Fortunately, at least the Gladioli and Hollyhocks were still in bloom and in good condition on 26 August 2015, when I called in briefly at the Reader Rock Garden after an afternoon volunteer shift. Most of the flowers had finished for the season and many of the ones that did still exist were past their prime. Still managed to get a few photos, though, including this vibrant, daisy-like flower. I know so little about garden flowers, so if you know what kind of flower this is, I would love to know.

I wasn't sure whether I should go there or not that day, as the air quality had been very poor for a number of days, due to smoke blowing across from the devastating forest fires in Washington State, northwest US. Fortunately, the rain that had been falling for a few days helped the firefighters fight the flames.

It's an overcast, dreary morning here, with a temperature of -1C (windchill -5C). The sun is supposed to come out this afternoon, along with cloudiness.