What does August mean to you? Is it just another summer month or does it hold other meanings? I always think of “back to school time” when August arrives, even though my children and grandchildren are grown. These days many schools start by the middle of August or sooner. When I was a child school started the day after Labor Day. However, August signaled the time to get ready to go back to school. I’m sure you remember the excitement at picking out your school supplies and some new clothes and shoes.
As an adult, I think I was about as excited as my two sons when it came time to shop for back to school. I loved seeing all the new school supplies and helping my boys pick out a few new outfits for school. My birthday is August 9th and my mother always sent me a little money as a gift. She always told me to be sure and get something for myself. I never told her, but I always used the money to help buy school supplies as money was always tight then. Actually, that was using the money for myself because it made me happy to be able to get the things my boys needed to start the new school year. I also know that my mother would have done the same thing. 😊
When August comes around I also start thinking about the seasons changing. It is still a very hot month here and actually so is September. I guess it just makes me realize that the summer is nearing its end and Fall is around the corner.
Does August hold any special meanings for you?
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| It's definitely still a beautiful summer here. |
From my teaching days here in the UK August is the whole month off school - now retired all montths are much the same but no special birthdays in August. And once the warm weather breaks here in the UK as it has done this week it often takes a long time to settle down again - as it is doing.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to hear about different school schedules in other countries. I guess that means August was a vacation month for teachers and students. Here school is out 2 1/2 months in the summer, although the time off seems to gradually get shorter.
DeleteSchools don't generally break up until the end of July in England and then restart in September! My son and husband's birthdays are in August. After some hot and humid days over the last couple of weeks the weather has now turned. It is cloudy and a lot cooler. I hope you are doing something nice for your birthday Bonnie! Have a lovely week. x
ReplyDeleteSo August is a birthday month for your family! One of my brothers also had a birthday in August. We won't get cooler weather until October, but I still start thinking about the changing seasons in August. I will probably get together with my family the weekend after my birthday. I hope the remainder of your weekend is good Simone! x
DeleteWell Bonnie, August still makes me think of school too, especially when the hot days turn into cool nights here in Pennsylvania. "Oh no, summer's ending!" but it REALLY makes me think of birthdays. My brother on the 3rd, Mom's on the 7th, my old girlfriend is on the 8th (and now you on the 9th!) My one grandma on the 14th, my sister Shawn on the 28th. Growing up, school was always right after Labor Day too--I think it's the ONE WEEK OF THE YEAR I don't miss being younger, haha! Well, Early Happy Birthday Bonnie, hope it's a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteYou really do have a lot of birthdays in August! Your family is full of Leos! Although I do miss the back to school season with my sons, I will admit to enjoying the quiet that comes to our neighborhood after school starts! Thanks for the early birthday wish. You have a good week!
DeleteAugust is the birthday month for one of my sons, his son (same day), his daughter and his wife--all in the first half of the month. DD's bday was a week ago.
ReplyDeleteCompletely understand your gift money going to pay for your children's needs. Certainly was always true for me. Now when I give my DD or D'sIL gift money, I specifically tell them not to spend it on their kiddies. They probably listen as well as I did. :) Hope you have a lovely birthday on the 9th.
Wow, your son's whole family is born in the same month! That must keep them busy. August must be one month long birthday party for the family.
DeleteI think it is natural for us mothers to put our children first and as you say, I imagine they do the same thing. Thanks for the birthday wish! Have a good week Mary!
My sister in law and (step) father in law both have birthdays on the 4th. My late grandmother's birthday was the 13th. That's about it for birthdays here. Sending you my best wishes for a happy one, Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like many families have birthdays grouped close together. And for you, school has already started by August! Thanks for your good wishes and I hope the school year starts out good for you in your job!
DeleteSchool is September in England. August is Summer, fun and harvest.
ReplyDeleteI thought you would relate August to harvest and farming. My Dad grew up on a farm and he always remembered the harvest and also other seasons on the farm. School here used to be out for June, July and August but these days most schools start by the middle of August. I think they are slowly working towards a shorter summer vacation and longer school year. Enjoy your Sunday Rachel!
