I grew up in a dog family, both of my parents were dog lovers. My Dad had a St. Bernard named Heidi that was his “man’s best friend” when he returned home from WW2. She lived in his fraternity and attended college classes with him. She spent nights in the library with my Dad during his three years of law school. After graduation, she moved from Colorado to Wyoming with my Dad as he established his law practice. My Mom grew up with a beautiful, black Cocker Spaniel named Lucy and an English Bulldog named Rebel.

The first dog that I really remember being attached to was a dachshund named Heidi (my Dad used this name over and over). Heidi would walk us to school every morning, across a major intersection, then find her way home. The crossing guard knew Heidi, helping her to safely cross on her return home. After school one afternoon we discovered that Heidi had been hit by a car. We were heartbroken.

After Heidi, the Dachshund, Pierre the miniature Poodle joined our family. Pierre and my Dad would sometimes disappear to the mountains for an afternoon to “convene with nature.” Looking back now, after reading my Dad’s war diary, it’s obvious that my Dad must have suffered a lot of trauma during WW2 and the mountains were his way of finding peace. Pierre was his confidant and hiking partner. Pierre was such a great family dog, he was playful yet empathetic. Pierre died in his sleep, his shiny black coat had become completely silver in his old age. My Dad buried him in our backyard.

Shortly after Pierre’s death, we learned that a neighbor had a litter of St. Bernard puppies, we were ready for a puppy. We eagerly opened the gate to the neighbor’s backyard to a sea of St. Bernard’s. Both parents and their chubby twelve eight week old puppies. Heidi, the second St. Bernard (third Heidi) chose us, she stuck like glue to my Dad.

Everyone in our neighborhood had dogs, there weren’t any cats wandering around, until the summer day that a cat showed up at our back door. Both of my parents were allergic to cats so we knew nothing about them. This cat was odd, always hanging around, doing a figure eight between our legs. I loved her, she was unpredictable and quirky. One day she was there waiting for food and then she was gone. Several weeks after her disappearance we heard meowing in the garage. My Dad surmised that the cat had gotten stuck in the garage ceiling. He broke the ceiling plaster closest to the meowing spot, expecting to extricate the crazy cat that had adopted us. We all watched as my Dad stood on a ladder pulling out not one, but six tiny kittens from the ceiling, the mother cat was nowhere in sight.

Heidi was in heaven, the kittens, who were obviously weaned, became her babies, they spent hours crawling all over her as she laid on the floor, quietly licking their fur. Eventually, all the kittens found loving homes, we never saw the mother cat again.

My daughter’s horse instructor raised Persian and Exotic Shorthair cats in Makakilo, HI. She gave us the most beautiful black Persian male that we named, Lava and a darling tortoise shell Exotic Shorthair female that we named Liliuokalani (Lily). Both beautiful and sweet cats that my children and I adored, we became “cat people!” They were our introduction into the wonderful personalities of cats. We have been lucky to have many cats choose us that have managed to live with our many dogs happily through the years.

International Cat Day was established by the International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2020 and is celebrated on August 8 to honor and appreciate cats. The IFAW is one of the biggest animal conservation and welfare charities. The goals of the organization are to; rescue animals, safeguard animal populations, advocate for more animal protection, and preserve habitats.

The first human record about cats can be found in Ancient Egyptian Civilization’s culture. Egyptians adored cats and considered them to be gods. In America, cats were part of the cargo on the colonization ships to minimize vermin and disease, those cats went ashore and flourished.

According to Forbes magazine, 46.5 million households in America own cats. Forty percent of cat owners got their cats from an animal shelter or rescue. Vermont has the highest rate of cat ownership, the District of Columbia has the lowest. Sixty percent of cat owners are women.

You are invited to participate in International Cat Day by adopting a new kitty or donating to your local cat shelter.

“Time spent with cats is never wasted.” – Sigmund Freud

August is the eighth month of the year and the fifth of seven months to have thirty one days. August is named after Augustus Caesar, grand nephew of Julius Caesar. August is the last full month of summer.

August flowers are poppy and gladiolus. Gladioli represent strength of character, faithfulness, moral integrity, and remembrance. Gladioli are found among Chinese New Year decorations as there many blossoms on a single branch which are good luck. Poppies are the symbol of hope and peace, they are strongly linked with Armistice Day.

