The morning began with the cheerful warbling of the house wren, perched on the porch railing outside my bedroom window. The little fellow and his lady nested nearby, their wooden box sheltered by the sturdy windbreak evergreens.

Later in the day, we were treated to a marvelous display by the tree swallows. Their fledglings had left the nest, but weren't quite ready to be on their own. They perched bravely on the edge of our two story roof, while mom and dad worked to bring them tasty morsels. Soon, they'd be independent, yet ready to gather with the flock for the long migration south.

This week was baking hot, and then flipped over to skies filled with smoke. I'm mildly asthmatic, so this was a rough one for me. The wildfire smoke was so heavy at times that it looked more like fog, but one breath outside would tell you otherwise. I've been wearing a dampened mask outside to help block some of the particles. I pray for the folks in the paths of these infernos, and for those like the folks in Upper Michigan dealing ash fall so heavy it looks like a blizzard outside.

We've been doing extra checks on the flocks (wild ones included), making sure they have plenty of clean drinking water throughout the day. The bees are clearly stressed, hunkering down to ride this out, it seems.

On a related note, if you're in an area with ash haze and you see your garden plants looking like they're wilting, don't water them in the middle of the day just because there's very little sunlight. Odds are that the plants are closing their pores to block out some of the soot. Stick to watering earlier in the morning, when they would naturally open their pores to collect morning dew.

Our dry conditions continue, so we've been watering most mornings, working our way through the different part of the garden and other plantings. Most of the annual gardens are heavily mulched, which helps buffer the lack of rain.

This Week's Resilience & Abundance Boost

• Check on the vulnerable. Whether it's a neighbor, an elderly relative, your pets, pollinators, or garden plants, extreme weather reminds us that a little extra care goes a long way.
• Work with nature's rhythms. Water in the cool of the morning, rest during the hottest part of the day, and adjust your schedule when conditions call for it.
• Protect your health, too. Keep water close at hand, seek clean air when possible, and don't feel guilty about slowing down when your body needs it.
• Build resilience before it's urgent. Mulch the garden, keep extra water available, and think through how you'll respond before the next heat wave, smoke event, or storm arrives.
• Look for signs of hope. Young birds learning to fly, bees waiting out the heat, and gardens that bounce back after rain are reminders that living things are remarkably resilient.

Resilience isn't about pretending difficult seasons don't exist. It's about meeting them with preparation, compassion, and the quiet confidence that comes from caring well for what has been entrusted to us.

All our best to you and yours,

Laurie (and August IV, August V, and Duncan)

Making the Most of the Season

Summer is generous, but it certainly keeps us on our toes. One day you're trying to keep up with watering the garden, the next you're wondering why your tomatoes aren't cooperating or what to do with another armload of zucchini. And, of course, life has a way of throwing us surprises that have nothing to do with the garden at all.

This week's articles are all about tackling those seasonal challenges with a little practical know-how, so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying the best parts of summer.

When an upset stomach strikes

With gastrointestinal illnesses making the rounds this summer, it's helpful to know what you can do at home, when it's time to seek medical care, and how to stay hydrated while your body recovers. My guide covers common causes of diarrhea, home remedies that may help, and warning signs you shouldn't ignore.

Read: How to Stop Diarrhea Naturally​

Black spots on your tomatoes?

If you've discovered tomatoes with dark, sunken patches on the blossom end, don't panic—you can usually prevent future fruit from developing the same problem. Learn what really causes blossom end rot, why calcium isn't always the answer, and what you can do to help your plants produce healthy tomatoes.

Read: Blossom End Rot – Causes, Prevention, and Treatment​

Put that zucchini to good use

If your zucchini plants have shifted into high gear, here's one of my favorite ways to enjoy the harvest. This moist, flavorful zucchini bread is easy to make, freezes beautifully, and has converted more than a few people who claimed they didn't like zucchini.

Read: Mom's Best Zucchini Bread​

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