Tag: Summer

2025 · Fourth of July

Addison Kaboom Town, Texas 2011 (1)

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Kevin, Courtney, and I went with the kids and a stroller full of coolers, blankets, and towels from a parking garage to the Addison Circle, which leads to the entrance of Kaboom Town. Addison opens the gates around 4 or 5 pm. The earlier we arrive, the better our chances are of getting a decent spot. It was a very hot Independence Day weekend. So, we adults decided to pick a shaded spot under a couple of trees close to the water fountains and the bathrooms. Once our blankets were laid out, the girls wanted to play in the fountain and cool off. There was still plenty of time for the airshow and fireworks. By the time the sun is behind the horizon, the kids can rest and watch the shows. It didn’t take long before Sara was hungry and wanted to eat a sandwich. Thank goodness, we always bring our cooler with us. Katelynn rested with her Dad on the blanket for a little bit before she decided she was hungry, too.

… to be continued …

2025 · Summer

🌻 At The End of August 2025 🌻

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🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺

Summer is leaving silently.
Much like a traveler
Approaching the end of an
Amazing journey.

Darnell Lamont Walker

🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺🌻🌷🐝🌺

2025 · National Day Calendar

National Toasted Marshmallow Day 2025

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Hmm, roasted marshmallow!

The National Toasted Marshmallow Day was created by the National Confectioners Association (NCA). The organization promotes the sweets businesses in the U.S.A. One may think that promoting sugary food items might make for an unhealthy nation, but NCA aims to bring to light the benefits of choosing healthy options, which would, in turn, lead to a “balanced lifestyle” for many. Another of NCA’s goals includes lobbying for better communication frameworks, industrial insights, and regulatory business laws. All these factors would help candy businesses in America to grow and remain maintained in both the local and global market spheres. The candy business alone creates some 54,000 job opportunities in over 1,3000 factories in the country.

The exact date when marshmallows were created has been lost to history, but many scholars cite ancient Egypt as somewhat of a starting point for the sweet treat. Ancient Egyptians made marshmallows by extracting the sap from the root of a plant called ‘Althaea officinalis.’ This plant is native to North Africa, Asia, and Europe, and it grows, as you may have guessed, in marshes. Apart from being used to make marshmallows, the plant was also used as an ornamental decoration worldwide. Coming back to the sweet treat, the marshmallow-making process was extremely tedious and laborious in nature. The special final product, mixed with honey and nuts, was only served to royalty and gods, making it off-limits for the public. Over the centuries, the marshmallow went through several changes. From being produced by French confectioners by hand in the 1800s to being produced using machines in the 1900s, marshmallows were being enjoyed by more and more people. The key ingredient, which was the root of the marshmallow plant, was also replaced with gelatin/corn starch as the latter made the process easier and faster. People eat marshmallows in a variety of ways. They have it in milkshakes with chocolate or crackers, or simply toasted.

:https://nationaltoday.com/national-toasted-marshmallow-day/

2025 · National Day Calendar

National Beach Day 2025

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Sunrise at the Outer Banks in North Carolina

Whether we spend time on beaches oceanside, at a lake, or river, they provide recreation all summer long. Swimming, water sports, and sunbathing are just a few of the relaxing things that come to mind. We also enjoy playing Frisbee, volleyball, and long walks. Floating along in the surf on a hot summer day with friends creates memories that last for years to come.

Sometimes, just packing a few icy beverages and a good book is enough to make a beach day perfect. However, we are responsible for caring for the beach, too. Not only should we pack out what we pack in, but it’s also necessary to follow the beach rules, also. Safety and fun go hand in hand.

In 1929, the Knights of Columbus, out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, launched a National Beach Day as part of their convention plans. However, it never took root. Then, in 2014, Colleen Paige, a pet and family lifestyle expert, created National Beach Day to celebrate beaches and the importance of keeping them clean.

:https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-beach-day

2025 · Our Garden/Greenhouse

The End of Summer 2025

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⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀

August is almost over; Sara is ready to go back to school. Summer is coming to an end, and it is time to get prepared for Autumn. The garden needs to be prepared for the Autumn/Winter season. A lot of crops love the cooler days, like cabbage and carrots. That’s also a good time for weeding the garden since the mornings are not so warm anymore. Soon, the migrating birds and insects will visit the yard. It will be good for them to have a welcoming place where they can rest before they have to move on to travel south. In the meantime, I’m sitting outside with a cool drink in my hand and enjoying the last days of Summer.

⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀

2025 · Connecticut

Veterans Memorial Park, Watertown, Connecticut In August 2025

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Since it is my birthday and the weather is beautiful, I walked the loop at Veterans Memorial Park. Summer still has a good grip on Nature. But there are signs that Autumn is near. The temperatures are supposed to be in the 70s for the rest of August and into the first week of September.

When I visited the park, I also got a view of one of the six Seward Johnson statues, which are placed all over Watertown. The town is currently hosting an art exhibition of six life-size Seward Johnson sculptures from August to October 2025 as part of the Watertown Foundation’s centennial celebration.

Another new feature is Noodle, the rock snake. Everyone in town can participate by bringing a painted rock and adding it to the tail end. I’m curious how big Noodle will grow over the next years. Maybe I will capture photos every couple of months and see how far it has come.

2025 · National Day Calendar

National Peach Day 2025 🍑

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August 27 is National Peach Day on the National Day Calendar to celebrate one of summertime’s most scrumptious fruits, the peach! August is prime peach season in the U.S., and we want everyone to enjoy a few peaches. Plus, remember the hardworking peach growers who provide us with this delicious fruit.

Summertime brings plenty of opportunities to enjoy fresh fruits, especially a flavorful, juicy peach. Local farmers’ markets and orchards are picking peaches to deliver to anxious peach lovers. Whether you enjoy a peach by itself or use your peaches for canning and baking, National Peach Day is here to encourage you to celebrate this wonderful food.

:https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-peach-day/

2025 · Our Garden/Greenhouse

An Uninvited Guest In Our Garden

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White-marked Tussock Caterpillar munching on a strawberry leaf

While I walked along my raised bed garden, I noticed a caterpillar on a strawberry leaf this afternoon. First, I thought it was taken over by parasites. When I did some research, I found out that this is the caterpillar of the White-marked Tussock Moth. It is a foe for the garden. And under no circumstances should the caterpillar be touched with bare hands. It can cause rashes and is highly toxic. I decided to clip the whole strawberry branch and toss it.

2025 · Our House

Refurbishing The House ~ The New Basement Windows & Sliding Patio Door

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On Tuesday, the Power Home Remodeling company came over to work on Part II. The basement windows and the sliding patio door were ready for installation. The team showed up an hour early. I liked that. They worked clean and efficiently. And three hours later, we had a new patio door and five new windows. Our cats are still confused that the patio door is open, but they can’t get out of the house as easily as they used to. They still have to figure out the screen door. Thank goodness, it’s made from material they can’t destroy with their claws either. So, they just sit there until someone lets them out. 😄

2025 · Throwback Thursday

Kevin’s Yard Project: The Garden Shed ~ 2021 (Part VII & VIII)

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All the roof panels are up. The roof’s front is shingled. For the rest, we have to wait until “Fred” passes through New England. If that’s even the case. Currently, meteorologists are making their predictions about the potential path of the tropical storm. Nothing is set in stone.

◊◊◊◊◊

Kevin shingled the roof some more. It surprisingly made it through Tropical Depression “Ida”. The shed stayed inside. He also installed the windows and the door. Kevin noticed that the asphalt on our driveway was too high when the door was in place. Therefore, he couldn’t open the left door all the way. He had to cut about an inch and a half off the bottom to make it fit. Once there is a trim on it, the cut will barely be recognizable. Let’s hope he gets the shed done this weekend, latest by next weekend. We need some room back in the garage.

… to be continued …

(08/17/2021 & 09/03/2021)

2025 · National Day Calendar

Black Cat Appreciation Day 2025

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Have you ever feared a black cat crossing your path? This is from ancient superstitions where people thought this meant bad luck. For many cultures and historical settings, black cats were actually meant for positive things. So, to try and dispel these myths about black cats, National Black Cat Appreciation Day was created to be celebrated on August 17 every year.

Today, pop culture loves black cats. There’s the sarcastic Thackery Binx in “Hocus Pocus” and Salem, in “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” and we can’t forget the classic cartoon black cat, Luna, in “Sailor Moon.” Black cats are seen as loyal companions, and this is what they were seen as for a lot of cultures in history, too.