The zodiac signs for August are Leo (July 23 – August 22) and Virgo (August 23 – September 22). Those born under the sign of Virgo are detail oriented, dedicated, flexible, independent, modest, organized, and practical. Virgo is an earth sign and is associated with the goddess of wheat and agriculture. Leo’s are vivacious, theatrical, passionate, loyal, and infamously dramatic. Leo is a fire sign and is represented by the lion, the king of the jungle.

August’s birthstones are peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. The peridot is formed under extreme conditions, it can be found in hardened lava. Peridot is known as the “sun gem” and “evening emerald” because of its capacity to sparkle under natural or artificial light. Peridot is synonymous with good health, peace, and harmony. People wear peridot for restful sleep. The spinel is a very soothing stone, it calms and relieves anxiety. Spinel will open your chakras because of its extensive color range, and it will promote physical vitality. In ancient times, sardonyx was used as a stone of strength and protection. It is associated with courage, happiness, and clear communication. Sardonyx is reddish brown with earth tone layers.

August 1 marks the start of Happiness Happens Month. It was created in 1999 by the Secret Society of Happy People. The goal is to spread happiness throughout the world and remind people that they should be grateful for everything they have. Celebrate Happiness Happens Month by smiling at someone, express gratitude, plant a tree, write a positive note, volunteer, and focus on the positives. Enjoy this special month by indulging in activities that make you happy and spread joy wherever you go.

August’s first full moon on Tuesday, August 1 is named Sturgeon Moon for the pre-historic fish who are readily caught in the Great Lakes during this last month of summer. This Sturgeon Moon is considered a “Super Moon,” which means that the Moon achieves fullness when closest to the earth in orbit. This moon will appear brighter in the sky. Later in the month, a second full moon, a Blue Moon will make an appearance. The term Blue Moon is commonly used when we have two full Moons in one month. This second full Moon will peak on Wednesday, August 30, the closest “Super Moon” of the year.

During the August full Moons, we are working with double light; the intensity of the hot summer sun and the peak of the Moon’s illumination. Full Moons are about completing cycles and letting go of things that no longer serve you. It is the perfect opportunity to practice self-care, take time out to be alone and cool down when feeling overwhelmed. Meditating helps with focusing on our body’s signals around eating and resting.

A great way to harness the energy of this Sturgeon Full Moon is by bathing. My bath of choice on these hot summer nights is a foot bath filled with warm water, epsom or sea salt, lavender essential oil, and a handful of rose petals. The Wellness Center of Plymouth suggests that eliminating toxins and boosting immunity are a couple of the benefits of foot baths. A nightly, twenty minute foot bath has a positive effect on sleep efficiency and duration.

August is the perfect month for stargazing. The Perseid Meteor Shower, one of the most prolific showers reaches its maximum between August 11 and 13. You can still see them after their peak, look for them during the new Moon on August 16.

It was on August 28, 1963 that Martin Luther King gave his iconic “I have a dream speech” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. An astonishing 250,000 people were there to listen to the speech that called for the end of racial discrimination and equal rights for all. Martin Luther King’s speech at the March on Washington was more than just a centerpiece of the March; it was a testament to the transformative power of one man and the magic of his words. After sixty years, it’s a speech that can still move people to tears.

August is National Sandwich Month. On August 6, 1762, the first sandwich was created. It was named after the Earl of Sandwich when he requested a meal involving two pieces of bread and a slab of meat. As the story goes, he was in the middle of a gambling game and didn’t want to interrupt it.

Sandwiches are the perfect on-the-go, hot weather food. With a plethora of tomatoes and basil in my garden this month, I’ll be celebrating with a Burrata Caprese sandwich. This sandwich uses classic ingredients; sliced tomato, olive oil, burrata, and house made pesto on freshly baked ciabatta for a mouthwatering meal.

“August slipped away into a moment in time, ‘cause it was never mine.“ —Taylor Swift

The short, dry summers in Wyoming are hot but nights are typically chilly, temperatures can dip into the 40’s and 50’s. That being said, insects stay small or grow very fast.

