August
August trots in all crafty, deliberately trailing July's train as July's always fabulous five weeks retreat having once again successfully hung the mantle of Summer on its thirty one days. August will not ride July's coattails; it is a unique creature unto itself. It proudly touts itself as the Dog Days of Summer, heat and humidity uniquely combined with the first whiffs of fall. August proudly boasts ownership of summer colors. At the beginning of the month, the carefully nurtured flowers are in full bloom, colors resplendent, playing off each other in the gardens. Neighbors stop and stare at not just pinks and reds and yellows but fuschias and crimsons and golds, pumpkin orange as a precursor to the fruit ripening in the garden. This is August. This is also August. The plants reluctant to grow since you first placed them in the ground with the admonishment and supports to thrive now give up the ghost, as do you. You mentally note ...