August is the “Happiness Happens Month.”
By declaration, we shall be happy this month. How hard is that?
Augustus was, in Roman times, a lofty title conveying magnificence, reserved for the emperor. Being august does not, however, redeem the month of August for being the hottest month of the year. Hot weather is, we must remember, just what we wished for in the blue cold of last winter.
It’s August – suddenly. Bask. Recharge your solar cells. Get out in it but protect your skin.
Go visit one of our many waterfalls featured on these pages by Ed and Cindy Boos, or hike to a summit.
The Dog Days of Summer appear in August, referencing not hang-dog high temperatures but the appearance of Sirius, the “Dog Star,” on the horizon at sunrise. Don’t tell your cat.
Gladiola and Poppy are August’s flowers, gladiola from the Latin meaning spear. Peridot and Sardonyx are the birthstones.
Martha Stewart was born in August. Do we need to know these things? What we should know is that August contains National Smile Week, August 5-11. Start practicing now.
August has been officially declared “Happiness Happens Month.” I’m not making this up. The Secret Society of Happy People (don’t ask, just Google it) declared August, Happiness Happens Month, in 1998. How good is that?!
If that doesn’t ring your bell, August is also National Catfish Month, National Peach Month and National Sandwich Month. Making peach cobbler this month is patriotic. A fried catfish sandwich? Sounds good to me. Toasted ciabatta with plenty of tartar sauce. One must relish one’s celebratory compliances.
What is it about August that makes you think about homemade ice cream on hot peach cobbler, sliced tomatoes and cantaloupe boats, grilled chicken and potato salad? Maybe it’s all the food days in August.
In staccato form:
• August 1 is National Milkshake Day,
• August 3 is National Watermelon Day and
• August 10 is National S’mores Day.
• August 13 is National Filet Mignon Day. The day explicitly calls for filet mignon tonight. Grilled until black streaked on the outside and pink on the inside. Yum.
• August 14 is National Creamsicle Day,
• August 15 is National Lemon Meringue Pie Day and
• August 17 is Vanilla Custard Day.
• The 19th is National Potato Day.
There is summer harvest aplenty this month. Relish our peaches and tomatoes. Our bright skies. Heart-warming summer evenings with family and friends.
So, it’s Happiness Happens Month: time to glory in the gifts of August. As if that weren’t enough, more happy days are coming with fall. Ha!
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