Oh, my! My invisible skunk and your disappearing bat! And in both cases, it's possible to encounter a rabid one, so care is necessary.

Though patty and I already live in hot climates, it looks like much of the nation is getting to share the wealth this week. The summertime routine of parking in the shade is in full-swing; it may mean you walk farther to the store or business, but you don't bake in the car when you get back to it.

Four more pints of fresh pickles bottled this afternoon. I get a haircut tomorrow and will take eggplant and cucumbers to my hairdresser (she in particular adores grilled eggplant). There is a cardboard flat (that held 35 cans of Costco's sparkling water) with a half-dozen tomatoes finishing ripening and a whole bunch in the yard that are just about to shift into the picking stage. Once there is a rosy glow on the flower end of the fruit they will fully ripen indoors (without the assaults by squirrels, birds, rats, etc.)

I have to tend the various water features in the yard; the wading pool in front, the bird baths, and in the back I set up a smaller galvanized tub but realize why I stopped using it before, there is a film that forms from the coating on the tub. And I need to run the sprinkler in the back so the dogs have some green (not straw) grass to run around on. Time to get out the tractor sprinkler.