It’s August, the month I begin by feeling sad for summer vacation’s end, but midway through when the days start to get a little cooler and less humid, the early excitement for autumn seizes me. This occurred over the weekend as I woke up to dry, cool, sunny days. August can be such a lovely month in this way, and I plan to enjoy the rest of the warmth, the tomatoes and peaches, while being simultaneously glad that fall will arrive, too.
After I returned from Rhode Island, and a summer of being away most of the time, it was lovely to enjoy my two remaining weeks of summer break at home, reading on the screen porch and our new patio set. This was actually delivered between Europe and Rhode Island, and now that the intense heat of summer seems to have abated, I can sit here. We searched a long time for the perfect table for this space before deciding on this seven-piece set and umbrella, and couldn’t be happier about it.
One other fun surprise was seeing just how much our flowers grew while I was gone. In particular, the vinca thrived this summer (note to self to plant again next spring), and the lantana have just started to bloom brightly again since I’ve been home. Plus, I sprinkled some wildflower seeds in the spring, and have been delighted to see a few black-eyed Susans and cosmos pop up.
We have also been loving the farm stand near our house, where we have been finding the most delicious produce.
Last week, too, I finished another book! If you’ve read or seen Brooklyn, Long Island is the next chapter in Eilis Lacey’s life. Eilis is Irish and now in her 40s, living in Long Island with her Italian American husband Tony and their two grown children, in close proximity to Tony’s big family. When Eilis learns that Tony has gotten another woman pregnant, and that the woman’s husband plans to leave the baby on their doorstep, Eilis returns home to Ireland for the first time since she married Tony and moved to America twenty years prior. Although the writing is seemingly simple and straightforward, the story and characters are quite layered and complex as Eilis considers what to do and reconnects with her hometown and the people there. The book examines the secrets we keep and choices we make. A very interesting read.
I will savor these weekend mornings on the porch and watching the shifting season. I hope you have a wonderful August.
P.S. These final summer days and 10 other reads from this summer.
