It's August ... has been for a few weeks in fact, as you probably are aware. It struck me the other day that August, despite being one of the hottest months of the year, is so much less summery than July or June.
I guess it's the elements that signal the approach of autumn. Not that the leaves have started to turn yet, though the Burning Bushes have begun to develop a little red. I notice it more in the newer and vegetable gardens.
It's getting hard to find the onion row and the turnip and beet rows are almost concealed by weeds. I even have to look harder to find the peppers.
It seems that in August, that enthusiasm for keeping the garden clean of weeds just has waned. Part of it I guess, is the feeling of futility. We've been pulling weeds out of the same ground all summer long and they're still there.
Part of it also is that August heat has left the ground harder than it was earlier in the season add the darn things just don't pull out as cleanly as they used to.
Part also is the feeling that, "Well the plants aren't doing all that badly with the weeds. They're mature and bearing and just don't seem to mind the competition for water and nutrients. In fact, I'll bet they like the shade from the weeds."
A Sunday magazine a few weeks ago rim a cover story that considered whether NASCAR had supplanted baseball as “America's Pastime," The story led me to remember a thought I had had a few weeks before, as a highly touted NASCAR super speedway race degenerated into an economy run.
Lap after lap after lap they went round. Practically the only passing was done in the pits and crew chiefs made their choices of two- or four-tire changes. It reminded me of the remark I had heard long ago that the advantage of baseball is that you can go to a game and read a book and not miss anything.
Many of NASCAR's events have taken on the same pallor.
Long ago, I read a suggestion in a car magazine for a change in format for television coverage of motorsports. The writer suggested that races could be carried on prime time TV and attract a reasonable audience if they just didn't try to carry the whole thing.
Save the live broadcast for the last hour or so of the event. Open with a
description of the significance of the race, describe the starts, cars and favorites and then show tape of the strut and any highlights that had taken place. Then broadcast the last 45 minutes or so of live action.
The concept has a certain appeal.
I've been reading more about the trials of Ohio State runningback Maurice Clarett. He is being suspended for what athletic director Andy Geiger will only describe as "multiple games."
The preemptive suspension is the result of possible improprieties in several areas. Clarett may have inflated the value personal property that was stolen from a car he was driving. His use of the car may have been improper under NCAA rules and he may have gotten some academic advantages not available to the average student.
Clarett was not allowed to Practice for much of the preseason. He now is allowed to practice on the scout squad running plays that the upcoming opponent uses, but will not be in uniform for the season opener this weekend.
It crossed my mind that this is such an opportunity for Clarett. This is a test of his character and a chance to show himself, the football world, and (dare we say it?) the NFL what he is made of.
So far, it appears that he is doing the right things. The scraps of information being allowed out of the Horseshoe indicate that he misses being part of the team, is taking responsibility far his actions and is eager to get back: to contributing to the Buckeye's success whenever the powers-that-be say that he can.
I hope he continues.