I'm a big fan of bad weather. Monday morning's unexpected rain gave me a much-deserved day off.

I'm willfully guillible. When told something that either interests or tickles me, I tend to repeat it as gospel. To wit: years ago, I was told that when more than half the cows in a field are lying down, it is likely to rain.

For the past week, several days had skies filled with very interesting thunderheads. Sadly, they produced no rain to speak of.

I was once again all set to complain about the high humidity leading to miserable outdoor work conditions. Then there was an article in The New York Times on Tuesday about the Bootleg wildfire in Oregon. It is so large that it is creating its own weather.

Violet and her friend Cesca went out to western Massachusetts last week for their fist camping trip without family. The first and only night in the tent saw four inches of rain and lightning.

The Fourth of July weather was exactly what I like. However, I do feel for the vacationers and would-be barbequers.

It's been a few hot and miserable days for us outdoor workers. However, I am trying to put it all in perspective.

I know I mentioned Kousa dogwoods last week but it bears repeating as there is another beauty, both pink and white, at the bottom of the hill at Abel's Hill Cemetery.

That was a pretty impressive rain shower on Tuesday afternoon. I was driving at the time and my wipers did not move fast enough.

The end of last week delivered some of my favorite spring weather — cool, rainy and foggy.