I Simply Remember These Favorite Things with Dr. A ~ August 2025
“Hello August, please be kind. I am still recovering from July”
Anonymous
For many people, August marks the gradual decline of summer. After all, after August comes autumn and then the dark cold winter. However, while summer's warmth diminishes in some places, the heat stubbornly remains in many others. Regardless, August offers a wealth of beautiful plants, vibrant gardens, books, shows, and a many more places to visit. Here are a few.
A Plant - Hibiscus ‘Cranberry Crush’
The perennial hibiscus have always been a favorite of mine. Yes, there are some problems, such as slow emergence in the spring, aphids and other critters, but when in flower, they are tough to beat. I have seen ‘Cranberry Crush’ flower beautifully ln England, Georgia and Montreal. (the photos are from my sister-in-law’s garden in Montreal) Now, that is a diverse range of climates. They flower in early summer and will continue to do so for at least 6 weeks - if not until frost.
Hibiscus are available both as tropical (annuals in the garden) and hardy forms. Check the label carefully, they all look alike.
Hibiscus ‘Cranberry Crush’ in a Montreal garden
A close up of the handsome flower
A Garden - Frederick Meijer Garden, Grand Rapids, MI
When we lived in East Lansing, MI for three years, we were able to see much of that great state, including the city of Grand Rapids. One of the special treats there is the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Spectacular Japanese gardens, English perennial gardens, farm gardens, walking trails and even a rooftop garden. The conservatory is wonderful and the maintenance exceptional
The garden is perhaps even better known for the wonderful works of art throughout the grounds. Not only are they impressive as individual pieces but they complement the floral settings beautifully. I can’t wait to get back there again.
A Book - When The World Fell Silent
Author: Donna Jones Alward
Historical fiction
Some books claiming to be historical fiction have very little history within, and while the fiction may be enjoyable, I am left dissatisfied. This book brings to light a catastrophic event in history, but one that I would bet is unknown to most of you. In 1917, World War I was still raging in Europe, and the harbor at Halifax, Nova Scotia, was crucial to Allied shipping, which carried men and supplies to the Allies overseas.
On December 6, two ships collided in the harbor, one catching fire and floating toward the jetty on shore. Such a sight attracted hundreds of people, but unbeknownst to anyone, that ship was laden with munitions, TNT, and picric acid. At 9:06 am, the ship exploded, killing over 1800 people, injuring thousands more, and destroying more than 12,000 buildings. It is, still to this day, the largest man-made non-nuclear explosion in history. The story is told through the lives of two remarkable women and their families—an excellent read, and a reminder of so much long-forgotten history.
A Show/Movie- Lewis
As a fan of English mysteries, I have always enjoyed the works of Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, and the Midsomer Murders series. There is lots of murder and mayhem in most English shows, but there is far less blood and guts, which suits me just fine. In Midsomer Murders, at least three people are murdered each episode, and the same seems true for Lewis.
Lewis is a Detective Inspector in Oxford, England, and is forever confronting dubious and devious characters, usually associated with the hallowed halls of learning. As a reminder for old-time English mystery fans, Lewis was the understudy of Detective Morse (another excellent series), and he has now taken his place. His protégé in this series is Hathaway, a brilliant young man who also knows his way around the classics and religious theory. They make an extraordinary team. Like all English mysteries, there are no straight lines between the evil deeds and their solving of them. Nine seasons, enjoy.
A Place - Lunenberg, Nova Scotia
Going to Canada’s maritime provinces is always a treat, especially in the summer. The South Shore of Nova Scotia finds some of the most idyllic places in the province. If flying, start in Halifax - enjoy the capital, but be sure to explore places like Chester, Peggy’s Cove, and historic Lunenburg. Lunenburg has dozens of wonderful sights; one of my favorites is visiting the Bluenose II schooner. The original schooner was built in 1921 and was the fastest fishing vessel in the North Atlantic, holding that distinction for 17 years.
She was wrecked in a storm in 1946, but she was such a provincial and Canadian icon that she has adorned the Canadian dime since 1937. Bluenose II, a replica of the original, was built in 1963 and is harbored in Lunenburg harbor. By the way, the term "Bluenose" originated as a nickname for Nova Scotians early in the 18th century.
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