California lays claim to about 48 tick species, most that don't cause humans problems. However, one species is now creating a surge of Lyme Disease along the coastal areas. A tiny sesame-seed-sized insect, the Western black-legged tick is the culprit.
I don't know how many of you take the Daily Republic, but my mom and I still do. In a Friday issue before Mothers' Day, there was an article about a newer variety of Monarda that looked like lacy flowers.
I recently took some time to relax near our Salvia garden, which comprises Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans), Heatwave Glimmer Sage (Salvia microphylla), Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii), and Purple Sage (Salvia leucophylla).
When I initially read the itinerary for the Inside Passage, Southeast Alaska cruise I was especially interested in the hike to an Alaskan bog, or muskeg. That certainly sounded unique. Well, of course, our June 2020 cruise never happened.
Before we get started on our August gardening, I'm curious where that saying, Dog Days of Summer comes from. Sohere it is: The Romans started it all by using the term during the hottest, most humid time of summer.
