by Joanne Rock
I used to love the month of August. As a child, it felt like such a long month of endless summer days, each one bluer and hotter than the next. It was a month of wildflowers and cicadas, ripe tomatoes and sweet corn. I hoped for an invitation to my cousin's swimming pool, eager for the chance to spend some of the hot month splashing and squealing in the cool water.
Even as a teen, August could be counted on for a good time. As a northern girl, August was still a summer month, with school never starting until after Labor Day. I could drive up to an Adirondack lake with friends, picnic late into evenings on long summer days when the light lingered until 9 o'clock.Oh, August, how you've changed.
As the parent of a school who attends school in the southern U.S., my whole year is recalibrated. For a few more years at least, August and I are not on speaking terms. School begins now in August. Early August. The unfairness of it all!
Even when I lived up north, September and I got along okay. It's my birthday month, for one thing, and that helps. But as the weather started to cool and I started to feel ready to return to work, I didn't mind when a big yellow school bus carted off my noisy crew.
These days, as my sons are older and all but one is off to college or beyond, I'm really not inclined to give up any time with my youngest. School doesn't deserve him. He's charming and entertaining and I like him under my roof. There's no big yellow school bus anymore, but a sporty silver car he drives himself. I have to peel myself away from the window when he pulls out of the driveway. I miss him.
I guess I miss a time I won't have back again, and school in August is a reminder of things that I miss. Maybe, once my youngest is off to college and my life grows quieter again, I'll find my way back to the month of wildflowers and cicadas, ripe tomatoes and sweet corn. I'll read books on endless summer days and enjoy the lingering heat.For now, however, I refuse to think about back to school or back to work or anything else that involves too much effort in August. In my heart, I'm still waiting on that invitation to my cousin's pool...
**What does August mean to you? Back to school? The arrival of local sweet corn? Catch me up on what you think of when you turn that calendar page and I'll give one random poster a copy of my September release, Whispers Under a Southern Sky, book #4 in my Heartache, TN series for Harlequin Superromance!
19 comments:
August is road trip and back to school time with my daughter. We are taking extended time this year as a family to hit some tourist spots across the country on the way to take our daughter back for her Junior year at university in Tennessee. Leaving her with her vehicle then flying home. Should be fun, but is is always bittersweet leaving her there.
Ah August... My kids are adults now, so there's no back to school thoughts for me with them..
Having just spent the month of July this year, celebrating my milestone birthday of turning 60... (Yikes)... This year it's just been hard to wrap my head around that! I wasn't concerned with that age until June when my oldest grandson turned 18 (what??) that kinda threw me for a loop!! And he has the cutest girlfriend.. (Aren't they way too young??)
And now... Here comes August... My youngest grandson is turning 15... I thought it was 14... But no... 15.... Where does the time go?? He's (high functioning) Autistic... And the joy of my life!... He will start 7th grade this year...
And my oldest grandson starts his Senior year!
August... Another milestone in life!
I'm just so thankful to have these two grandsons... For many years I thought having my kids was the best thing ever... But now... I know for a fact... It's the grandkids! And nothing is better than celebrating birthdays with them, and spending August getting them ready for back to school...
for me it means the car shows are going to be coming to an end.... and it means the fairs will be happening.....lol.....
August means catch-up time. Between April and July, I participate in numerous competitive badminton tournaments and regular nights of play, I am a huge contributor towards speeches and prizes at our annual banquet, my income taxes take forever to do by myself since I too am self-employed, I organize our street to host yard sales on the same day every year and have participated for 29 years straight so far, I have my sister and her husband visit every summer for about 5 weeks at a time including a 1-week trip away with them, I host an annual potluck party for up to 75 people, we celebrate several birthdays and anniversaries (including our 35th this month), and I'm tired by the time August rolls around. I often read more, sort things for next year's yard sale, touch-up paint around the house, work on the never-ending mending pile, and try to scrapbook as much as possible. Funny how you don't think you are that busy but when you start listing it, it certainly sounds like a lot more!
Doug and I are having our wedding anniversary on the second. We are planning on dinner someplace special. It's also Doug's birthday month,the 21st. It puts me closer to my trip to Tampa in October when my baby gets married. I'm planning on lots of activities while there. The bay, museum, aquarium, big cat rescue, spending time with my grand kitty. I can't wait!
In August our 2 Grandsons have Birthdays on the 18th & 26th. My Husband is dealing with Stage 4 Cancer & we will not be able to go to there party, so they are bringing the party to our house to celebrate. The party will consist of my Son, Daughter-in-Law & 2 Grandsons & me & my husband. We will have cake & ice cream, present galore & we will make home made pizzas for all to enjoy. Thanks for this oh so generous giveaway. Linda May
August means another birthday coming around and turning 67. Hot weather but at least I have good books to read. Love reading.
August means 150% humidity and the height of hurricane season (you know what I'm talking about)! The days that I would head back to the classroom before I retired. Now, August includes the birthdays of two grandsons and a great-granddaughter, all of whom live over 1000 miles away.
August to me means my daughter turning 21! Wow!! Kinda scary!!
Thanks for offering this giveaway!! lindaherold999@gmail.com
August means more hot weather, more grass to mow. Muscadines will be ripening soon! Watch out for school buses when driving.
August means something different to me now. My daughter is in college, so now August means getting things ready for the semester. I actually LOVED getting things ready for her when she was in school...I have a love affair with school supplies, pens, pencils, etc. NOW, I just tag along behind her while she collects her things to take back to college. Kind of sad, but I am also proud of the young woman she has become! I am also a substitute teacher, so August means gearing up for school to start for that reason, too!
August means more hot weather. spending time with family and friends.Thank you for the opportunity to win.
State Fair time, HOT dog days of summer and School buses on the roads again, leaving early for work to miss them!!
My birthday is August 16 (yay me!).
August is back to school time, so that means getting my son ready. In the midst of that, it also means extra time spent at work. I work at an eyeglass retailer/ optometrist office so we're extra busy the month of July and August. School starts here on August 10th, so after that I'll have to be leaving my house for work extra early to try to avoid the buses. :)
August is my daughter's birthday month. We basically celebrate all month. It's loads of fun. Lots of little surprises & treats along the way.
I love August in Italy because of Ferragosto/Assumption day (August 15) which marks the start of Italy's vacation period. Many businesses, restaurants and shops are closed for 2-3 weeks. Of course, it can be an inconvenience if, for example, you have to cut your hair but your favourite hairdresses is closed, but other that that it's geat and quite relaxing even if you decide to stay home instead of heading for the coast as everyone does.
Laney, you are a force of nature!! I'd like to borrow your organizational skills (and energy!) for a week or two, please ;-)
Vickie, you are too young to have an eighteen year old grandson! I don't care what the calendar says. Enjoy the birthdays and I'm so glad you are able to spend time watching those grandkids grow up. What a happy blessing.
Nataljia--I'd like to import this holiday in all its Italian glory. Why don't we have the kind of culture that closes the stores down for weeks? It sounds so wonderful.
Congratulations!!! Jamie Gillespie, I have a book for you! If you email me at jrock008@gmail.com I will put this in the mail for you ASAP.
Thank you so much to everyone who visited and shared their August agendas with me. It's going to be a good month, I'm convinced!
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