Sultry Sunday

And not the seductive type of sultry!  Actually, today wasn't as bad as we had been lead to believe.  It was cloudy for most of the morning and we even had a few sprinkles.  Of course, the line of showers that was on its way on the radar dissipated about 10 miles out from our house.  sigh... we're still dry, dry, dry and HOT!  I think we finally hit 97 this afternoon.  At least it wasn't the 102 that had been forecast.
It was a busy day here. We did the drive-by church drop off since I15 had to acolyte. I got up early and headed out to weed in the garden while it was still cool. I'm trying to get a spot prepared for my fall crops.  The spot available is the space where early stuff had been and has now been taken over by weeds.  They pulled amazingly well considering how dry it is.  Justine got up and helped me for a bit and we got quite a bit done before it got too hot to work.
Then, we ran off to the farmer's market and grocery store.   We picked up a HUGE cantelope and some sweet corn from the market and got peaches at the store (along with a few other things).  Then this afternoon became a busy time of making things.
First, it was necessary to make some laundry detergent since I had used the last of what we had.  I'm definitely getting faster and better at it.  3 gallons of detergent in half an hour for probably about a dollar cost.  Not too shabby!
Then, I worked on some of the peaches.  They aren't as ripe as the ones we got to eat so I had to be selective.  The rest will ripen some more before I use them.  But this afternoon I made some spiced peach jam.  YUM!  I15 wasn't too excited about it (He's not a huge cinnamon fan) but everyone else thought it was 'da bomb'!  I hope to make some plain peach jam when the peaches ripen a bit more.
After jammin' - it was family frolic in the pool then a late dinner.  I'm back to work tomorrow- a 6 day stint.  It will probably be a rough week since one of my co-workers is on vacation all week.  But, I can't complain too much, I've got some vacation time coming up soon.
V and I also met our new neighbor this afternoon.  The 41 acre lot to our West and South were sold earlier this year.  This afternoon, we noticed that someone was mowing brush across the fenceline to the west.  So V and I wandered over that way.  We met Dave- the new owner.  It seems that he has a full time job but wants to farm evenings/weekends so they bought the land.  We're just fine with that.  At least he doesn't want to develop it.  We have been worried about a housing development going up over there.
Family things have been a bit stressful recently.  One sister's home was burglarized recently but she at least has gotten her wedding ring and a few other things back- the police found them in a pawn shop.  My other sister was rear-ended last week and totaled her car.  Fortunately she is OK.   I'm really hoping that this isn't a trend of bad luck for the family.  I can't handle much more stress.
I thought I'd end with a few drought photos.  I wish I had taken my camera along today when Justine and I were out.  I'll have to get some photos of the local corn fields.

 This is our lawn!

 Complete with cracks in the soil.  This one is a good inch across in some place.

 At least the weeds in the driveway aren't a problem this year.

 The neighbor's hay field to the North.   He has had only one cutting so far this year.  Unless we get more rain that may be all he gets.

 The pollinator garden is struggling.  Even the coneflowers are curled up.  This space is usually lush and green.  Not this year.  I have watered it on occasion but not as much as it needs.

But, just so you don't think everything is doom and gloom.  A few positive photos.

Eggplant!

 Ripening tomatoes.

 And green peppers.  This is the first year in a long time that I've had green peppers.  I plant them but usually they have huge plants but very few peppers.  This year, they are doing great.  The Anaheims are the ones that have big plants but no peppers.

And, lastly, a potato of questionable origin...

How odd!