With only a tenth of an inch of rain this month (0.09 on the 1st) we are surely into the dry season.  Lawns have lost most of their green, but trees and shrubs are quite green and look healthy, and the blackberry vines are growing rapidly.  It hasn't been really hot, dry, or windy so far.  Fire danger is probably low most of the day - moderate in the afternoon, likely.  The doe frequents our back yard.  She likes the hairy cats ears, Hypercharis radicata (very common weed), and has been going all across the lawn nipping off every blossom she finds.  She has a small fawn, but I've only seen it with her once.  The garden needs irrigation daily, but the soil is very workable, and plants are growing nicely.  Blueberries are coming into season a bit early, it seems, and blackberries are probably not far behind.  I've eaten my first ripe himalaya blackberries already, but by and large, the bushes are loaded with green ones.  The air here has been clean.  On the short stretch of road in front of our property - about 100 yards - we found a rabbit, western tanager, and fox squirrel - all evidently having died after being hit by a car.  It is rather unusual to find even 1 in a month, so 3 in a week is notable.  Not sure whether this is inexperienced youngsters, or creatures seeking a spot to get a drink, or what.  The creek is low, but has plenty good water.  Our solar cells have been outproducing our consumption for the past couple months, and we have a credit with the power company.  We see some people playing in the river when we cross the bridges, but as yet, the big crowds that show up during hot days haven't been there.  A nearby farmer has been running just 1 rotating sprinkler, with which it takes probably more than a week to water all his growing hay, but the hay looks nice and green.