Now is that annual drought which is always spoken of as something unprecedented

July 7.

Very dry weather.

Every traveller, horse, and cow raises a cloud of dust. It streams off from their feet, white and definite in its outline, like the steam from a locomotive. Those who walk behind a flock of sheep must suffer martyrdom.

Now is that annual drought which is always spoken of as something unprecedented and out of the common course.

Is that a utricularia which fills the water at the north end of Beck Stow's? 

Sarsaparilla berries are ripe.

Paddled up the river this evening.

It is remarkable that, in pushing a boat up a river with a sandy bottom, the sound of the oar on the sand should be communicated so distinctly through the oar to the air. It is perhaps as distinct as if no water intervened.

We have cool nights now after warm days, — cooler than in June. You cannot safely wear your thin coat into evening outdoors.

The Asclepias incarnata, or water asclepias now. 

H. D. Thoreau, Journal, July 7, 1853

Now is that annual drought which is always spoken of as something unprecedented. See  June 18, 1854 ("Every year men talk about the dry weather which has now begun as if it were something new and not to be expected."); July 24, 1854 ("A decided rain-storm to-day and yesterday, such as we have not had certainly since May.")

Sarsaparilla berries are ripe. See July 19, 1856 (“On Linnaea Hills, sarsaparilla berries.”)

The Asclepias incarnata, or water asclepias now.See July 15, 1854 (“There are many butterflies, yellow and red, about the Asclepias incarnata now.”)