So, who’s to blame for this negative black cat spin? Superstition! But mostly because during the Middle Ages, people (mainly the Catholic Church) saw witches as shape-shifting black cats, and the damage was done. From then on, black cats were seen as evil entities for years and years to follow.

But not everyone sees black cats this way. In fact, black cats are actually welcomed by a lot of people. For some, a visit from a black cat means good luck, and for others, it means prosperity or romance. Hey — in some cultures, black cats are even worshipped. Basically, there’s no need to fear them. On this day, we celebrate our cuddly friends, no matter what color their coat is!

:https://nationaltoday.com/black-cat-appreciation-day/

2025 · Our Forest · Our Yard

Our Yard/Forest In Mid-August (1)

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🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿

1) Bittersweet Nightshade; 2) Silky Dogwood; 3) Sugar Maple;
4) Sunburst; 5) Oak/Sky; 6) Our Forest

🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿🌳🍃🌲🌿

2025 · Throwback Thursday

Kevin’s Yard Project: The Garden Shed ~ 2021 (Part IV, V, VI)

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Kevin got all four walls up. And he is ready to install the roof soon. It already looks like a building. If I didn’t know better, I’d say. The chipmunks were calculating how many acorns could fit in that shed. They keep checking it out when we are “not looking”. I wouldn’t be surprised to find a whole family in there when Winter is over and Spring arrives next year.

◊◊◊◊◊

With some help from our next-door neighbor, Kevin got more work done on the shed. Now, the roof sidings, the roof, and the vent frames are up. Because of the heat wave and the night breaking in sooner, Kevin couldn’t get as much done as he wanted to finish this week. But he installed more framework and got the lawn mowed before the relieving rain and the cooler front came in this afternoon. We are supposed to get temperatures in the upper 50s (about 14 – 15℃) tonight. It’s time to air out the house and eliminate this mugginess.

◊◊◊◊◊

Since it was much cooler, Kevin installed almost all the roof panels and some of the waterproof shields nailed to the roof. He could also put some of the pieces in the shed, so Katelynn can park on the driveway again. Now that the shed starts to look more like a building, I can’t wait to see it finished. I have that feeling, it might be constructed before the original arrival date. The shed is supposed to be delivered by the end of August. Yeah, I think Kevin gets it done before that.

… to be continued …

(08/09/2021, 08/14/2021, 08/15/2021)

2025 · Summer

Summer Rain In New England (1)

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☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧

This afternoon, the sky rumbled for about three hours before it started to rain. We had some storms south and north of us. And finally, the storm came to us. The rain was needed. It hasn’t rained much in August. After the heavy rainfalls in Spring to mid-Summer, we still have some abnormally dry areas in Connecticut. No, the air is much cleaner and cooler again.

☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧☔☀💧

2025 · Autumn · Our Yard

First Signs of Autumn 2025

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🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁

It’s mid-August. And it’s beginning to look a bit like Autumn in our yard. Our Birch tree and the Virginia Creeper are always the first to show themselves in crimson and gold dresses. But as we all know, Summer is not over. The days are still warm, while the nights are cooling down enough to open the windows.

🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁

2025 · Wildlife Wednesday

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)

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The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae) in the family Nymphalidae. Other common names, depending on region, include milkweed, common tiger, wanderer, and black-veined brown. It is amongst the most familiar of North American butterflies and an iconic pollinator, although it is not an especially effective pollinator of milkweed. Its wings feature an easily recognizable black, orange, and white pattern, with a wingspan of 8.9–10.2 cm (3.5–4.0 in). A Müllerian mimic, the viceroy butterfly, is similar in color and pattern but is markedly smaller and has an extra black stripe across each hindwing.

The eastern North American monarch population is notable for its annual southward late-summer/autumn instinctive migration from the northern and central United States and southern Canada to Florida and Mexico. During the fall migration, monarchs cover thousands of miles, with a corresponding multigenerational return north in spring. The western North American population of monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains often migrates to sites in southern California, but individuals have been found in overwintering Mexican sites. In 2009, monarchs were reared on the International Space Station, successfully emerging from pupae located in the station’s Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus.

: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_butterfly

2025 · The Night Sky

Luna & The “Lord of The Rings” ~ August 2025

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🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐

Tonight I watched the waning gibbous Moon and planet Saturn rising in the eastern sky. While I waited for them to appear from behind the tree line, I saw the Big Dipper in the Northwest. Tonight also peaks the Perseid Meteor Shower. I doubt I will last that late into the early morning hours.

