The days are getting shorter.
Early mornings with the dogs' first trip outside have returned to flashlight times.
I'm actually kinda glad to be carrying a flashlight because it allows me to see beady eyes if they happen to be anywhere in the hay field.
Whether or not I see beady eyes, Bridie barks.
While I'm looking for those eyes with the flashlight, Bridie's nostrils are at work.
She knows when some creature has crossed her turf, and the minute she picks up a scent, the barking begins.
I try to tell her there's nothing out there, and, with the flashlight, I can be sure.
The flashlight has become a necessary morning accessory for dog duty and will continue to be for the months ahead.
Meanwhile, I discovered last night that shorter days do have an advantage, at least for now.
As an early-to-bed and early-to-riser, I am now getting the benefit of enjoying the solar-induced lights around our yard.
It gets dark earlier--nowadays before my usual bedtime.
For a while, until days get really short and there's not enough sunlight to give those lights a full dose of solar power, I may have to sit out on the deck in the evenings and enjoy all the bright and colorful spots around the yard.
Darkness has its disadvantages, but during this seasonal transition, the view around the yard just after dark, especially the flower sculpture above, is pretty neat.
In addition to using a flashlight for the morning walks, I've been putting the sprinkler to work much more often these past few days.
I can't remember a year when the landscape on our place was as dirty and dry as it has become this year.
We have piles of fine dirt all around the place, thanks to the work of gophers and other underground vermin.
They've been at work in the garden, along the mowed right-of-way, in the front yard and throughout the hay field.
Grass is drying up quickly, and what was a pretty lawn a few weeks ago is dusty, dirty and dry and often covered with dead leaves.
Our barnyard is especially bad. When they roll, the horses have worked up numerous spots with dust at least two-three inches deep.
Their noses are dirty every morning from nibbling away at the ground while waiting to go to pasture.
With all that in mind, throughout each day, I've moved the sprinkler to strategic spots to combat the driest of the dry and to provide a little moisture inside the barnyard for the horses' hooves, and, of course, their cleanliness.
After looking at weather forecast this morning, I saw no sign of rain in the next ten days.
So, it looks like dirty days ahead.
Thank goodness for sprinklers.
I think he's kinda cute.
He's been named the World's Ugliest Dog.
His owner won $5,000, and I have a feeling Jinny Lu has won a few hearts.
He's a rescue dog.
My roses are enjoying a resurgence with most of them popping out a host of new blooms.
The cooler weather has also helped revive many of the flowers around the place.
So, I guess we're into the grand finale of the floral color show for the summer of 2026.
Disclaimer: the sunrise below was yesterday's. Today's tried to get off to a beautiful start but then fizzled.
Sunrise has come and this Monday has begun.
Have a great day.
