Wonder if she is a teenager like mine? If so, she is very, very tired. When did you last pet a snoozing bumblebee? Well, that's too long. Get out while it's cool and give one a little stroke. It will make you glad you woke up this morning. It will. Trust me.

Dear Carol, Mary Ann and everyone else, If you live in the continental U.S. (and not on the left or right coasts), I have two words for you, "Don't despair." I know, it's hot and not going to cool down anytime soon, but if we just hang in there for a month and a half, our world will be seasonable again. I hope. Hey, you there, on the greenhouse roof, don't jump! Everything will look brighter, 'er cooler in a week or so. In fact, next week is supposed to be in the low 90s. Mid-September, all this heat will be past, and we'll celebrate a second spring. Until then, just water the containers at least once a day, and perhaps move them (except for sedums and agave type plants) in a bit of shade. Keep the garden and grass watered too, and we'll meet back here later. I water...

"Where have you been," says 'Sophy's Rose' as I bend over her to drag out some weeds. I feel guilt wash over me. "I've been busy." I try not to look at her, but she clutches at me with her prickles so that I have to remove them one by one. Roses beckon with their beautiful faces, but they never want to let go. I continue weeding and try to ignore her. "It's been over two months since you've come by. You've been out with Susan again haven't you? Or, is it Becky this time?" I jump back in surprise and snag myself. Dang it. 'Sophy's Rose' is too smart for her own good. She's referring to Rudbeckia fulgia 'Goldsturm', black-eyed Susan. Becky is Leucanthemum × superbum 'Becky', a shasta daisy cultivar whose sunny personality helps carry the garden through the long, hot summer. "You think we don't see you,...

Chris is the winner. She is the lovely commenter who said she'd bought some for her mother, but would like a bar for herself. Congrats Chris. Now, something for the rest of us.