The Moon & Saturn:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/132943299@N07/54717883030/in/album-72177720327893880/

🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐🌖🪐

2025 · Our Yard

Our Yard In Early August (1)

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🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝

1) Gooseneck Loosestrife; 2) Common Pokeweed; 3) Summer Sunset;
4) Asiatic Smartweed; 5) Common Pokeweed; 6) Norway Maple

🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝

2025 · National Day Calendar

National S’mores Day 2025

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While the origins of National S’mores Day remain unknown, s’more, the great American camping treat, has a long, delicious history. The first mention of such a treat was in the 1920s in a book of recipes published by Campfire Marshmallows, home of the original marshmallow and still in business today. At that time, the recipe was called a ‘Graham Cracker Sandwich’ and suggested the treat had already been made popular by the Boy- and Girl Scouts. Later, in 1927, the Girl Scouts published a similar recipe in “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts,” but they called it ‘some more.’ Finally, in the late ’30s to late ’50s, various recipes gave the name as we know it today, s’mores.

The ingredients for the original s’mores are one marshmallow, milk chocolate squares, and two graham crackers. The traditional method for making s’mores is by a campfire, and it’s hard to beat that experience. Part of the fun is each person searching for their own long, sturdy stick capable of holding a mound of marshmallows over the fire for toasting. Then comes the toasting debate — how toasted do you prefer your marshmallows? Of course, this leads to a full-on psychological evaluation. Do you set your marshmallow on the fire and blow the flame out once it is burned? Do you allow your marshmallow to hover over the flame and toast to a less-than-charred yet caramelized state? Do you barely get the marshmallow tan? Whatever your preference for marshmallow toastiness, the end result is the same — huge smiles and full bellies. Enjoy your time today with family, friends, and the gooey goodness of s’mores!

:https://nationaltoday.com/national-smores-day/

2025 · Connecticut · New England

Hidden Valley Preserve, Washington Depot, Connecticut 2025

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Last Winter, Kevin mentioned he heard about the Hidden Valley Preserve at work. When it got warmer, he wanted to visit that place. I did some research and kept it on the back burner.

Today, I mentioned the Hidden Valley Preserve to Kevin. It’s warm. But the trails are shaded in the forest. After I packed some essentials, we drove to Washington Depot. When we arrived at the preserve, we walked to Henry David Thoreau Swinging Bridge. It’s a 134-foot-long footbridge that spans the Shepaug River. Kevin and I crossed the bridge to hike at the Bee Brook Loop Trail. From there, we got a nice view of the river. At some point, the trail inclined and led us to a wooden staircase. We walked down the steps to cross another footbridge.

On the other side of the Shepaug River, we walked back on the President’s Trail. The President’s Trail was much narrower. And we had to watch our footing closely in some areas. One wrong step could have sent us down a steep hill toward the river. But we made it back safe to the Thoreau Bridge.

On our hike, Kevin and I liked that the trails were easy to walk. The preserve is clean. We didn’t find any trash along the way, which was very refreshing. The air smelled fresh, mainly from the pine needles covering the trails. We definitely need to visit the Hidden Valley Preserve again. There are plenty of different trails to hike. And it must be gorgeous there during the leaf-peeping season.

2025 · The Night Sky

The Full Sturgeon Moon 2025

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August Full Moon

August’s Full Moon appeared in the afternoon today, reaching peak illumination at 2:25 PM Eastern Time. This evening, look toward the southeast after sunset to glimpse the Sturgeon Moon rising. 

You may have heard that there are four supermoons in a row this year; the August 1 supermoon is the second supermoon of this unusual sequence. “Supermoon” is a catchy term for what astronomers call “a perigean full Moon,” which is when the full Moon happens at (or very near) the exact time when the Moon is closest to us in its orbit.

A supermoon exceeds the disk size of an average-sized Moon by up to 8% and the brightness of an average-sized full Moon by some 16%. You may not perceive the difference in size, but a supermoon will appear brighter in the sky.

