Thunder and Lightning and Rain (Oh Boy!)

We were happy to get more rain today, which came through in 2 bands. The first was an afternoon shower that lasted about 20 minutes. It was accompanied by distant thunder and lightning.

The second band hit after dark. It was a pretty good downpour, along with a roaring thunder and lightning show. We turned off the inside lights, and turned on the pool light to watch the rain come down.

Tomorrow's weather forecast is for muggy conditions and warm temps in the high 80's.


"Early impressions are like glimpses seen through the window by night when lightning is about."
~E. F. Benson, English novelist  (1867-1940)

Another Round of Monarch Caterpillars

Around the beginning of September we noticed that another batch of monarch caterpillars had hatched in our courtyard. Actually, we noticed that our Golden Butterfly Weed was looking pretty sparse, and initially thought there was a problem with the drip irrigation. When we looked closer we saw the caterpillars munching away on the plants.

They finished with the Golden Butterfly Weed, then moved over to the Desert Milkweed where they continue to feed and grow bigger.

When we pulled out our bucket of gardening tools to work in the yard, we noticed a surprise on the foam kneeling pad. Fortunately, we have other kneeling pads we can use while this one is in use.