Three-quarter of an inch of rain in a wondrous thunderstorm this morning (Wednesday) started the day off right here at Red Oak House. For the second day in a row, it will be cool enough for us to leave the windows open all day.

Vegetable harvest has begun in earnest and Jim has frozen many bags already.

Second harvest of broccoli.

The bean processing station.

Bloody Butcher heirloom tomato.

Last night, we had what we call “nothing from the store supper.” The first new potatoes, beans, broccoli and walleye. Who needs a restaurant?

As you can see from the plate above, we’ve begun to eat our heirloom tomatoes. These are bloody butchers. The jungle promises much more tomato bliss to come.

Healthy tomato patch.

These peas are going to be so yummy with butter.

Other blooming plants make our garden a real oasis of tranquility in the midst of a bustling city.

Yellow Titan Daylily.

Gold Drop Hosta.

Little Rocket Ligularia.

Good old Petunias.

More good old Petunias.

Salvia I started from seed this winter. Bring on the hummingbirds.

Rosy Returns Daylily (“returns” because it is a rebloomer).

Ice Carnival Daylily.

Aglow Daylily.

Strawberry Candy Daylily.

Prairie Moonlight Daylily.

Barbara Mitchell Daylily.

Paha Sapa Thundercloud.

The Red Oak tree has begun to drop acorns, littering the driveway with crunchy nuggets.

Blue Cadet Hosta.

A sweet Begonia that was a gift from a friend.

Impatiens are finally blooming.

On a different note, this song I’ve been listening to on Jackson Browne Solo Acoustic is running through my head:

“Everyman”:

Everybody I talk to is ready to leave

With the light of the morning

They’ve seen the end coming down

Long enough to believe

That they’ve heard their last warning

Standing alone

Each has his own ticket in his hand

And as the evening descends

I sit thinking ’bout Everyman

Seems like I’ve always been

Looking for some other place

To get it together

Where with a few of my friends

I could give up the race

And maybe find something better

But all my fine dreams

Well thought out schemes

To gain the motherland

Have all eventually come down

To waiting for Everyman

Waiting here for Everyman

Make it on your own if you think you can

If you see somewhere to go I understand

Waiting here for Everyman

Don’t ask me if he’ll show, baby I don’t know

In different lighting, Wide Wide World daylily, shows off different hues so why not one more photo? It’s my blog after all.

The first Wide Wide World daylily blooms of the season, taken in twilight.

Time for Manhattans in the shade of the front patio.  Cheers!

Jim is enjoying the round ice cubes molds the girls gave him for Father’s Day.