Atlantic Sturgeon

:https://www.almanac.com/content/full-moon-august

🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑

2025 · Our Garden/Greenhouse

Our Garden/Greenhouse In Early August (1)

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🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝

1) Love-in-a-Mist; 2) Bachelor Button “Black Magic”; 3)Borage;
4) Nasturtium; 5) Pumpkin Blossom; 6) Roma Tomatoes;
7) Cherry Tomatoes; 8) Cucumber

🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝

2025 · Throwback Thursday

Kevin’s Yard Project: The Garden Shed ~ 2021 (Part I, II, III)

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Our garden shed arrived yesterday, one month earlier than we originally anticipated. It is supposed to arrive at the end of August. So, the plans for getting the master bathroom done have to wait for now. And since the weather was perfect. Kevin used this weekend to start assembling the shed. He made sure he had all the pieces and tools he needed for the building. Yesterday, he worked on the base frame. Today, he leveled and built the floor before he assembled the front entrance frame. After six hours working on the shed, Kevin had enough and needed some rest. His ankle is swollen and on ice, again. But he got something accomplished. It might go slow, but it will go steady. If he works on it for an hour or two every day (weather permitting), he will get it done in no time.

◊◊◊◊◊

The last few evenings, Kevin always worked on his project for about an hour. Monday and Tuesday, he could finish the front wall. That took the longest, because of the window and door spaces. So, he needed to make sure, the studs were exactly lined up with the siding. This evening, he worked on the back wall. The frame and the siding were done in no time. Tonight and tomorrow, it is supposed to rain. We have to wait until things have dried up a little bit.

◊◊◊◊◊

Two of the shed walls are up.

Kevin finished all the wall frames and installed two of them, today. The other two should be up in no time. Then the tricky part will be the roof frame. He’s getting there. One nail hammered in at the time. As of right now, the half-finished shed reminds me of the back walls of an oversized diorama box, my kids used to bring to school.

… to be continued …

(08/01/2021, 08/04/2021, 08/07/2021)

2025 · Our House

Refurbishing The House ~ The New Soffits, Fascia & Gutters

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This Summer we will work on a new house project. We needed new soffits, fascias, and gutters. The soffits started to show signs of rotting, which was due to the overflowing gutters, especially during heavy rainstorms and winter storms. It eventually affected the roof rafters.

Yesterday, Power Home Remodeling came over and installed the soffits, fascia, and gutters. This is just Phase I. In Phase II, we will get new bottom windows and a sliding glass door.

2025 · National Day Calendar

Farmworker Appreciation Day 2025

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A cornfield somewhere south of Temple, Texas

In the colonial era, most farmworkers were indentured servants from Great Britain. They were white men and women, and even children, who exchanged four to seven years of hard labor for passage to the colonies. Some of these workers were recruited through force and were treated as property, with limited rights. They lived in miserable conditions of servitude and abuse.

By the 1600s, indentured servants weren’t plentiful enough, so plantation owners turned to an even crueler method of workforce recruitment: the forced capture of Africans to be converted into slaves. These slaves had almost no promise of eventual freedom, as no fixed period of enslavement was arranged. African slaves became the primary source of farm labor in the colonies over the next two centuries. By the end of the American Revolution, 20% of the population in the 13 colonies was of African descent, the majority of whom were slaves. In 1808, Congress banned the international slave trade, but not the practice of slavery itself.

California became a major agricultural center after the Civil War in the United States. In the aforementioned state, farm labor was mostly imported from Asia. The immigrant labor force had begun to shift to Mexico by the 1930s. During World War II, due to a labor shortage, the Bracero Program was initiated. This program allowed Mexicans to work temporarily on U.S. farms. It ended in 1964, although Latin American legal and illegal immigrants continue to make up the vast majority of the U.S. agricultural workforce.

:https://nationaltoday.com/farmworker-appreciation-day/

2025 · Our Garden/Greenhouse

Our Greenhouse In Early August (1)

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🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝

1) Purple Milkweed; 2) Red Hot Poker; 3) Roma Tomatoes;
4) Nasturtium “Black Velvet”; 5 & 6) Poppy “Black Swan”

🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝🌱🌸🌿🐝

2025 · National Day Calendar

National Sisters Day 2025

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A hug for the big sis.

National Sisters Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August. Nothing can quite compare to the bond that sisters have, and this is a day to treasure the closeness that forms as you grow up together, sharing your secrets, your dreams, and all the fun times. Sisters have a deep connection that grows throughout childhood and remains strong throughout life. National Sisters Day is a chance for you to spend some quality time with your sister and to cherish the connection that you have.

