delphiniumThe sun rose this morning at 5:06 am, and will set 17 hours and almost 40 minutes later, at 10:45 this evening. We’re still losing a little more than 6 minutes a day, but the noon altitude is starting to decline faster – it will be down below 42° today. Civil twilight (sun more than 6° below the horizon) has been back for about a week, though we still have no nautical twilight.

It’s been a warm summer after our cold spring, and while not a record, so far we’re in second place to 2004. We have, however, set a new record for the number of days with temperatures of 80°F or warmer during the summer: 31 as of Thursday, August 1. Friday and Saturday were also above 80°, though it now appears to be cooling off with some showers expected. I hope so; things badly need water and I’m not going to be feeling up to watering for the next few days. In spite of the heat, blooming is behind last year; none of the lilies have opened yet and the delphiniums are just coming into full bloom.

ADA kerchief

ADA kerchief

My favorite (though very old) gardening hat

My favorite (though very old) gardening hat

This one was purchased for a boating trip. Looks nice, but not as comfortable.

This one was purchased for a boating trip. Looks nice, but not as comfortable.

The pre-meds knocked me out when I intended to try wigs while in for chemo Friday, so I don’t have any pictures of wigs. I am including a few with the head coverings I have, and one of me au natural

Current appearance without head covering.

Current appearance without head covering.

(though I expect it will be very temporary, both in terms of what hair I have left right now and of the overall loss.) It might even come back curly.