Not much rain this week, just one day with 0.57" and another day with a trace. This morning (catch will be counted next week) it is raining steadily but not so hard that it runs off. This rain seems to be soaking in. Slowly but surely, we seem to be making a dent in our dry to drought conditions in the state.
Our area has been in "dry" conditions so there doesn't seem to be a big effect on plant development. Trees are fully foliated now, even the later shrubs (Rose of Sharon) are sprouting leaves this week. Azaleas and rhododendron are in full bloom, goldenrod and milkweed are growing well. 
I have been holding off on mowing the lawn (No Mow May) but I'm not sure I can make it to the end of the month, the grass is getting pretty tall. Yet to watch the little birds, their activity shows it is not wasted - the messy areas are like their local hardware store. They're in it most days, foraging around for nesting materials first; these days they seem to be finding lots of edible delights. Some of the birds and carpenter bees fight each other over the territory. However, in the human world, if I don't get to it soon it will be too much for the lawnmower. I plan to leave the spot where the fireflies live undisturbed. Seems a good compromise.
A peaceful Memorial Day to everyone, especially the families who have lost a member in defense of the country. A thank you just isn't enough...