Due to the heat advisory (and lack of goals), Jane and I decided not to ride this morning. I can never seem to get caught up with all the work around here, so I made a futile effort toward that end.
Harry ventured into St. Louis County for a masked and socially distanced read through of a play with two friends. He very much enjoyed the change of scene.
During my garden puttering, I saw a spider with an egg sack – very cool. It’s not a great picture, and spider camouflage is very good. The egg sack is easier to see than the attached spider. I’m not much good at insects, so I don’t know exactly what spider this is.
Cora rested in the weeping crab tree, wilted by the heat (Cora, that is, not the tree).
Birds continue to delight us, whatever the weather. Today we have pictures of the male rose breasted grosbeak visiting with a dove, and one of my favorites, a black capped chickadee. I like to imagine the chickadee was born in the fencepost nest that Nathaniel found earlier this Spring. I was worried that all the rains might have ruined that nest, but I have been seeing three chickadees on the deck railing.
Today, I was trimming back a bush along the stream and saw a bird’s nest. Not sure what bird, but maybe the catbird? Needless to say, trimming was discontinued until autumn in deference to whatever bird is trying to raise a family right there!
Grosbeak and dove 
Black capped chickadee
The phlox in the front garden is magnificent, and delights the butterflies, too.
Our new solar powered fountain arrived today. It’s so simple and beautiful! I am hoping to see hummingbirds frolic in it, like I have seen on videos. So far, no luck…
When the horses went out this evening, Oisin demonstrated the old adage about greener grass.
Stay safe, stay well, stay cool.
I would call her a wolf spider. The phlox is magnificent and Harry never looked better. Love the new fountain. Love the sound of running water (outside haha). Still awaiting word from the roof crew. Stay cool and safe and well.