garden. Sitting on the step on the white pathway, I found the hot pink of the echinacea, warm golden shades rudbeckia, and cooling periwinkle blue of the Russian sage, provide a fabulous foreground to the lush greens of the field and the hills beyond...

At the end of the white pathway, we have hung the two Tibetan bells that used to grace our pergola in our English garden...

And the "love nook" just inside the gate (with the "love is all you need" sign) is home to our other wind wind chime, the Angels Unawares plaque, and tomatoes plants which are now beginning to fruit...

It seems difficult to believe that we have arrived at this moment, that we are in our home, and that the things we loved so in our garden in Dorking are here with us in America, bringing us joy and delight once more...and yet, it is so...what a wonderful thing, a life...

Judy