The first of August is a ‘holiday’ for me: it is Lammas Day, or Lughnasadh the first day of autumn in the Pagan calender – three month countdown to Hallowe’en.
I associate August with light blue, the colour of the sky. I have on my ‘August blue’ shirt, the first shirt I ever made.
It is the birthday of my Grandfather, and his twin sister, “Grandma Susan”. Grandfather liked dry martinis. On this day I make a dry martini in his memory and honor. Thanks to Facebook, I learned via Facebook my second cousins (descended from Susan) also honor the day with an old fashioned , which was her drink. Bless them both, and all their descendants!
The martini I used to make for Grandfather as evolved over time. Nowadays I like to use proper ingredients and better proportions. Tonight Someone and I will use Hendriks, which is a fancy gin with a tint of rose and cucumbers. I remembered to put two martini glasses in the freezer so the drinks will stay cold in the blasted Arizona summer. I am looking forward to this, for I haven’t had a martini in ages.
So ‘early autumn” starts well – a martini toast to the ancestors, and a trip to Canada. Happy August, or Lammas or Lughnasadh.
And soon, post #2000! how exciting!
15 comments
August 1, 2012 at 5:50 PM
Laurent
August 1 is Switzerland National Day and it is Ontario Day in Canada. Happy Martinis!
August 1, 2012 at 6:11 PM
Urspo
I will be in Ontario in 9 days !! Very excited !!
Sent from nowhere in particular.
August 1, 2012 at 6:32 PM
JimA
Happy Lammas Day my friend.
Cheers!
August 1, 2012 at 7:28 PM
Jay
Be sure to make your corn dolly to bury next spring with the first planting. Happy Lammas to you.
August 1, 2012 at 8:01 PM
Rick
It’s also a beautiful full “cold rain” moon this 1st of August.
August 1, 2012 at 9:12 PM
Erik Rubright
It’s a beautiful color of blue. And the shirt is too.
August 2, 2012 at 3:27 AM
RuralBeard
May August be a month to remember! BTW, I’m a Beefeater man…I must try Hendriks, you make it sound quite delicious!
August 2, 2012 at 3:57 AM
Ron
I do like me a good martini! One is enough to get a proper buzz on. Happy August 1st to you Dr. Spo.
August 2, 2012 at 5:04 AM
Mitchell Block
Happy Lammas Day (is that Fernando or Lorenzo? I know, I know. there’s that second “m”.) I wonder what your grandfather would have to say about a blue martini.
August 2, 2012 at 5:52 AM
Mark
I’m sure your Grandfather would be quite happy knowing that you are having a drink in his honor. m.
August 2, 2012 at 6:10 AM
Harper's Keeper
The martinis were a treat. Having cocktails at home before dinner is a habit we should try to revive…. and then we could start a bridge club!
August 2, 2012 at 3:31 PM
tigerchanter
Happy Lughnasadh!!!
August 2, 2012 at 4:00 PM
jason
It’s the beginning of the scary height of hurricane season. That’s how I see it. Ok, now I need a drink too. 🙂
August 3, 2012 at 8:55 AM
Richard Gabriel
Hendricks has become my BF’s favorite. When we’re out and it’s available, he’ll order it with a cucumber slice.
August 3, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Roger
Apropos of nothing, this weeks podcast of This American Life includes a shrink who only communicates in rhyme. http://www.thisamericanlife.org/
Drink up!