August

kiehart
Aug 3
1 min read

August: the month where the sun tries to cook us like the supermarket rotisserie chickens. It’s 98 degrees in the shade, your deodorant has given up, and your AC is weeping softly in the corner. But hey—watermelon’s cheap, sunsets are dramatic, and there’s still time to grill those three zucchinis your neighbor lovingly left at your door. For those who celebrate birthdays smack in the middle of summer madness, you’ve probably endured more melted cake icing and suffered more sunburns than you'd care to admit.

Meanwhile, students experience emotional meltdowns around mid-August. Summer freedom evaporates like the last drop of lemonade, and suddenly August becomes less about purchasing school supplies and looking forward to reconnecting with friends and more about being chained to a desk under fluorescent lighting.

Working folks? They've been grinding through summer anyway, pausing only to glance out the window longingly. End of summer means fewer vacationers clogging the roadways during lunch hour as you attempt to run errands. August ends the concept that working-from-the-beach is a legitimate lifestyle.

But for those who are retired, August—also known as the end of summer—is just another flavor in the sundae of life. We’re not eyeing calendars with dread—no counting the weeks until the next three-day weekend or holiday, no looming deadlines, no early alarms, no back-to-school chaos. If anything, we welcome the shift as beaches and parks empty, tourist spots quiet down, and it’s finally our turn to enjoy the world with fewer crowds and less sunscreen.

Everyone’s clock ticks differently—but retired folks definitely win the chill trophy.

And, not just in August, but year ‘round.

See you in September!

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Aug 04

Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Great easy read that tells it like it is. And yes for us retirees less traffic on the roads. Yippee!

September Post

September isn't just a Month--it's a Mindset

Photo: Monarch Pass, Colorado, September

Let me begin with a quote that captures the quiet magic of this month: “September tries its best to have us forget summer.” – Bernard Williams.

There’s something bittersweet about September. It’s not loud with excitement and energy like July or with sparkle and shine like December. It whispers. It reminds us that change is approaching—and change can inspire personal reflection.

In the Northern Hemisphere, September marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The days grow shorter, the air turns crisp, and trees begin their slow, spectacular transformation. Leaves shift from green to gold, amber, and crimson—nature’s final fireworks before winter’s hush.

September teaches us that slowing down doesn’t mean stopping—it means preparing. Families switch into school mode. Farmers begin their harvest. Animals start their migration or gather food for the colder months.

September is a quieter month. The rush of summer fades, and the frenzy of the holidays hasn’t yet begun. There’s time to think. To breathe.

I’ve always found September to be a time of clarity--my 'chill' month. It’s when I take stock of my goals, reconnect with my values, and prepare for the final stretch of the year. For me, it’s about recalibration.

So what is September, really? It’s a month of balance, of beauty, of quiet transformation. Observe the changes that surround you each day. Be reminded that change doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

As we move through this month, I invite you to let go of what no longer serves you. And prepare, with purpose, for what’s to come.