DeleteFor as long as I can remember, summer vacation in our area has run roughly from the last week in June until after Labour Day. So the last two weeks in August have always been full of that keen awareness that freedom - like fine weather - is about to end. A kind of bittersweet time, really, even when our kids were the ones facing school. I loved having them home and didn't like the hurry of school starting up again. My brother and his daughter both have August birthdays. We are a small family so that's a high percentage! Have a very happy birthday, Bonnie, and may you have a wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteI do understand when you say it was a bittersweet time. I hated to see my boys go back to school but I loved their excitement about it. I also didn't like the thought of the good weather leaving us. Two family birthdays in one month is enough to keep you busy! Both of my brothers and myself were all born in the summer. I've always though summer was a good time for birthdays. Thank you for your kind wishes! I do hope you are doing well and things are working out better for you. I keep you in my thoughts and prayers!
DeleteThank you for sharing your August reflections with us!
ReplyDeleteMy Mum‘s birthday is on the 12th, and since I am with O.K., there are two more birthdays in the family that month, his mother and sister. This year, his sister is turning 60, and hopefully the pandemic regulations will allow for a celebration.
On my walks, I look at all the fields that have already been harvested and notice the difference in light and colour, and I know that the peak of summer is behind us - with less. than 5 months until Christmas.
Happy early birthday to your Mom! It sounds like August birthdays will keep both you and O.K. busy. I imagine with your long walks you would really notice all the signs of the coming change of seasons. I love to watch how nature gradually changes each season.
DeleteI hope your vision is doing well and both eyes are healing without any problems. Thank you for stopping by Meike!
August is my birthday month too. I was always glad that school did not start til after Labor Day. Autumn is my favorite season and even though it is warm in the south until Nov., I still begin to look for scarecrows and fall decorations in August! Sweet memory of the money your mom would mail you on your special day and that it helped you buy what your sons needed for school. Have a good evening,❤️
ReplyDeleteWe share a birthday month! I enjoy Autumn as well, with the leaves changing and the cooler days. I bet you will have fun decorating your new home for the changing seasons! Have a good week Mildred!
DeleteYour August was like my August. My girls went back in September, but when I had grands to care for, they were back by mid August, sooner for band.
ReplyDeleteOne of my sons was active in band also and had those early back to school starts. It seems like the schools start earlier every year here.
DeleteIt used to be when I worked at a school, time to get supplies together and make sure all was done that needed to be done in the garden and around the house.
ReplyDeleteNow it is the month before we take a bit of a break and travel to the mountains for a bit.
God bless.
That is one of the nice things about retirement. Once the schools start it is a good time to travel or go to the places that are too busy when school is out.
DeleteTake care Jackie!
August makes me think about memories of back to school, too. The schools in Kansas, where my family lived, always started a week or two before Labor Day, so we had some school and then had a three-day weekend that featured Jerry Lewis's muscular dystrophy telethon. We also shopped for back to school clothes. Then for years I bought school supplies for my children. Sometimes we'd spend hours looking for a single item on the teacher's list. Now I don't buy school supplies or clothes for anyone, and that's fine. Although summer doesn't end until we're well into September, August always felt like a winding down of the summer, with fewer days spent at the swimming pool and an increase in responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Your August memories are very much like mine. I remember how the Jerry Lewis telethon was on every Labor Day weekend. It was like it was a part of the changing seasons. I also remember searching for items on the teacher's school supply list and all the care my boys put into finding just the right notebooks and other things. I enjoyed hearing your August memories. I'm glad to not be in the back to school rush anymore but I will always remember it this time of the year! Take care Janie!
DeleteWe used to start school the end of August so this month meant school supplies for me, too. I was always excitd about new paper, pens, folders--anything and everything! Loved it all. Clothes didn't interest me much, though. Fall is my favorite time of year so in August I knew it was coming--along with school--ahhh! Cooler weather! :)
ReplyDeleteI had a feeling you were excited about new school supplies as a child! I was the same way. I even loved the way the supplies had that new smell, especially the crayons! I really enjoy Fall too but it won't be here for us until at least October. Hopefully you will get yours much sooner! Take care Rita!
