The humidity has broken and this morning is beautifully cool. We had a huge thunderstorm yesterday which went on for a long time; torrential rain, thunder, lightning, black skies. It was rather spectacular. I’m always, this particular summer, grateful for rain. We need it so.

I saw this little monarch the other day. Quickly spotting the first zinnia to open, he zeroed in for a landing.

Every time I see a monarch butterfly, I am heartened. Our milkweed is invaluable as it is the one and only habitat for monarchs. That’s why I let it self-seed wherever it wants to.

That little moth I showed you yesterday is called a Rosy Maple Moth. As it was on lavender that was right next to the maple tree, it all makes sense.

The purple (and white) coneflowers are fully open. More than almost any other flower here, I think that coneflowers are the perfect cottage garden flower. They’re sturdy and self-seeding, they last a long time, and they’re beautiful.

Me taking a picture of Don taking a picture of me. That camera is heavy!

More Holga photos:

A young woman sitting on a stoop in the Village.

A lost sneaker.

We’re having brunch at a local restaurant with Rick and Doug today. I haven’t seen them in ages. We love them and look forward to catching up and to certain laughter. We always laugh a lot when we’re together.

You surely know, by the way, without me writing in detail, my thoughts on the word “treason” and its application to the man who occupies the Oval Office. Enough said.

Happy Wednesday.