Oh lovely June, how could the days have slipped away so fast? The flowering trees and shrubs in so many yards, which seemed so lifeless, surprised us with their pinks and purples and whites and the surprisingly cooler days and nights, kept them blooming.

Unfortunately not all was well with some trees. The Green Ash, a staple of urban planting, has been attacked by a beetle and in many cases the trees have been cut down before dying. The American Beech is also in trouble and although we don’t see many, I notice them in the winter as they keep their leaves and to me, look like little ballerinas under the protection of taller leafless trees.

Alas more dreary news. Feeding Orioles and Hummingbirds has always been such a pleasure, but that miserable raccoon has put an end to that. Somehow she managed to climb up two shepherd’s crooks and remove the feeders, even carrying the Oriole feeder away and hiding it.

July will undoubtedly be hot, but for the time being I think our vegetable and fruit growers have had enough rain, although the early peach crop is doomed. This has not been a very cheerful letter but we are in much better shape than many others, like Georgia.

Sidney Tynan

Little Compton