The U.S. Drought Monitor continues to rate my station area as Moderate Drought. I am changing my condition scale bar to Moderately Dry. This week my gauge recorded a total of 0.55 inches of rain - but with only 1.43 inches for the entire month, the dry conditions are intensifying. Water restrictions remain in place in surrounding communities, the soil is dry, raised beds and flower pots need to be watered every other day. A  local nursery sent an advisory to water trees and shrubs to get them through this dry period. Brown leaves are falling from trees and grass is browning out. Newspapers and tv stations are advising not to burn or start fires because of the dry conditions and wind.