Hello August.

Let August begin.  So many things about August to love this year.

Back to school planning begins.

• First day of school is 3 weeks away on August 22nd!
• The joy of picking out all those fresh, clean notebooks and array of colorful folders
• School clothes shopping is easier this year with uniforms of khaki and polo shirts!

Olympics in 5 days ....

• the games in Rio allow us to see South America in a way we haven't before
• the thrill of gymnastics, swimming, track and field
• the adverse side of Rio with worry over sanitation and security

Baseball enters the true 'down the stretch'

• With the trade deadline behind us - a record 18 trades - how will these team fare now?
• The Yankees invest in next season already without hopes of the playoffs...
• Joe Maddon and those Cubs have convinced Ellie and I to route, route, route for the Cubbies as they make their way to the playoffs and (fingers crossed) the World Series this year!

Summer fruit in full bloom - peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries ...

• A trip to the farmer's market
• Finding the local peach farm to get fruit for summer pies
• the smell of sweet fruit on a summer day

There's so much to love about August.  I will treasure each day knowing that as the days wind down the summer will be gone with the blink of an eye.  Treasuring what we have each day is the key this month.

Hello August!  Welcome to the neighborhood!