
Dry is still the theme in my photos for the monthly photo challenge hosted by Cardinal Guzman. Last month I posted for June and called it “Dry June.” Since I am so clever and it is still dry, and it rhymes with July, there you have the title of this post. Not a lot of photos to post this month from my yard.

Not sure what else to say other than it is still dry, California is breaking heat records and nearly everyone’s front yards are very dry. Sadly, I see too many neighbors’ yards with dead or dying trees. Here in the Sacramento Valley, the trees shade the houses and keep other costs down.
I have heard many people and other bloggers talking about how residential yard watering uses a small percentage of the water. Big business and agriculture use the most. It is a very political hot potato. Still hoping for El Nino to rain on us this winter!
My hope is simply that during these times of drought, people will learn good water use habits. I know I am much better at turning off the water when brushing my teeth, doing dishes, etc. I set the timer when I turn on the drip hose on the cypress trees. I watered a small patch of grass in our back yard and was amazed at how one 15-minute watering greened up the grass. We placed a five-gallon bucket in the shower to capture water from our short showers. I use the gray water for the flowers and around the trees. Am I saving that much water? My water bill compared to last summer has dropped dramatically, from over $80 per month (in summers) to less than $30.
The next dramatic change to my Chinese Maple tree will be in October. I expect it will continue to stay green. Meanwhile I will focus on some of the summer plants I am trying to plant. Keep your eye on the big pot on the left. I just planted marigolds. They love the summer heat. By August’s post there should be some orange flowers to see! Here is a gallery of the maple tree from each month since January.
Being water wise is very important! Such an important resource that so many of us have taken for granted for too long.
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It has definitely made me more aware and changed my water wasting habits!
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Your water saving tips are good. Hopefully others will learn from you. And hopefully it’ll rain a lot when the winter comes.
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Thank you, I sure hope so!
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We are pretty dry here in North Carolina too. Not like you, but everyday with no much needed rain is a another day closer to dead grass. We seeded, had bright green, soft grass in May and now it feels like straw, looks dead and hurts the feet. I like the idea of the water bucket in the shower. So going to have to do that, at least then I can water my plants outdoors. Great idea.
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Surprising to hear, Michelle! Don’t get a bucket bigger than 5 gallons or you may hurt your back 🙂 My plants don’t seem to mind a little soap in their water!
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I enjoyed this post Terri and looking back over the progression of your maple as the seasons change. I had to laugh when I read your title. Not sure if you have it there but we have Dry July here in Australia where people abstain from drinking alcohol for the month of July to support adults living with cancer – you get sponsored for doing it. Some people have started doing it just to be healthier for a month 😉
We are a nation of water conservationists too now since we have had water restrictions in place for many years to cope with drought and dropping water levels in our dams. We seem to be a lot better off these days but still, every little bit saved counts!
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Oh how funny…hopefully I haven’t inadvertently offended anyone!! So much for my “dry” sense of humor! I could probably repost these same photos for August because it will look the same. By October the little maple starts to put on the Autumn show 🙂 California could learn a lot from our Australian friends about water conservation!
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No no, no offense here. It’s become an amusing little cause actually. Yes maybe we could collaborate on a conservation plan!!
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I recognize that dried up plant! I’ve had one or two myself.
Melinda
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If only everyone would conserve water as you are doing. There is no shortage of water here- it seems to rain a couple of inches every few days. It is unusually green and lovely here for this time in July. My backyard looks like a rainforest!
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Ooohh, jealous! Hope you are not experiencing any flash floods.
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Terri, I swear that I am so much more mindful of my own water consumption since reading your posts and hearing more and more about the drought out West. I’ve adopted shorter showers and less time washing dishes! A pass with the soapy sponge and a quick rinse is good enough…I am with you all in spirit in water conservation…and yes, here’s to more rain come winter in CA!
Much love,
*Lia
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That’s great, Lia! Glad the drought can effect water conservation all the way in NYC! It’s another hot one here today! I might have to ask you to send me a soapy sponge soon, LOL!!
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I’d do anything for you:)))
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Oh, Terri, I know it’s dry, but I do so miss living in Monterey. It must be as close to heaven as God could create on earth. My flowers were beautiful all year long and I loved Highway 1! So jealous of you and your Chinese Maple!
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Monterey IS beautiful! The maple is managing fine in this drought, like most trees 🙂
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It’s close but Hawaii is closer. 😀
/hugs (just had to say it) Aloha….
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During the last El Nino (in 1997/1998), we were in the middle of a major remodel and our roof wasn’t finished. We had rivers of water entering our house. We’ll be nice and tight this year, so I say, “bring it on”!
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From your mouth to God’s ears–whisper though, because we start our master bedroom remodel August 1st 🙂 El Nino may have to hold off until December, LOL!
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Just make sure your crew has a lot of tarps! They are saying the major rain will probably occur in 2016, so hopefully you’ll be OK!
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Flush an ice cube down the toilet and sleep with your pajamas inside out. That’s what we do to bring on snow storms. Maybe it will work for rain, too? 😀
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Hahaha! I shall try that! I thought about washing my car, too, because that always does the trick…not this time 🙂
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Sad 😦
That drought is killing one of the prettiest states I’ve visited. I will do a rain dance and pray it ends soon.
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That rain dance will come in handy and be most welcomed!
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The potted plant photo is so nicely composed and so very sympolic of the weather you’ve been having. I hope you get some rain soon out in Cali!
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Thanks, Britta!
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