Time Leaves Its Fingerprints In Rust

My old Kenmore Elite washing machine has seen better days, wouldn't you agree?!

The old gal is literally rotting away on me, geesh.

However, she still has some life left in her and continues to launder like a champ!

Franklin water is VERY harsh and has done a number of my sink faucets and tub fixtures, so no surprise it's beating up the washer too.  Of course, they don't make appliances, or anything really, these days that last.

I have my fingers AND toes crossed that she continues with my garment care...

Milkweed Pods A Plenty

I had oodles of milkweed this summer, with many of them growing in the flower beds within the pool area.  These plants did very well, got very big and have big seed pods, as they're big fans of direct sun.

I took the below pics a couple weeks ago.  These same seed pods have now begun to dry and crack open and will soon be blowing their seeds all over!

It would also appear that once milkweed gets established in an area they spread and sprout new plants via their roots too, not just the seeds they'll soon be sowing.

Frustratingly and sadly, I did NOT spot a single Monarch caterpillar on any of my milkweed plants.  Nor did I see any on the milkweeds plants I've passed on my walks or when out delivering mail, alas.

And I only saw a handful of adult Monarch butterflies visiting the flowers in my yard this summer.

But then again, as I've been saying, it's been a weird summer in general for plants and animals, from my perspective anyway.