The Ease of August

I can feel the ease of August upon us now and I’m reminded of lazy days in the river, feeling the water from the mountains turn colder with every passing day as I sat and looked for rocks that piqued my interest. It’s believed that we tend to fall into patterns and I decided to take a look at why July was so incredibly busy and wild and full and I realize because it’s always been like that. If it wasn’t like that, I would have been even more uncomfortable than just doing what I’ve always done. We repeat the patterns of what we grew up knowing.

In July on the farm it was always hectic with things to do. Cows to move, rodeos to prepare for, market gardens to work and attend, camp to head to, and constant mowing of the lawn. We would use that one month out of the year to spend our times up at the lake, sleeping in a cramped camper, filling our days with boating, water skiing, fishing, bike riding, and…doing. July was all about DOING. So it’s no surprise that when I look back at the rest of my life, it followed suit. Regardless of where I lived or what I was doing, I felt the need to cram my July full of activities and obligations and moving and extra over time. July comes with the feeling of scarcity - it’s the height of the very short summer and the year and everything after that is on the downswing towards harvest and a really cold winter.

August, however, comes with a slight ease. I think my parents were always thinking about the upcoming harvest which would start at the end of August and go until the beginning of November if we were lucky - so they revelled in the ease of the “last month” of summer. Letting us run wild until school began. There was less structure, less trips, less planning, and more of a “keep yourself out of trouble” mindset. I remember spending my post-camp August days creating a reading nook in a hammock between 2 big trees where I would get in as much reading as I could before I had to add textbooks to the pile. I would let the trees cradle me and the gentle warm wind rock me as the sun dappled through the leaves. This was peace.

I think there’s something magical about the cooler dewy mornings and evenings with a midday of warmth. There’s a bit of giving in to time for the month of August, kind of like a month long Sunday - you’ve had the hustle and bustle of the Saturday and now you can rest and replenish before picking up the pace again. August is for settling, for breathing, for luxuriating, for slowing down.

Because we all know it will pick up again.
But for now,
let us enjoy
the ease of August.