It was a gloomy day today – pouring rain this morning, with another inch and a half in the rain gauge.
The horses were content in their stalls watching the wet weather. It was a quiet day.
Later, in the afternoon, I took some pictures despite the clouds. For starters, I have bad news – a Japanese beetle has attacked the perennial hibiscus. It has certainly been a frustrating year in the garden.
Horrible beetle 
Damaged bloom
The cats are unaffected by beetles and provided good subjects.
Twizzler resting 
Marmalade getting braver 
Cora bathing 
Tom Morris sharpening claws
The horses went out, but there was some horse fly torment… Run for the shed!
The shed is a safe space…
Oisin watching for flies 
Bart having a drink
Bart did his yoga exercises waiting for the sun to go down so they could get out to graze. There was also some mutual scratching. Stone wishes someone would scratch him…
Bart does yoga 
The Pearl Brothers know just where to scratch 
Stone would like a scratch
Stone’s prayers were answered, with Harry’s appearance.
My prayers were answered, too, by Harry’s appearance long ago.
Finally, our burr oak tree, planted fifteen years ago, has produced its first acorns, despite all the problems in the world.
Stay safe, stay well, and stay hopeful.
Oh my, not a dull, rainy blog. The photo and the caption of Harry and Stone warms me, inspires me, and makes me have a giant smile on my face. Yes! Love does exist! But, the Hibiscus, oh no! they are so beautiful! But, these creatures killing your garden sure seem to be thriving! Happy to see Marmalade methodically moving in, what a lucky cat! Stay well!
Try some milky spore around any plant attacked by Japanese beetles. Harry and Stone have the same color hair. Surely a good sign.
Thanks, Janis!