The new week started out with a bang on Saturday morning with the passing of a strong thunderstorm ahead of a cold front.  Flash flood warnings were posted.  Two separate downpours, each 0.58”, brought some relief from a lack of significant rainfall in a month.  Soil moisture was good, and the ground was firm to walk on. Lawn grasses are dormant except for my front yard, which was renovated last summer, has weeds, and Bermuda grass growing. Road construction is at a non-weather-related stoppage.   American goldfinches are arriving at the feeder in larger numbers but show only a tinge of color.  Japanese magnolias are beginning to flower as well as loropetalum, cats claw vine, Japanese plum, camellias, and mayhaw trees.