...except for the odd pile of hailstones in shady places. And, reportedly, almost back to bare ice. I predict we will be sailing Sunday.

Gutters de-clogged today. And were they ever clogged—mostly leaves from Vi's big Bradford pear which doesn't lose its leaves until December. But also birch, oak, and maple; along with thick bundles of red pine needles.

I have a certain fondness for gutter photos, because, if I remember rightly, a gutter photo graced my first ever blog post.

And, speaking of gutters, they feature in two sights I find less than appealing—one, rain running down a roof and sloshing over the gutter as if it wasn't there; and two, eavestroughs festooned with luxuriant verdure—forbs, grasses, and saplings more appropriately found either on the prairie or in a deep, dark wood.