Attracted to the summer porch light, the Imperial Moth would rest with its wings outstretched on our screen door. Its yellow wings with red splotches can average a span of six to seven inches, the size of a bird. The Imperial Moth’s quiet presence was a welcome summer guest as moths are nocturnal pollinators. Imperial Moth’s lifespan is short, they die shortly after they lay their eggs, just about a week. They don’t harm any vegetation or clothing during their time on earth, they sip the nectar of plants like currants and rhubarb that stay open at night. Grizzly bears, their greatest predator, have been known to flip rocks, seeking the moths that shelter underneath. Moths are a valuable source of calories for Grizzlies.

Imperial Moths, ladybugs, and Monarch butterflies were my favorite insects as a child and I loved the huge dragonflies that we saw during visits to Georgia.

In sixth grade my Science class did an insect unit, which included research on each bug. My Dad helped me with my insect collection assignment, luckily most of the insects we found were already dead as the weather had gotten cooler. We poured over the Encyclopedia Britannica for hours. I felt horrible pinning the butterflies, bees, ladybugs, boxelder bugs, and cricket, in the display. This was definitely the beginning of my awareness of the value of insects in my life.

My Mom would tell us horror stories about the gargantuan bugs she encountered as a child living in the Philippines, always checking shoes and pant legs for tarantulas, centipedes, and scorpions.

I eventually got used to the B-52 cockroaches that would fly directly in my face in Hawaii. It was sweet revenge when one of my beloved house geckos would catch and eat those B-52’s in one bite. I still have nightmares about the morning that the family cat had caught a ten inch centipede that was crawling up my toddler’s bed. That cat ate fresh tuna for weeks for her heroism.

I inherited a terraced vegetable garden upon moving to the Makalapa Crater on Oahu. It was a miserably hot month of no trade winds, I was eight months pregnant with my fourth child, and the bugs were eating everything except the bananas. I was adept at house plants and flowers, but I was way out of my league outside in rows of squash, melons, taro, onions, and ginger. My neighbor was eager to help me succeed as a gardener so he showed me how he would pick the bugs off of his veggies and feed them to his chickens, his backyard garden was thriving. I gave up, the bugs won, the bananas were delicious and our Guinea pigs loved grazing in the compost.

I was delighted while working in my Hawaiian garden to have daily visits from some beautiful Painted Lady and Monarch butterflies. My generous and patient neighbor explained that a group of butterflies is called a Kaleidoscope, that they are very spiritual, they always come with a message. Yellow butterflies symbolize good fortune, good luck, and transformation. Butterflies gravitate towards kind and compassionate individuals.

I have yet to see a Monarch in my garden this summer but a beautiful bluebird greeted me on the morning that my dear mother in law passed away last month. She watched over my garden and my chickens for several weeks and then disappeared. My mother in law was an avid gardener and hummingbird whisperer and was her happiest in her home surrounded by nature.

After participating in the Cornell University Bird Count every year, I researched butterfly counts. The North American Butterfly Association has run the Butterfly Count since 1993. According to the NABA map, there is one group near Snowhill that counts here on the Eastern Shore. The best butterfly counting times are between 10:30 AM and 2:30PM on sunny days. September is the peak time for butterflies, especially Monarchs.

This July heatwave has taken its toll on my water bill and my garden. Everything is wilting and sad so I’ve decided to put all my efforts into providing an autumn butterfly garden. In addition to the sage, lavender, oregano, and sunflowers that are currently growing, I’ve planted zinnias, coneflowers, and marigolds. I’ll be counting butterflies while enjoying my garden in milder weather.

“Just living isn’t enough,“ said the butterfly. “One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” – Hans Christian Andersen

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

The Farmer’s Almanac says that Midsummer celebrates the joy of long, warm days spent outside in the summertime.

Midsummer has always meant the month of July to me. Guests at my parent’s summer cocktail parties would discuss that July was the month that the water in Alcova lake near my childhood home would “turnover”. The picture in my mind is of a Tsunami wave in the lake, but turnover is a real, natural phenomenon. The top layer of the lake and the bottom layer of the lake trade places. In the summer, the air temperature rises, warming the surface water while the bottom grows colder. Turnover is like folding chocolate chips into cookie dough. The average water temperature at Alcova Lake after the turnover hovers around 60 degrees, not very toasty.

