Ready, Set, August!

Did you notice July flitting out the back door last night? She was hot and cranky, more than ready to hand the job over to August. She had arrived with fireworks and pie and hot summer nights, expecting beach towels, concerts, and lazy afternoons. Instead, she spent too much of her visit watching smoke rise on the horizon. By the end, she was simply exhausted. The earth is on fire and she wanted to get off the planet and find her place in some other universe for awhile. She had arrived with such enthusiasm, prepared to shine on beach excursions, picnics, music festivals, and a national birthday celebration. Sigh. Nothing quite went the way she’d planned and she was ready to put her feet up for another eleven months.

August, however, jumped through the front door, ready to bring kids to school again. It used to be that August got to bring the dog days, the slow, easy, long afternoons, the lounging in the pool days. But that was then and this is now. Times are different. Schools open earlier and August is forced to deal with Back to School sales, Back to School Nights, and back to school tears. He’s getting used to it. He does still get to bring out the naked lady flowers. He brings the best corn and watermelon of the year. His berry pies cannot be beaten.

August is confident and even a bit cocky. He knows he is the prelude to fall, but he will not be usurped by upcoming fall colors or midterm elections. He is happy to be himself and to offer the world beauty and hope. I think we can use both. Are you ready for his presence?