No doubt, the canicular, blast furnace, scorching, dog days of summer have arrived, starting almost a week earlier than the official date of July 3.  Fortunately temps have moderated as of Thursday night and just maybe the soil moistens up and the mosquitoes disappear.  One can dream.  Rain for the week, that repeatedly skirted this area, totaled 0.20", resulting in mildly dry soil conditions for the time being.  Local waterways are doing ok, being near their normal levels.  Trees are looking pretty good considering the hot and windy days we just endured. And lawns are hanging in there so far.  Saw a doe deer with two little ones the other day and other than the random droppings on my driveway, wildlife has been kind of subdued.  Our two resident turkeys have lost a couple poults since last week but the remaining ones are getting bigger and will probably be able to stay out of harms way.  The phoebe nest near our porch ceiling now has chicks that were feeling the recent heat as they continue to grow.  And finally, about those mosquitoes.  They have returned in force and are abundant, tenacious, relentless and everywhere, even during mid day, sometimes in my garage, forcing me into retreat mode.  Haven't seen them this thick for a while.  With any luck the dragon flies will show up and take a bite out of their numbers.