It’s August, and it’s hot.

It’s August, and it’s hot outside. The weather has been in the 100s for three weeks straight, but good news is on the horizon. A couple of cold fronts are going to barrel into Oklahoma and reduce our temperatures to the 90s. Whoopee!

In fact, one came through this morning, and it made things less hot, but the tiny amount of rain created a very muggy atmosphere. I weed-eated the upper pasture fenceline with our new Stihl weedeater while it was cloudy outside. I took these photos of the upper pasture, which is full of beautiful swaying grasses. I also weed-eated the Johnson grass and then sprayed the four-inch high grass with glyphosate. It’s the only way I’ve found to reduce the amount of Johnsongrass in the upper pasture. I never like using the big G, but needs must.

Plus, I mowed paths in the meadow. It’s how I enjoy walking through it.

You might be thinking, her landscape doesn’t look too bad. I’m still sick of gardening this year. How about you?

Remember the last post when I was lamenting how I don’t have enough time? Well, now, I wish summer, with its stupid hot weather, would just go away. I’m fickle that way.

In July and August, I feel like my garden, and I simply wait for fall. Well, everyone except the crapemyrtles, Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm,’ and my tall garden phlox. They are some of the plants that thrive in Oklahoma summers. Oh, and the butterflies. They like the good ole summertime.

OK, maybe I’m just mostly sick of gardening. I still go out every day and do a little bit here and there. I weed, and I throw down some seeds that have matured, like those from Verbena bonariensis and a few other plants I want to reseed.

This afternoon, I cut back all of my milkweed to grow new foliage for the Monarchs when they come through in September. I’ve never done that before, but that’s the newest recommendation, and who doesn’t like fresh food when they’re hungry?

I am bored with the weather and a bit cranky. Please forgive me. It’s hot.

So cranky and bored, I cleaned up the string algae in Bill’s fish pond, treated the water with barley extract, and fed the fish.

Then, I went out to the cutting garden, and things were a bit better. Because of the maple tree, I planted for Brennan when he was but a lad (he’s now 28), a lot of the cutting garden is in the shade in the morning. Not necessarily a bad thing except for the sunflowers. They stayed pretty small but still bloomed. I made a note to plant the seeds in the beds closest to the street so that they would receive full sun. I also thanked my lucky stars that Brennan’s tree didn’t burn. I don’t know why it didn’t. The fire raged all around it.

I looked over the zinnias. Two hummingbirds buzzed me. I saw a dragonfly and several butterflies. I did a little video for Instagram and felt a bit better.

Nature does have the power to heal even when the sun is trying to kill us.

I’m kidding. Sort of.

By the way, I’m speaking to the Tulsa Area Iris Society next Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. I promise to be in a better mood. A good time will be had by all. They have me down for May, but I promise I’m speaking next week.

I just thought I should check in. Unless you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, and I know many people don’t have social media anymore, you might wonder where I’ve been.

I’m still here. Just cranky and sweaty because it’s hot. How are things with you?