Thus far August has had a few mild days with temperatures in the 70’s and low 80’s and low humidity following the rainstorms. Very nice. And then other days, shoo wee, while those rainstorms are building up, the heat index climbs above 100. These temperature variations bring back memories of family gatherings at my great-grandfather’s farm in Franklin County, Missouri in the heat with drenching humidity, as well as finding a few days of reprieve during our family vacations to the northern lakeside. The daisies, black-eyed Susans, and coneflowers are swaying with a breeze. The butterflies and bees find nectar during their busy activity while I read and eventually nap on a cot in the screened porch. We’ve had both types of summer days in just this first part of August here in Missouri.

“The month of August had turned into a griddle where the days just lay there and sizzled.” ~ Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees, 2001

“August creates as she slumbers, replete and satisfied.” ~ Joseph Wood Krutch, Twelve Seasons, 1949

“I love borders. August is the border between summer and autumn: it is the most beautiful month I know.” ~ Tove Jansson, The Summer Book, 1972

This summer has lent itself to great writing time when the heat is too much for outdoor activities. I have written a few poems and even a fairy tale. The book, The Artist’s Rule by Christine Valters Paintner, I am reading with a book club encourages different creative exercises like walking a labyrinth or putting together an artist’s family tree. This is where you write down the names of 4 or 5 people who have influenced you in the creative field and then connect their names with the 4 or 5 people who have influenced them, and so on. These can be a teacher, musician, artist, photographer, writer, craftsman, or culinary professional. This exercise demonstrates how we all are interconnected and are creative beings. Our God who made each of us is a creative god.

Dean and I will be getting away for a few days very soon. Due to gas prices and time, we are taking the shortest trip possible from our locale to see some sand, shells, lighthouses, and hopefully feel consistent cooler air. This will be the most northwestern section of Indiana and southwestern section of Michigan along Lake Michigan. We have not been in these parts of the United States, so we look forward to the new discoveries and change of pace. Meantime, this week I will prepare a “coastal” dinner of seared scallops and carrots glazed with a citrus sauce over jasmine rice.