August

Not my favorite month, yet one to settle in, even after months of pandemic. For the Gulf Coast , August says one has almost survived the summer. Though you know some some heat has the possibility of lingering even through October, in moments there may be a cooler breeze, less humidity, even a morning temperature of 70. August has had a bounced around life. It began as month 6 with 30 days. A calendar change promoted it to number 8 with two extra days. Then it received its august name in honor of Augustus Caesar to affirm the winning of the battle with Egypt. Was Cleopatra ever a possibility?

Families begin changing routines. Even though the major vacation activity is probably over, a last trip may be planned for Labor Day. Camps were usually in late June and part of July. Depending on skill of participants, summer sports are winding down. School, with shopping for supplies and clothes, looms on the horizon.

No holiday are on the calendar in August. According to a WSJ article, several surprises have happened. The first baseball game in color was broadcast to the maybe 100 color sets owned at that time. Russian soldiers strung 97 miles of barbed and added concrete to create the Berlin Wall. Today you might want to be thankful that the first ever website was published along with information about the World Wide Web. If you read this today, then tomorrow you can go to www something to celebrate.

Often just a phrase sticks from an almost forgotten book. Tuck Everlasting is remembered by me only for this paragraph.
“The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris Wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before it are only a climb from a balmy spring, and those that follow, a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless and hot.”

Make of this month what you will. Do give it some respect. To reach this month is a gift.

You crown the year with your goodness.

Psalm 65:11