The top 1.5 inches of bare soil is entirely dry, as might be expected from the heat and plant moisture extraction at this time of year.  Still, we could use the rain, as the big thunderstorms of a couple of days back missed us.  Thunderstormspassing W to E over us typically hit what I call the “Gobi Bubble”, a patch of hot dry air over SE CT, and they dissipate.  Such was the case last Wednesday evening. We could use a good soaking.