My family would spend weekends at the lake, water skiing and sailing. The boat activities were great fun but spending more than a few minutes in the water was not. The adults enjoyed a leisurely powerboat ride through Fremont Canyon with its sparkling clear water and sheer walls over one hundred feet high. My brothers and I would spend hours waterskiing, stopping only to refill the gas tank. Falling while waterskiing was a challenge, the fallen skier would wait in the freezing water for the boat to come back around, while keeping skis afloat. We got really good at staying on our skis because falling was torturous, almost like a Polar Plunge.

Casper Mountain is another magical, year round destination. We’d ski and snowmobile in the winter and picnic and hike in the summer. The base of the waterfalls at Garden Creek is my favorite spot for a picnic. Listening to the cascading waterfalls while sitting amongst Ponderosa Pines and Aspen trees is the most perfect place to eat lunch and tell stories about Crimson Dawn.

Crimson Dawn is a Midsummer’s Eve celebration that began in 1930 when a woman writer and her two small daughters took up residence in a little cabin on Casper Mountain. The writer entertained her children by telling them stories of the fairy folk that lived in the forest near their cabin. The woman was inspired during an early morning walk by the deep red color of the sandstone, and came up with the idea of a world called Crimson Dawn. The mother of two built an entire fantasy world around a story of seven witches, a phantom wood chopper, a blind minstrel, moon maidens, a leprechaun, and three elves. These fictional, friendly residents of Casper Mountain are only active on Midsummer’s Eve. The Midsummer’s celebration that began almost one hundred years ago has continued all these years later and the original cabin is now a museum.

William Shakespeare’s most beloved and produced work is a play called A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It has everything; comedy, drama, magic, passion, fairies, lovers, and clowns. The dominant theme of the play is enduring and triumphant love. Four people run away to the forest only to have Puck the fairy make both of the boys fall in love with the same girl. Titania, Oberon, and Puck are fairies whose magical powers allow them to alter reality. Many characters are tricked into believing that they were dreaming the bizarre events that happen to them.

The realm that Shakespeare creates in A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the world of imagination. The inhabitants of the fairy woods invite us to follow them on the path of endless fantasy. The play ends happily with the fairy rulers blessing the human marriages.

Perfect Storm Players with The Avalon Theater bring the mischief and magic of a Midsummer Night’s Dream to Talbot County for four FREE performances next weekend July 14 – July 16. Cecile Davis Storm and Casey Rauch have once again collaborated to give the audience a wonderful one hour version of the iconic play. It will be pure delight for every member of the family. Don your fairy wings and join in the fun.

Studies have shown that live community theater can open the door to understanding relevant issues affecting society and motivate people to champion change. We learn to better assess words and emotions from ourselves and others as well as respect and tolerate other ideas and values. Community theater has the special power to bring us all together, to help our towns become communities. It offers the best of every world. There are creative aspects, artistic, social, and business aspects for everyone on the stage and in the audience.

“Your creativity has value. You’re not wasting your time dreaming.” – Ron Howard

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

July is the fourth month of the year to have a length of 31 days. July was named by the Roman Senate in honor of Roman General Julius Caesar’s birth month.

July 3 is the full Moon, called the Buck Moon because the antlers of the male deer (buck) are fully grown in July. Full moon names come from Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Other names for July’s full Moon are, Berry Moon, Ripe Corn Moon, and Raspberry Moon. July’s full Moon is a supermoon, it will appear bigger and brighter than average.

A vivacious, red ruby is the birthstone for July, rubies symbolize passion and protection. The blood red color of the ruby is believed to increase energy and vigor. Ruby is said to stimulate the heart chakra and bring spiritual wisdom while shielding against psychic attacks.

According to Good Housekeeping magazine, people born in the month of July are very optimistic and healthy. According to the zodiac, those that are born in July are either Cancer or Leo. Cancer babies are known for being caring, protective, and empathetic. Leo babies are known for being confident, courageous, and optimistic.

The Larkspur and Water Lily are July’s flowers. The Larkspur grows tall with striking blue, purple, or white blossoms. Larkspur is symbolic of a beautiful spirit, it is associated with lightheartedness and youth. The delicate Water Lily symbolizes purity and is easily recognized floating in ponds.

