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.

The day my Mom laughingly told the story of losing her keys in the Target parking lot, I was worried. It turns out that she left her keys in the ignition with the car idling. There were other clues that things were not 100% anymore but my Mom at 80 was adamant about her independence. I called my sister and we discussed moving Mom out of her house, closer to one of us. Mom had hip replacement surgery at age seventy and despite being a smoker, she was incredibly healthy. I knew that things were getting serious when Mom started wearing her “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” lanyard. She agreed to assisted living the morning that she couldn’t remember how to walk. Mom lived her last years in her beautiful apartment, her days spent listening to live piano performances, painting with watercolors, going on field trips, and doing chair yoga.

The week in August 2022 that I tested positive for Covid was a hot and humid one, I was able to drag myself outside twice a day to feed my chickens and that was it. I was feverish and had a throbbing headache, I lost my sense of smell and became very forgetful. After four days I drove to Easton to visit my grandchildren who also had tested positive, we were all weary of being in quarantine. Driving on Route 50 was a bit of an “out of body” experience, parking was an absolute nightmare. The starter in my car is push button, no key, so I had to spend a minute reading the button to make sure that the car was turned off. I didn’t want my own version of my Mom’s Target parking lot debacle.

I have had long term Covid effects, my balance isn’t what it was before. I’ve noticed it when riding my bike now. My short term memory is sketchy. To compensate I concentrate on doing balancing poses during my yoga practice and I drink Lion’s Mane coffee everyday. According to scientific studies, Lion’s Mane, Chaga, and Reishi mushrooms are the three most effective medicinal mushrooms for brain health. They help protect the brain from neurodegeneration, boost cognitive function, improve memory, mood, focus, and concentration.

I mentioned my concerns to my doctor during my yearly exam and he suggested an MRI just to alleviate any worries about dementia. I showed up to the MRI without having done my usual research. I had a few moments in the waiting room to google the best and most powerful Mudra as I knew I had to keep very still. Prana Mudra is the most powerful, with tip of the thumb touching ring and little finger. Mudras help to link the brain to the body, soothe pain, change our mood, stimulate endorphins, and increase vitality. I kept my hands in that position for the entire MRI. I made mental spring cleaning lists, recited a few poems that I memorized as a child, imagined myself walking on the beach and swimming in the warm, blue water of Kaneohe Bay throughout the thunderous hammering of the MRI, especially when the claustrophobia crept in.

The day of my MRI results appointment, the nurse gave me a cognitive test which was a bit stressful. She told me to remember three words (apple, table, penny) while she asked me other unrelated questions. I took the three first letters of the words as an acronym, and held onto ATP as a reminder. Then I had to spell WORLD backwards and tell the day and date. When my doctor walked in to the exam room he said; “ Kate, you aced the cognitive test!” I breathed a sigh of relief and jokingly said, “ I thought you were going to tell me that I have a brain tumor.” My doctor then said, “Kate, you do have a brain tumor.” It’s funny what your mind does when confronted with serious news, mine was screaming “get out of here now!!” I listened politely to the name of my tumor and “not cancer” but all I heard was neurosurgeon and tumor. I held my breath and almost ran out of the office. The fresh air never felt so good. It was all so surreal that I started laughing.

May is Brain Tumor Awareness Month. Brain cancer is the 10th deadliest cancer in the United States. Each year in the U.S., more than 23,000 people are diagnosed with brain cancer. My brother-in-law was one of those people who fought a valiant battle with brain cancer and died. He was a man who loved his family, he was full of life, and then the seizures began.

“In May we Wear Gray” – Brain Cancer Awareness Month

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.

I grew up in the 1960s with a “stay at home” mom who loved to shower her children with magical gifts. As the end of the school day approached I would dream about the possibility of a surprise when I got home. One day it was a brand new color tv and another time it was a new red coat and hat to wear on a trip to Washington DC and New York City alone with my Dad.

Winds passing over the Rocky Mountains at high speeds create mountain waves often causing a very bumpy ride from Casper to Denver. Turbulence can go from unpleasant to a “white knuckle” rollercoaster ride due to the invisible “pot holes” in the sky. It was a relief for my nine year old self to descend the airplane steps into the arms of my beloved Grandma. We went straight to the Cherry Creek Shopping Center to buy eclairs for dessert after dinner, and a sparkling new set of “Jacks” at the toy store. I took a leisurely bath pampered by Grandma’s sweet smelling bath salts. I was really enjoying being an only child on this visit.

The next day we flew to Washington D.C., my Dad was scheduled to argue a case before the Supreme Court. My babysitter met us at our hotel, the Willard, and took me to the Smithsonian. We saw the First Ladies’ gowns and the biggest dollhouse I had ever seen at The American History Museum. My Dad and I had dinner at Hogates Restaurant one night and Old Ebbitt Grill the next. During our tour of the U.S. Capitol, we rode on the Capitol subway, an exciting first for me. I learned about tobacco farming and the 40 eggs in Martha Washington’s famous cake at Mt. Vernon. We ate crab cakes at Gadsby’s Tavern in Old Town Alexandria, and visited antique stores afterwards.

We flew from National Airport to La Guardia aboard the iconic Eastern Airlines Shuttle. My dad bought our tickets after having boarded the plane. This was my first stay at the Waldorf Astoria, thanks to my Mom’s Junior League discount. My grandmother, Ruthie bought me the Leisl, Madame Alexander doll from the Sound of Music at FAO Schwartz and took me for the biggest lunch of spaghetti and meatballs I’d ever eaten. My Dad and I visited the Empire State Building, saw the Rockettes at Radio City, and took the Staten Island ferry to view The Statue of Liberty. We spent our last night in New York City in Chinatown, I collected the umbrellas from Ruthie’s fancy cocktails and ate everyone’s fortune cookies.

As I sat in school upon my return from my week “back east” I wondered if there could possibly be any more surprises at home after school. I opened the door and was greeted by the sweet smell of my Mom baking chocolate chip cookies, Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) was right, “there is no place like home.”

The secret ingredient in my Mom’s chocolate chip cookies is cinnamon, replace two tablespoons of flour with cinnamon and roll the cookies in powdered sugar before baking. Delicious!

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.