On August

When August rolls around I always end up thinking about this old Slate article about how nothing good ever happens in August. There are no holidays in August, wars have started in August, and Elvis died in August.

Ok, so perhaps it doesn't have the best historical or political track record. In spite of that, August has the happy task of beginning the transition from summer to fall. Some might argue that that happens in September, but I think it's August that is simultaneously full of the last joys of summer and the first glimmers of fall. So, to make use of the last of the year's warm, sunny days, here's what I'm looking forward to for the rest of August.



Tomatoes. When I was a kid, my Dad's tomato plants took over our garden every summer. My favorites were the yellow lightbulb-shaped ones that my sister (who called them "tom-a-tah-moes") and I would steal, warmed by the sun, right off the vine, and sneakily pop into our mouths while outside playing.



Frozen treats. Not that I don't love a good ice cream cone in winter (I do), but there's something decidedly summer about racing the drip of ice cream down your cone and winning.



Summer reading. Some books just have to be read in the summer, preferably outdoors. I've already mentioned my habit of rereading Gatsby in the summer, and I'm told the book I've just started (A Tree Grows In Brooklyn) is prime summer reading material.



Eating outside. Picnics, BBQs, park benches, or even the sidewalk. Bugs, schmugs.



Last swims. So far I've taking a dip in the ocean, two rivers, and a friend's kiddie pool. I want to do each one once more before my bathing suit gets retired.

Did I miss anything? What are you looking forward to in the final weeks before fall?

Images via: Diary Of A Daydreamer, skinnylaminx on flickr, Katie at Simple Bites, Harris Tweed, Paul Ferney for Oh Happy Day, and Quin Bisset.