This area managed to scrape together 0.26" of precip over the week, mostly in dribbles and drabs.  Getting any substantial precip seemed like pulling teeth.  We almost had a good rain but not quite.  Anyhow, the soil is wet on the very surface thanks to the cool temps and lack of sunlight but deeper soil remains dry enough to continue with mildly dry conditions.  We did manage to have 3 consecutive days with a moderate to heavy deck of stratus clouds.  Pretty much the cloudiest stretch since early May.  Waterways continue to be low and flow slow with area ponds and lakes looking precariously low.  We could sure use a good soaking.  Trees are mostly bare along with most shrubs excluding the infamous Morrow's Honeysuckle of course, although even they are fading fast.  There's a chance for accumulating snows next weekend.  Only time will tell.  Been seeing geese often enough and the usual busy squirrels.  And the harmless but ever intruding boxelder bugs have been dogging me in the house lately.  If I didn't know better I'd say they were trying to be friends.  Now that's a step up, pet boxelder bugs.