I worked in the front garden this morning early. It is blessedly cool today with cloud cover. Earlier this week it was in the high 90s, the sun was punishing, and I quit my gardening attempts. Sweat in the eyes, clothes drenched after 10 minutes. I cannot imagine being a farm laborer working in such conditions all day. Why on earth deport people who willingly do such difficult work? At any rate, the garden is my refuge from the constant barrage of disheartening news about our lack of humanity and humility. I am heartened to see that my efforts to help our native bees and other pollinators by planting native plants has seen more success this year than last when I was alarmed by the lack of native bees. The spring was very wet and relatively cool, plant growth was phenomenal, and the sun-loving plants we’ve planted since our big maple tree in front was destroyed in a storm are doing well. Now summer is here, though, and the spigot is off. I’ve designated the hottest, most sun-exposed part of the garden as a test area for xeriscaping with plants that don’t need much water.