Happy Saturday and Happy August!
August is the birth month of three of my four favorite women. My mother, my wife and my sister all were born in this month. And while I don’t believe in horoscopes at all, they all share the reputation of Leos for toughness! Lauren who shares their traits of strength, intelligence and an annoying propensity for being right most of the time, chose to be born in March—no doubt to show her independence!
In celebration of this important month, the poetry and music follow:
POETRY
Mother, Summer, I
By Philip Larkin
My mother, who hates thunder storms, Holds up each summer day and shakes It out suspiciously, lest swarms Of grape-dark clouds are lurking there; But when the August weather breaks And rains begin, and brittle frost Sharpens the bird-abandoned air, Her worried summer look is lost, And I her son, though summer-born And summer-loving, none the less Am easier when the leaves are gone Too often summer days appear Emblems of perfect happiness I can't confront: I must await A time less bold, less rich, less clear: An autumn more appropriate.
Sonnet 29
By William Shakespeare
When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heav'n with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man’s art, and that man’s scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven’s gate.
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
MUSIC
Boys II Men, “A Song For Mama,”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFRW4_46dJg
Stevie Ray Vaughan, “Look at Little Sister”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3woPVQExDsQ
No doubt many have already seen this before…but the sheer joy is worth watching again. Lin-Manuel Miranda at his wedding and “To Life!”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgZ4ZTTfKO8. Other than the inability of some of the wedding party to pronounce “L’chaim,” this is still fun.
Because all my “Leo Ladies” love musicals, here’s a great run through of 22 musicals in 12 minutes, with James Cordon, Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Really a treat!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_TvKH-qEJk
ERRATUM
The following sentence incorrectly (and illogically) said “leading,” rather than “losing” in yesterday’s Musings:
As many feared, Mr. Trump, now behind in national polls by double-digit numbers (and losing in many swing states and traditionally Republican leaning states), has ramped up his allegations that the election in November will be fraudulent and invalid, calling on postponement.
This correction from Dennis Mulhaupt, who has been correcting me for the past 40+ years. I hate that he’s usually right.
Happy August,
Glenn
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