Wicked early summer storms...along with the aformentioned rain, came some tornados... ...I'm not really a "rubbernecker", but I was surprised by the downed trees and damage...
....this was 3-4 days after, I guess most was cleaned up! Sorry pics aren't better, but I felt funny taking them at all, and it seemed disrespectful to stop and get a closeup.

Then while driving, I came upon this sign....please tell me this intersects with a road named "Schpit"...hahahahaha.....oh....I kill me.......and now the sun is back-almost with a vengence! Above normal temps all this week with no rain in sight! Guess the sprinkler's making a comeback.

Inchworm...check out this little dude I found on a sedum stem. Turns out, this "inchworm" is actually a "looper"of the family geometridae, and are moth larvae as well as "important pests" http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/insects/cateast/loopers.htm . Gee, I don't know.....he just looks like a cute little wormy to me....
...of course I may feel differently if I catch him eating this sedum...but for now he stays. Besides, I like moths, too! BTW...I'm trying to determine exactly which moth this looper is larvae for...will post result when my research is done....
Update....okay, after much online research to try and ID this worm, I know 2 things: there are a gazillion different caterpillars of all kinds, including loopers....and entemology is really interesting....yes, that's all I know. It looks similar to loopers I found on several websites, but no concrete match. So I give up...for now. (This is why I'm not an entemologist-after awhile I'd get frustrated and say "Screw it! This is "green worm number two!" ;-)

"Raindrops keep fallin' on my leaves"....hooray the rains have come! Off and on for the past few days, and we're supposed to get more later today with hard-core storm potential. Now, I can do without the "large hail and damaging winds" they're predicting, but wishers can't be choosers, so I'll take it!The moisture makes for some photo-ops, too....like this crinkly hosta leaf... ...I'm finding that I like Lady's Mantle more the longer I grow it. At first, my mom said I must have some, so she gave me this nice clump. I liked the leaves, but for some reason felt rather un-enthusiastic about it. But I must say, it's got nearly all of the qualities of a "good plant": foliage stays nice most all season, very hardy, low to no maintenance. The only other thing I'd wish for is showier flowers. But hey, it's all good!
Lucky for my quick-draining sand, or the increased rain might cause my irises to get a bit mushy...as it is, they're pretty happy, which makes me happy too!

Turkey turf wars...this nice-sized Tom was pretty close to the road, so I stopped to get a picture. Then I saw the other Toms he was gobbling at... ...looks like the Bloods and the Crips....or should I say the Beaks and the Tails....he just kept gobbling and walking in their direction...was he trying to join their group? Challenging for territory?
Unfortunately, I was on my way to work, so I couldn't stay to watch the drama play out. I didn't realize they continued to display like this as the season progresses...I wonder if there are still hens to be mated with...or is this just "routine chatter" that goes on all year? Their behavior is interesting to be sure...I just think they're cool. I wonder if they'd let me join their gang? Somehow I doubt it....

The "Quirkiest Planter Competition"...is going on over at Stuart's blog, http://gardeningtipsnideas.com/, and here are some of my entries...(not entirely sure I can enter more than once, but anyhow)...first are these washtubs, broken lawn chair, wooden basket on it, and wagon wheel below, all of which were free of charge from the local dump. This picture is not from this year, as nothing's looking this lush yet. (There may be rules against using a pic from another year, but I don't think so) Next is this plastic thermos, also from the dump for free (my favorite price!).
Then here's a Weber grill lid, planted up with some perennials, also not this year. (Lid was also free, along with the wagon wheel spokes.)
And last are these work boots. Lots of folks plant stuff in these, and I like the look also. So those are my entries, the contest ends tomorrow...but I just found out yesterday (I need to visit his blog more often!).....so wish me luck!