Summer is slipping away. No doubt there will be more warm days, but this past week has been sweater weather with rain.  Four days of measurable rain plus a Trace totalled 0.82", and it was the slow steady rain that soaks into the soil. It continues to help lower the drought conditions.
Plants are still providing their "goodies". Tomatoes that I planted late are promising, one tomato is ripening. The second wave of goldenrod are in full bloom in the pollenator garden. There seem to be fewer varieties of bees now, but the bumblebees are taking advantage of the goldenrod and Rose of Sharon blossoms. 
Unfortunately, a new insect invasion has hit the neighborhood - the spotted lantern fly. I've seen four this week and neighbors have seen them as well. We are advised to kill them if we can but that's easier said than done - they're fast! We have at least one ally though, as I was starting to clear away some spider webs outside I noticed one spider doing its thing - the lantern fly didn't stand I chance. I'll leave the spider webs right where they are. Published literature about this invasive insect suggests it is another threat to the trees. Fall foliage is a very important part of New England's resources but not the only benefit the trees provide. It's troublesome...
Daylight is getting shorter, temps are getting cooler, autumn is starting to settle in. Happy Labor Day.