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August

August 4, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

August

August is stifling, a string of one hundred plus degree days.

Plants wilt and scream to be cut back or yanked from the soil.

I open the kitchen door and heat billows.  Before sunrise.

The dogs stop and sniff and stare, refusing to move from the back step. They wonder what’s going on in this place we live?

Yes, they wonder, I can tell by their cocked heads and sincere eyes.

I enjoy August, even with her sultry days bringing frizzy hair and skin damp enough to sprout seeds.

August marks the bittersweet end of summer.

Maybe sneak in one last vacation?

I anticipate fall and cotton harvest.

School supplies fill store shelves.

Number two pencils.

Clean white notebook paper.

I wait for college football and pumpkin lattes.

I wait for that first brilliant leaf.

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.  ~Sam Keen

Filed Under: Life, Nature & Seasons Tagged With: Autumn, Summer

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Comments

  1. Writercat59 says

    August 4, 2013 at 5:50 am

    I love August, too, even though the days are starting to shorten and sunset is coming sooner each day. We haven’t had the incredible heat you get down south which I’m glad about. I don’t do well in that heat. Don’t know how you stand it. PHEWWWWW!

    I must admit that I love fall with those crisp days, the glorious foliage and that back to school feeling of wanting to start anew. Too bad winter follows. UGH!

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 4, 2013 at 6:23 am

      I like winter too:) Of course ours is mild. I think I like the beginning of every season:)

  2. Middle-aged Diva (Carol) says

    August 4, 2013 at 7:47 am

    I love your capture of those waning days of summer. I can’t believe August is actually here and we are moving into fall very soon. Every season has its pleasures, but I feel like summer just got here!
    Carol
    http://www.carolcassara.com

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 5, 2013 at 4:11 am

      The entire year has flown by!

  3. Kathy says

    August 4, 2013 at 10:25 am

    August brings mixed feelings for me. My mom died in 1993 pm August 12, and my son was born on the August 31. I enjoy all the seasons but by the time August hits I am looking forward to fall, pumpkins, and football

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 5, 2013 at 4:11 am

      Yes August makes me ready for fall. Especially in this Dallas heat!

  4. Gayle Glass says

    August 5, 2013 at 5:52 am

    Talked to my folks this weekend and they echoed your misery. At 85 years old, though, they are staying inside! For once, you should wish you had spent the summer in Arkansas – it’s been a spectacular summer here – only a couple days so far close to 100 – in fact, a couple weeks ago, I went the whole week with the a/c off, and it still got too cool in the evenings. This is RARE, and I’m enjoying the heck out of it! Come see us some time.

  5. Barbara Tate says

    August 15, 2014 at 8:40 am

    Loved your description of August. You hit the nail on the head. Leaving Mt Home this morning, I can feel the hint of Fall in the air. I too love all the seasons.

  6. pat laster says

    August 15, 2014 at 9:58 am

    Should a’ been in Arkansas this cool-up-here August. Maybe in Fayetteville, August’s won’t be as stifling as Dallas. Good poem, fill of images. xoxo

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 17, 2014 at 7:57 am

      Thanks Pat. Yes, on a regular normal basis, Fayetteville will be much cooler than Dallas. Love those mountains!

  7. pat laster says

    August 15, 2014 at 9:59 am

    Sorry for the apostrophe after August. Too early for my brain to kick in. LOL


Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: 11.23.25
  • Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book
  • Sunday Letter: November 9, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 26, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 5, 2025

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