Because it has been so rainy and gloomy, there have been endless days of no sunshine. Therefore, my solar panels are unable to keep up with my electrical demands. I received my first bill in some time as all the credit from the summer sun has been used.

For those of you who don’t know, most folks with panels are still hooked up to the grid. We lose power just like everyone else in a storm. I have done research concerning batteries but they are still very expensive and need to be housed.

I was fortunate to get into the SREC program ten years ago when I first got my panels.

Companies with a big carbon footprint go to an auction every three months and bid on my carbon offset. I receive a check four times a year from them. It has paid for over half the original cost.

That, plus the relative non-payment of an electric bill, makes solar a great investment not just personally but for the health of our planet.

I took a trip to a couple of job sites. In several beds, daylilies were already up about an inch — or should I say, could

have been an inch. Deer have nibbled them to the quick. I am irritated that I may have to consider spraying Bobex.

I was thinking that Bulb-tone may be the temporary solution. It smells bad and would benefit the plant as an added bonus.

Something needs to be done or else the deer will continue non-stop.

Another deer observation: they are having their way with Sweet William. This is particularly annoying since the plant is biennial and I’ve been waiting a year for some blooms.

I often say nature is grand but honestly sometimes she presents challenges that remove my ability to be a good sport.

I’m a terrible housekeeper. Every time I take on a cleaning project, I disrupt all the other rooms. I made a feeble attempt to find some order in the greenhouse. I’d like to be ready to seed some early vegetables like onions, leeks and spinach.

Various items have spilled all the way into living spaces and I’m in worse shape than when I started.

I see where Mike Pence also has some classified materials from his time as vice president. I feel the same about both him and Joe Biden. It is reckless and careless but not at all like the Donald Trump saga.

Neither vice president will obstruct justice, make up bogus defenses or play the victim.

Of course, Mike Pence is persona non grata in MAGA world; you know — failing to overturn the election on Jan. 6.

Don’t get me wrong. I disagree with him on almost everything but do appreciate that he did his constitutional duty that day.