The Native American Zodiac describes the nature of a person’s personality based on the date they were born. Unlike the Western Zodiac, the Native American Zodiac believes that we are all connected to the stars, the universe, and nature as a whole. Animal birth totems provide people a deeper understanding of the animal that represents who they are. The Woodpecker is the spirit animal that connects to those that are born in July. Known for their sense of community and nurturing instinct, people with the Woodpecker birth totem are empathetic and good at listening to others.

Food appears to be a theme during the month of July, we celebrate National French Fry Day, National Mac and Cheese Day, National Ice Cream Day, National Junk Food Day, National Crème Brûlée Day, National Milk Chocolate Day, and National Chicken Wings Day, to name a few. July honors workaholics and the bikini on July 5. July 6 is International Kissing Day and July 7 is Global Forgiveness Day. Get out and jump around on July 20 for World Jump Day and relax on July 22, National Hammock Day.

My husband, Matt and I spent our honeymoon in the Bay Area in July, twenty nine years ago. Matt is a California native and I lived there for four wonderful years. We spent our honeymoon eating fish at Fishermen’s Wharf, and drinking wine at several vineyards. We ate garlic in Gilroy and artichokes in Castroville. We had the most delicious burritos that I’ve ever eaten in Palo Alto. We ate lunch overlooking Monterey Bay while watching the seals and otters frolic and play. We ate pies from Marie Callender’s and had our fill of See’s Candies. It was the perfect, romantic getaway.

“If I had my way, I’d remove January from the calendar altogether and have an extra July instead .” -Roald Dahl

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

As I look back on my childhood, I’m grateful to have grown up in an open minded and loving household. My Mom was a concert pianist and an artist, my Dad, who despised guns, was an advocate for the rights of the Native Americans in Wyoming and president of the local Symphony. Both parents spent a lot of their free time volunteering for the causes that they believed in, the rights of those less fortunate. My parents were equal partners in life, my Mom invested in the stock market and managed the finances. My Dad was an avid cook, he’d come home from his office, loosen his necktie, don an apron, and whip up a delicious dinner. I watched my parents always treat everyone with respect and kindness. My Mom said, “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” My Dad said, “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all!”

As a family, we watched the Vietnam War on tv and my Dad, having fought in WWII was very concerned about my eldest cousin who had been drafted. Most of the news on television when I was a child was a huge bummer but we were glued to the Evening News with Walter Cronkite most nights. My parents thought that knowledge of current events was important. We watched the Hippies take over Haight Ashbury and the accomplishments of the Women’s Movement. After each of the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Robert F. Kennedy, my parents had the burden of explaining these tragedies to four young children. Our nightly dinner table discussions were full of questions as to why these horrific things happened to good people. My takeaway years later is that people do and say horrendous things because they fear change.

During the 1960’s, people had become more aware of the culture of discrimination and intolerance that surrounded gays. Civil resistance exhibited by the African-American civil rights movement and the ongoing protests of the war in Vietnam encouraged many to become more outspoken.

In 1969, homosexuality was illegal and bar raids were commonplace. On June 28, 1969 at approximately 2:00 AM, the police arrived to clear out a Greenwich Village bar called the Stonewall Inn. At first the patrons cooperated by leaving the bar as directed. Within minutes, police began asking for identification. Female officers escorted cross-dressing individuals to the restrooms to verify their sex, which led to several arrests. The crowd outside the bar became agitated as they watched several gay men and women being arrested. The chant, “Gay Power” and “We Shall Overcome” became louder and louder as more and more patrol cars arrived on the scene. People started throwing pennies and empty beer bottles at police vehicles. Inside the bar, some people were being beaten by the police. As one woman under arrest was being beaten by a billy club, she pleaded with the crowd to “do something!” Within minutes the raid of the Stonewall Inn became a full blown riot.

The Stonewall Inn bar’s patrons resisted arrest and rioted for the next few nights.

These demonstrations brought global attention to the plight of the Gay community. Within weeks of the riots, Greenwich Village residents organized into activist groups demanding the right to live openly regarding their sexual orientation, and without fear of being arrested. The Stonewall event marked the beginning of the Gay Pride movement.

A year after the Stonewall uprising, to mark the anniversary on June 28, 1970, the first Gay Pride marches took place in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Within a few years, gay rights organizations were founded across the U.S. and the world.

