Editorial topics sometimes become pretty scarce in summer, and so summer itself sometimes becomes a subject.
Who can disagree that August is an agreeable time of year?
Of course, August can be unruly, when it delivers excessive heat or fails to deliver timely rain. Or when it delivers early frost or too much rain.Or when it produces wind storms.
On balance, though, August is a pretty pleasant month.
For one thing, it is the least windy month of the year. Of course, that can be a disadvantage, too, if August delivers too many bugs.
The usual August, however, is a pleasant time. There is abundance, for one thing. Gardens are in full production now, even if produce is a little late. Tomatoes, perhaps especially. And sweet corn. That only means that we can look forward to them even more eagerly.
Color, too, August provides in abundance, especially the richly soothing hues of maturing crops, the various shades of green exhibited by potato vines, corn stalks and beans and the pale gold of ripening grain.
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And the vivid blue of the sky. Is the sky ever any bluer than in summer? Is the moon ever any bigger?
These are pleasures that the place provides. August is rich in pleasures that people provide, as well.
Summer is the season of festivals, outdoor concerts and more. And have we mentioned the softball games, the swimming pools, the backyard barbeques, the quiet strolls? Or the quiet pleasure of sitting on the deck with a cold drink and a good book and perhaps a pair of binoculars. And maybe a baseball game just audible on the radio.
Ah! August. A most pleasant time of the year. Usually. Unless. But always a time to look ahead, anticipating the changes coming - harvest, the start of school, the vagaries of weather.
August: Always a month to appreciate.
