Midweek thunderstorms stayed to our north as this area received near-record highs and continued dry conditions. Flower beds needed biweekly irrigation, and large containers of annuals, ornamental plants, and tomatoes need water every other day.  Mayhaw fruit have been abundant this year.  Mulberries have been feeding cedar waxwings for several weeks.  Poppies planted along the roadside after construction finished struggled to sprout because of the untimely dry conditions that prevailed st the time.  Thursday’s storm brought relief with heavy rains at times.  More rain is expected early Saturday.