Resource: https://nationaltoday.com/sisters-day/

2025 · Connecticut · New England

Castle Craig In Meriden, Connecticut 2025

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Castle Craig, located on East Peak in the Hanging Hills, is constructed of trap rock and stands 32 feet (10 m) in height, with a base circumference of 58 feet (18 m). A metal interior stairway is used to ascend to the observation deck at the top. It stands 976 feet (297 m) above sea level and provides an expansive view of the greater Meriden, Connecticut area.

On our way back home, Kevin and I drove through Meriden. We have never been all the way up at the Castle Craig Tower. The road is accessible by car from mid-May until the end of September, depending on the weather. After many speed bumps, we made it up to the tower.

On top of the Castle Craig tower, I needed a moment to gather my senses together. Once I adjusted to the height, I photographed the surrounding area of Greater Meriden. I can only imagine how beautiful this place looks with all the different colored leaves in Autumn.

2025 · National Day Calendar

🌻 National Sunflower Day 2025 🌻

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Mammoth Sunflower

Sunflowers are said to be a symbol of adoration, loyalty, and longevity. Their bright yellow color is a sign of happiness, friendship, and intelligence. Much like the sun, sunflowers mirror vibrancy and give off an energy of life. National Sunflower Day reminds us to show our inner sunshine while taking the opportunity to share one of the earth’s most beautiful flowers.

Historically, sunflowers have been around since about 1000 BC. Native Americans used sunflowers as a valuable food source, oil, paint, textile, and during ceremonies. Interestingly, some archaeologists believe sunflowers may have been cultivated before corn. Today, sunflowers are still being used as a source of food, oils, and beauty treatments.

The U.S. is a massive producer of sunflowers. In fact, this bright, beautiful flower is a major crop in both North Dakota and South Dakota. In 2022, North Dakota produced 762 billion pounds of sunflowers. With the average height of a sunflower being five to six feet tall, a sunflower head can grow bigger than a human head. As the weight of the sunflower head becomes heavy, it begins to fall forward, causing the petals to fall off. Shortly after the petals fall off, harvest begins on the sunflower. On average, one sunflower can produce up to 2,000 sunflower seeds per head!

:https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-sunflower-day

2025

Summer Poppies ~ Lughnasadh 2025

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🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾

Blessed Lughnasadh ~ First Harvest of the Year!

🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾

2025

Beautiful Harvest Season 2025 (2)

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🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾

Nature stands at the threshold of Autumn; it is still filled with Summer’s warm, delightful energy, yet there is something in the orange-tinted sunlight that speaks of change. Dusk arrives a little sooner than anticipated. The grain in the field and the fruits and vegetables in the garden begin to ripen.
We celebrate our personal progress and achievements, as well as the harvest at hand. We celebrate, knowing that we must stay focused on the crops that are still ripening. It is a time to reconcile our hopes with our fears. We joyfully receive the first rewards of our efforts, yet we still await the outcome of the remaining crops.

http://www.earthspiritpath.org

🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾

2025

Beautiful Harvest Season 2025 (1)

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🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾

Lughnasadh is the festival of the First Harvest. It’s held on the 1st and the 2nd of August, halfway between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox. The festival is named after the Sun God Lugh It focuses on the First Harvest of crops and offering them to the Deities.

:https://www.instagram.com/witchytips/

🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾

2025

The First Harvest ~ Lughnasadh/Lammas 2025

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🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾

Nature stands at the threshold of Autumn, it is still filled with summer’s warm, delightful energy, yet there is something in the orange-tinted sunlight that speaks of change. Dusk arrives a little sooner than anticipated. The grain in the field and the fruits and vegetables in the garden begin to ripen.
We celebrate our progress and achievements, as well as the harvest at hand. We celebrate, knowing that we must stay focused on the crops that are still ripening. It is a time to reconcile our hopes with our fears. We joyfully receive the first rewards for our efforts, yet we still await the outcome of the remaining crops.

:http://www.earthspiritpath.org

🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾🌻🌾🌞🌾

2025

🌻 Hello, August 2025! 🌻

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⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀

Lazy summer afternoons, walks along the beach,
Balmy evenings, cloudless skies, stars just out of reach,
Sailing on a quiet lake, hammocks in the shade …
These are simple treasures of which August days are made.

◅◊▻

⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀⛵☀