, it would most certainly be the month of August! Mention the eighth month of the year and my mind forms a collage of hot asphalt, scorching leather car seats, dried-up plants, and spastic grasshoppers. Too many 90-degree days and my winter soul just shrivels.
My mama loved the heat, though. She would never admit that a day was too hot to be outside. She’d mow the yard in midafternoon when the sun’s rays were most sizzling, and work in the garden when the soil was so cracked that the weeds just snapped off in her hand. Although I’m honored that we are alike in many ways, we certainly didn’t share a love of late summer weather.
Our garden is also feeling the sweltering temperatures of August. The cucumbers gave up the ghost a while back, and the peppers seem to be questioning the wisdom of continuing to grow in such conditions. The corn looks nice, though. Its taller than I’ve seen it in a long while. And while there is a healthy crop of Japanese Beetles on our grapevine, they seem to have steered clear of the rest of the garden. Since I never quite know what to do with grapes anyway, I suppose it’s a fair trade.
Back to School supplies are lining the store aisles, so I guess that means I’ll soon start having my “chaotic classroom” dreams! In those mild nightmare scenes, I’m always in front of a classroom full of children. I don’t recognize any of them, and they are always talking, throwing things, and behaving like ordinary hooligans. Since I don’t know any of their names, I can’t address specific behavior. Needless to say, I’m always glad to wake up! Thankfully, my real classroom never quite descends to such levels!
Hope you have a safe, healthy, and happy end of summer. Talk to you next month!
Tammy
