We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
August is a prime time for New England wildflowers. This little island in the stream has Joe Pye Weed, Goldenrod, Purple Loosestrife, and a white aster that I cannot identify. Plus some good-looking grasses.
Send me a close-up of the white aster, and I'll bet I can identify it . . . Or see for yourself in Newcomb's Wildflower Guide -- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316604429/102-1713600-0414534?v=glance&n=283155 -- that notes "there are about 60 species of asters [and 70 species of goldenrod!] in our area, of which the more representative are covered in this manual."