A good soaking rain was the weather highlight of the week. Over about 30 hours 4.25" fell, making up some of the deficit we're experiencing. While it poured hard at times, most of it was a steady rain that soaked into the ground. Locations south had more serious flooding with too much coming too fast, but it worked out well in this little spot.
The storm pushed out the heat dome but it seems another is headed this way and will likely last most of the week. Hopefully we don't top 100° again. That's hard even for folks who love the heat. 
The rain brought lawns back to green and plants looking heat-stressed are looking better. Milkweed flowers in the pollenator garden have passed and seed pods are forming. Bees are finding other flowers now and a monarch butterfly has been visiting for several days. Or, perhaps there are several that have passed through over the past week or so. Goldenrod will start blooming next while buds in the Rose of Sharon are developing for later. Fireflies are around most days but their evening "light shows" are few and far between. There are still no night sounds from bugs. It's troubling. I hope it's just some cycle I don't know about and they'll eventually return. 
The critter scene has changed a bit too. Chipmunks are back while the number of rabbits and squirrels have dropped. The woodchuck seems to have found another place. Perhaps my few heirloom tomato plants will stand a better chance this year.
Another week of hot, hazy and humid weather coming. My rain barrels are full. It's July after all...