THE DELIGHTFUL DAYS OF AUGUST

The month of August once kicks off its first day with an ancient festival called Lammas Day. Celebrated on August 1st by early Christian communities, it marks the start of the wheat and grain harvest, giving thanks for the first crops. Its name comes from the Old English words hlāfmæsse, meaning "loaf-mass," because people baked bread from the new grain and brought it to church to be blessed. 

 

Besides Lammas Day, The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated on August 9^th’; National Aviation Day on the 19^th; and Women’s Equality Day, which celebrates the 19th Amendment, on August 26^th. Lastly, the month of August invites us to relish the last joys of summer. 

In Pennsylvania, August is usually hot. Temperatures can range from 70 to 80+.  If the rainfall is also favorable, our gardens are filled with mature vegetables to harvest: squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, sweet corn, and more. 

                                                            

As part of a farm family growing up, I was always in awe about the largeness of our garden. My mother both canned and froze the produce. We had learned quickly not to tell her that we were bored. Those words would send us outside with a trowel, hoe, or hand cultivator to weed a row of onions or corn or whatever vegetable she decided needed care after peering out the kitchen window at the garden. 

 

I often enjoyed the task. It was an effortless one which allowed me to daydream while tiny insignificant weeds were laid to rest in the sunshine and wilt. I also make a connection with nature as I watched the plants grow. It brought a quiet sense of patience and inner peace-- and self-satisfaction to see a clean, weed-free row evolve when I was finished.

  

 I was the child who disliked inside work like sweeping, dusting, and cleaning. There was something magical about outdoor work where a gal could be alone and conjure up her muses. Although I will admit, I also liked ironing for the same reason—entering la, la land in my head.     

When signs of autumn start to sneak up on the horizon, I become a little melancholy realizing the long hours of daylight will fade once September draws near. 

But until then, I’m overjoyed to be outdoors with the plants, the birds, and the bees. . . and those delightful summer days of August.

                                     

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PORCUPINE FESTIVITIES

The weather in Central Pennsylvania has been fickle this year. Rain falls unexpectedly every other day, followed by periods of extreme heat. It makes for a wonderful atmosphere for our garden plants and flowers which are flourishing this year.

In one of my flowerbeds, as you enter the house through the back door, I have a bed of grape hyacinth which blooms profusely each spring. This summer, some critter keeps digging holes and unearthing the bulbs every night. I was blaming it on a skunk, but the other night my husband discovered a porcupine in front of our unattached garage, located outside the back door. He (or she) was not a large one, and we’re guessing from his size, he’s probably a yearling.                    

After some research, I found that porcupines are nocturnal herbivore rodents, and they eat things such as fruit, roots, tree bark, leaves of plants, flowers, vegetables, and bulbs. They also have a preference for salty items.

FUN FACTS:

They are the largest rodent found in North America and weight around twenty pounds. Basically loners, these rodents prefer to live and forage alone. They are good swimmers and excellent climbers, regularly scaling trees in search of food. Contact with others only occurs during the breeding season when the young, called porcupettes, are born. Bearing twins is unusual.

by jggrz, Pixabay

     Porcupines have about 30,000 quills they can use for 

     defense, but they cannot throw them as many legends 

     have earlier indicated. Porcupines have a range of about 

     14 acres and live an average of 18+ years in North 

     America. 

     Now, the burning question is how does a homeowner get

     rid of this irksome rodent? Unfortunately, the only permanent way is trapping him or fencing your plants, garden, and flowerbeds. Sometimes a liquid repellent from your local hardware store will deter him.

So basically, I’ve concluded that we’re stuck with pesky Mr. Porcupine since none of the above is possible or has worked. I’m told, when he runs out of food, he’ll move on. I’m guessing we’re in a relationship with this critter for the remainder of our summer months. 

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