A half inch of rain this week was sufficient to keep the late summer vegetation healthy and growing. Lawns remain green with vigorous growth. Garden soil remains moist. Flow levels in Bassett Brook and the Hoosic River have dropped to somewhat below normal levels, but my pond remains full. Hiking and biking trails on Mt Greylock are mostly dry. Squirrels have begun harvesting cones from the spruce trees and the bears are feeding on wild blackberries.