NJ Report.

9-10-15 SHORT HILLS: We’ve been back here for several days, but just today got back on line and got back telephone service. Comcast took five days to get our services restored. It seems obvious that they need more technicians and a higher level of customer care. I wonder if Verizon is any better?

There has been no rain here or in Vermont for about ten days, but today everybody gets well. It’s been raining on and off for since 2 AM.

I had a lunch in NYC with friends Roger, Paul, Alan, Alan and Mike yesterday.

In the yard I have been watering. The sprinkler system has been running, but six sprinkler heads were malfunctioning, and the system doesn’t cover the whole yard even when working properly. I fixed the defective heads, but this soaking rain is what the yard needs.

El Niño has returned. We expect a mild, dry winter, and California should get that rain it needs so dearly.

In bloom: hosta, rose of sharon, rose, plumbago, tutsan, butterfly bush, caryopteris, wild strawberry, lamium, hydrangea.


Caryopteris is a great fall bloomer, here being assisted by a friendly bee. It will flower until and into November.

Butterfly bush has been blooming all summer. There was a big yellow swallowtail butterfly here yesterday, but he refused to properly pose for the camera.

Roses have rebounded from the hard winter.

Plumbago is a pretty ground cover with late in the season, blue-gray flowers.