The Stonewall National Monument was erected in 2016. An estimated 5 million participants commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. In 2019 the New York City police commissioner rendered a formal apology for the actions of the police on June 28, 1969.

Pride didn’t become an annual event just because queer people needed a party. It’s tied to a long history of struggle that shouldn’t be ignored. Pride is celebrated to commemorate the Stonewall Riots and to protest the struggles still experienced in a homophobic society. While Pride is meant to be a time of joy, it is impossible to ignore that the LGBTQ+ community continues to face danger and discrimination, with hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed in the U.S. in 2023. I’m grateful that I’m a resident of Maryland, one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly states in the country. Maryland Senator Ben Cardin released a hopeful and reassuring statement regarding Pride: “I will never stop fighting for your place in policies and visibility in society. You have allies in Congress, and the spirit of Stonewall inside of you.”

Storm and Daughters is definitely celebrating Pride this month, the gorgeous cult figure “Divine” takes center stage in the front window display. “Divine” is a brilliant Maggie Sarfaty design. Pink flamingos, a strong statement of pride and defiance in the face of oppression share the window. Flamingo’s vibrant color and unapologetic nature make them a powerful symbol of LGBTQ+ visibility and hope.

Let’s celebrate Pride by shining a light on hope and joy, with the intention of like spreading like.

“See the good in people and help them” – Mahatma Gandhi

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

World wide Knit in Public is celebrated on the second Saturday of June every year. According to the Ordnance Survey, knitting is one of the top twenty forgotten skills in danger of dying out. Among the other skills are map reading, knot tying, using a compass, handwriting, and identifying trees in nature. Knitting is a craft that is highly mobile, people who knit in public spaces transform mundane into creative. Knitting can be used as a tool for relaxation, to minimize anxiety, to help relieve stress, and as a means to focus the mind.

My mom always had a pair of argyle socks for my Dad on her needles. She also knit the most gorgeous ski sweaters for my siblings and me. Mom taught me to knit when I was eight years old but I became obsessed with crocheting afghans during my college years. I returned to knitting when I moved to Maryland in 1987 after attending the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. The quality of fiber/yarn was mind blowing and inspiring. My first project was a scarf knitted In waffle stitch with a hand dyed baby alpaca wool, I was hooked. Thirty six years later, baby alpaca and merino wool are still my favorites for all knitting projects. I’m currently knitting vegetables, mermaids, fairies, booties, scarves, mittens, and the occasional hat.

Knitting prompted me to learn more about meditation so I read Zen and the Art of Knitting. This book confirms everything I feel when knitting, it is a creative meditation. Zen and the Art of Knitting uses knitting as a metaphor to discuss the unity of all life and the spirituality involved in endeavors carried out with mindfulness. Knitting has been called “the new yoga”, since every knitting session is a great opportunity to disconnect from the outside world, slow down, and focus. By relaxing into knitting, attention can be on breathing, clearing thoughts, and taking the time to be in the moment.

Research suggests that the cognitive demands of knitting can also reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia, as it keeps the brain cells fired up. Just like you have to use your brain to keep it healthy, you have to use your joints to keep them healthy as well. Knitting has been shown to be better than typing by improving and maintaining dexterity and strength in your hands. Knitting helps make cartilage stronger instead of wearing it down, which helps stave off arthritis inflammation.

In the winter months, my favorite spot is in my chair in front of a cozy fire knitting and drinking hot tea. On weekends in warmer months, I love to sit in that same chair, knitting, watching a movie while drinking a glass of rose’. I’ve knit on cross country plane trips, in restaurants in New York City and Florence, and at the Delaware beaches. I bought beautiful yarn at Liberty of London, at Purl in New York City, in Berlin, MD, and in Wyoming, I shop for local yarn whenever I travel. There is a wonderful knitting group that meets at the Dorchester County Art Center on Fridays from 10:30 to 12:00. Wendy Karpavage (who owns a yarn shop) facilitates the group.

I plan to take my current knitting project and my grandchildren to Storm and Daughters for ice cream on Wednesday, June 7 for National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. We will knit in public (my grandchildren are finger knitters) and feast on delicious ice cream!

“Knit your hearts with an unslipping knot” – William Shakespeare

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.