DeleteYes, "It seems like only yesterday" when I had those same feelings and experiences of August! Good memories and good history! But all in the past now.
ReplyDeleteThe rest of the world might be shocked to know that our school year here in Costa Rica is literally on the calendar year with school starting the first week of February and concluding 15 December with graduations that week and summer vacation through January. :-)
Hi Charlie! 😊 It is interesting to learn of the Costa Rica school year. Since you have such wonderful weather all year the kids can get summer vacation and Christmas all together!
ReplyDeleteThe school year here in the U.S. is gradually changing with much shorter summer breaks.
I hope you are getting rested up and feel better!
August is the winding down of summer, I always think of back to school too. :)
ReplyDeleteI think once we have raised a family, we will always think about those back to school days! I also think of the winding down of summer even though it will be hot here at least through September. ; )
DeleteWe are heading back to school here in less than two weeks, Bonnie. Hard to believe. It is also fair time. Take care and have a good rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteIt is about the same here with most students returning to school around the middle of August. Have fun getting your two ready for the big day. All the fairs around here are usually in September and October. Take care!
Deleteprecious friend Bonnie thank you so much for remembering me for my visit and visiting me often ,i loved knowing you through your profile :)
ReplyDeleteyou have a beautiful perfect family and peaceful life ,may it be continued forever with all you love!
you have special memories attached with August indeed :)
i too Love love life and all the time i have as very unique gift as moments of life ,no matter what breathing is a celebration for me since childhood .
i too remembered August because of school reopening memories until my eldest son born on 7th of August :)
yes i love poetry too ,i myself used to write poetry and still do sometimes .
wishing all the joy ,peace and health to you and loved ones!
Hi Baili, thanks for stopping by! I appreciate you kind words and I hope you are well and happy. Your son's birthday is just a couple of days before mine. I wish him a Happy Birthday! Take care Baili and have a wonderful day!
DeleteYes, Back To School time.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child going to school at this time school had already started. Weather was a bit cooler, monsoons storms started most afternoons. School was out earlier than most places because of the heat of June.
Now the monsoons are so bad now and really are much changed since I was living here. Climate Change has destroyed everything.
Lovely photo, very green.
cheers
I agree, Climate Change is certainly causing a lot of trouble. Thanks for stopping by! I hope you and those sweet gud dugs are doing well!
DeleteHere in the UK kids go back to school in September so August is very much a summer month. Sadly we have had terrible weather this year and it already feels like Autumn is just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you have not had the kind of summer weather you could enjoy. Where I live we have a very hot summer and don't get the Autumn temps until October. Today is the first day of school here, of course my boys and my grandchildren are grown, but I still watch the school year out of habit I suppose. I hope you and your family are well.
DeleteSchools here go back in September. Working in teaching, as I have done, August has always been the chill-out month. I've now got a lot less work than I used to have and some of it goes on through the holidays but I still feel the rhythm of life as it used to be! Same with Sunday nights and Monday mornings. It often reminds me of traffic lights still changing in a city at night even when there's no traffic.
ReplyDeleteI love your analogy of the rhythm of life compared to traffic lights still changing in a city at night even when there's no traffic. That is so true and very much how I feel even after retiring. I hope the school year goes well for you!
DeleteActually, Lorelei started back to school the end of July...I think the 28th! She only went a couple days before her mom came down with Covid..then a week or so later, her dad...she is just returning to school today.
ReplyDeleteI still love school supplies. I think this is the first year in my life where I have not went through the aisles to see if I can find anything I must have. I love pens and paper so much but don't really have a use for paper any more so I don't buy it. But used to, it was hard to resist buying a spiral notebook here and there. I still have a use for pens, though!
I'm sorry to hear that Lorelei's parents had Covid. I think many kids will miss a lot of school this year after coming in contact with Covid and having to quarantine.
DeleteI'm just like you, I love school supplies! One year there was a big sale on spiral notebooks for 15 cents apiece. I bought so many that we are still using them for grocery lists and such.