The Month of Mighty Caesar

Happy July 1 everyone! Summer is in full swing; the birth month of the Roman emperor Julius Caesar is here. July also contains the birthday of our country, birthdays of two of my brothers and two nephews and a beloved horse, Chappo.

July abounds with customs and old sayings. Here’s one: If the first of July it be rainy weather, ’twill rain, more or less, for four weeks together. Let’s test this saying. Is it raining where you live? Here in NW Arkansas, the sky is cloudy and looks like rain. We had a shower yesterday. Does June 30 count? Probably not.

I remember an old saying from my childhood: It never rains nights in July. Last year, that old saying was broken many times over, all month long.

This is also Canadian Independence Day. Happy Independence Day, Sharon, and my other Canadian friends.

Some Julys break all old sayings and traditions. Isn’t that great? I love it when months don’t act as they are expected to act. Darcy and Flora experience just such an unruly July in their fourth cozy mystery, Grave Heritage. It was the rainiest July anyone could remember. How odd! How strange! And, as it turned out, how scary, as it provided a backdrop for a lot of mysterious happenings.

Trotting to the front porch, I could hardly believe the scene in front of me. Lee Creek, our pleasant, clear little stream, was quiet no longer. Its muddy waters foamed and tossed. Over-running its banks, it surged against the lower part of the yard, lapping hungrily at the grass. Only a few more inches would put it over the bridge. No longer a pleasant accompaniment to the sounds of nature, it thundered like a hundred runaway horses.

Whether you have rain or a dry spell, may your July begin and end nicely, peacefully, with no floods or droughts or murderous people rampaging through your county. May you enjoy lots of hot, eye-opening mugs of coffee, good friends to share it with, and a whole bunch of cozy mysteries to keep you company.