June is the sixth month of the year and the second of four months to have a length of thirty days. June has the longest daylight hours of the year. June is International Men’s Month, LGBT + Pride Month, Great Outdoors Month, and National Oceans Month.

June is a sunny month and by association, June symbols are bright and radiant. One of June’s symbols is the insect, cicada. As a Totem or animal guide, the cicada bears a message about awakening your creativity. The cicada is the longest living insect, which causes them to be a prominent and appropriate symbol of longevity. Several years ago, during a visit to Aix en Provence I was delighted to discover that the cicada features prominently in Provencal folklore. The cicada was sent by God to rouse peasants from their afternoon naps on hot summer days and prevent them from being lazy. Instead of being disturbed by the cicadas, the peasants found the sound of their buzzing relaxing, which in turn lulled them to sleep. Cicada pottery wall vases are found in many shops in Provence, they are thought to bring joy and luck to the family when hung in the kitchen. The cicada is one of my favorite insects so I bought several of the wall vases and hung them in my kitchen, a cheerful reminder of a beautiful trip.

June comes from the Latin Juno (luno). Juno was a powerful goddess who became the protector of Rome, wife of Jupiter, queen of gods, and goddess of marriage, childbirth, and fertility. Summer weddings are very popular, which may have started because of the blessing that Juno bestowed on those wed in her namesake sacred month.

June 3 is the full moon in June, a strawberry moon, the last full moon of spring. The Strawberry Moon was named by the Native American Algonquin tribes that live in the northeastern United States to mark the ripening of strawberries that are ready to be gathered. The new moon (June 18) is associated with beginnings, starting projects, and defining what you want to attract, this is a great day to set monthly intentions. The full moon, on the other hand, celebrates what you’ve manifested and completed — a time for reflection. I open as many doors and windows as possible on the day of the full moon, burning palo santo, sage, or lavender to cleanse the energy in my home.

June’s birth flowers are the honeysuckle and rose. The Greeks believed that the rose was created by the goddess of flowers, Aphrodite gave the blossom beauty and Dionysus gave it a sweet scent. Known as the Queen of flowers, roses have been used in herbal medicines for centuries. Rose water is believed to aid in healing of wounds, hydrating the skin, promoting hair health, and relieving headaches. The scent of roses can produce mood boosting endorphins. In Ayurveda, the rose is thought to soothe the heart and emotions. Studies have shown that rose hip powder reduces osteoarthritis pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Rose hips are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that help support the immune system.

Honeysuckle exudes happiness and abundance. Honeysuckle’s magical energy is emblematic of the sweet life, a vine that conveys the essence of all things that bring pleasure and joy. Herbalists make tinctures of honeysuckle flowers each summer to be used aromatically as a treatment for sinus pressure and relaxation. The scent of honeysuckle is known for strengthening intuition, connecting with our spirit, and heightening our psychic powers.

Most people born in June fall under the sign of Gemini, which means they see both sides of an argument. Appropriately symbolized by the celestial twins, this air sign was interested in so many pursuits that it had to double itself. Geminis are the social butterflies of the zodiac, they can talk to anyone about anything. Gemini is governed by Mercury, the messenger planet of communication. Born on the cusp of spring and summer, charismatic June babies are outgoing and friendly, making them attractive both inside and out.

June is one of three months to have three birthstones, Pearl, Alexandrite, and Moonstone . Pearl has always been associated with calming of the mind and being able to cure stomach ailments. Japanese folklore says that pearls are the tears of mermaids. Alexandrite is sought after for its chameleon like behavior, it is bluish green by daylight and red by night. It is an extremely rare gemstone and a fairly modern one to boot. Alexandrite was first discovered in the emerald mines in Russia’s Ural Mountains on the day of Prince Alexander’s birthday in 1830. The stone is considered to bring good luck, good fortune, and love. Moonstone, according to mythology, can bring magical and beautiful dreams. In some cultures, moonstone is a cure for insomnia and sleepwalking.

“Spring being a tough act to follow, God created June.” – Al Bernstein

Kate Emery General is a retired chef/restaurant owner that was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kate loves her grandchildren, knitting and watercolor painting. Kate and her husband , Matt are longtime residents of Cambridge’s West End where they enjoy swimming and bicycling.