Olympic Fever, and Fun Facts About August
"The quiet August noon has come;
A slumberous silence fills the sky;
The winds are still, the trees are dumb,
In glassy sleep the waters lie."
-William Cullen Bryant
Hello Readers!
Welcome to August! The Olympics have been a blast so far, hope you're enjoying them as much as we are. We've contracted a case of Olympic fever, and it's not from swimming in the Seine.
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| Opening ceremonies did not disappoint. |
Whether you're a dressage person or a trampoline enthusiast, there's been something for everyone at these games. We've especially enjoyed cheering on Simon Biles, the GOAT. The Olympics end Sunday, so if you've been missing out, there's still plenty of track and field, basketball, and synchronized swimming to enjoy.
Not much new with us as summer rolls on. We're still enjoying the release of 'An Educated Death'. If you haven't checked it out yet, please do. Here's a link to view and/or order the book. link
As has become our custom, we've got some fun facts about the new month for ya.
We're turning into a regular ol' farmer's almanac over here!
August was named after Augustus Caesar. He is considered the first Roman Emperor and was a nephew of Julius Caesar.
The Perseid Meteor Shower takes place every August. It's one of the biggest and best meteor showers, with somewhere between 50-100 meteors visible per hour. Peak viewing will be sometime next week, around the 11th, 12th, or 13th. They are named after the constellation Perseus, which is the point in the sky where they appear.
The dog days of summer end on the 11th. (These days have been especially doggy for us.)
Know anyone about to give birth? Babies born in August are supposed to be extra lucky and also creative.
August is National Sandwich month--supposedly commemorating when the Earl of Sandwich slapped some meat between two pieces of bread in 1762. Other notable days include:
- August 17 is when Cat Nights begin--this harkens back to an Irish legend about witches being able to turn into cats, but only eight times. The ninth time they have to stay a cat. That's why cats are said to have nine lives.
- August 19th is National Aviation Day--in honor of Orville Wright's birthday.
- August 26th is Women's Equality Day
- August 31st is National Trail Mix Day. Yum.
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| The trail mix lobby scored themselves a National Day |
An August Cricket
When August days are hot and long,
And the August hills are hazy,
And clouds are slow and winds also,
And brooks are low and lazy.
When beats the fierce midsummer sun,
upon the dying grasses;
A modest minstrel sings his song
To any soul that passes.
A modest, yet incessant bard
Who while the landscape slumbers;
And Nature seems, herself asleep,
Pours out his soul in numbers.
His song is in a tongue unknown,
Yet those, methink, who hear it
Drink in its healing melody
Renewed in frame and spirit.
His life is brief as is the leaf
To summer branches clinging!
But yet no thought of death or grief,
He mentions in his singing.
No epic strain is his to sign;--
No tale of loss or glory;--
He has no borrowed heroines;
His heroes are not gory.
He is no scholar; all he knows
Was taught by his condition,
He never studied synthesis,
Nor simple composition.
His lays are all of rustic themes;
Of summer's joys and treasure
Yet scarce could Homer's masterpiece,
Afford us keener pleasure.
That's all for now. Until next time.
~2authors
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