Most of the showers and storms forecast for last week bypassed us leaving us with less than a half inch of rain for the week. August ends with just over half of our normal rainfall. But you would never know that by looking around. Vegetation growth remains vigorous with no sign of water stress. Lawns remain green and lush, and require mowing every five days; unusual for the end of August. Garden soil retains good moisture and good vegetable production continues. My pond remains full. Leaf litter on the forrest floor remains damp and continues to sprout mushrooms.  Bassett Brook and Hoosic flow levels have dropped to the point where the spillway on the old mill dam at Cheshire Harbor has dry sections. But puddles still remain in potholes in dirt and paved parking areas. Hiking and biking trails on Mt Greylock remain mostly dry with the usual damp sections. The red maples along the bike path by Cheshire Lake have begun to change color.