Even at the tail end of another summer that saw much of the area abnormally dry or in moderate drought, green predominates through eastern Iowa. Emerald fields of corn, beans and alfalfa roll to the horizon. While farmers in some parts of the state are already chopping silage, we’re blessed to see crops continuing to thrive.

This is the time of year when I want to bottle the evenings with their gold-etched shadows stretching across the lawn. There are even a few lingering fireflies for my young, bug-obsessed dog to chase. It would be grand to pull a bottle of “Summer 2022” off the shelf next January or February and uncork it for a quick blast of vintage heat and humidity.

August will always carry with it memories of the 2020 derecho. While our farm was hit, we didn’t sustain nearly the amount of damage as friends in Benton and Linn counties. The storm slammed through the area just as I was finishing that week’s edition of the newspapers. With the power out, I held my breath the battery on my laptop, combined with sketchy internet service, would hold out long enough to get the job done. They did.

The weeks that followed were filled with the sound of chain saws clearing tree debris and utility companies trying to rebuild the power grid for not just a few thousand homes but a few hundred thousand. It was a disaster during a pandemic that taught a lot of people the new word we could have all lived without knowing: derecho. With damage estimated at over $11.2 billion, it was the most expensive thunderstorm in history. I’d like to find the joker who said “May you live in interesting times” and run him out of town.

August is the final encore for summer. Even though autumn doesn’t start until the equinox on Sept. 22, August means it’s time to finish up the summer to-do list before Labor Day. Summer staples like library story times, vacation Bible school, community parades, pool parties and sleep-away camps have been checked off. Our gardens are either producing a lovely crop of vegetables or weeds or maybe both. Livestock has been paraded through show ring at the county fair, queens crowned and grand champions’ banners presented.

The state fair is summer’s last hurrah – entertainment and exhibition and crazy food. I’m looking forward to showing my dogs there on Sunday and making a foray out to gather a chicken bacon ranch waffle on a stick. Don’t get me started on fair food. I have a list. Seriously. I have more list than stomach so I’m sure I won’t eat my way through everything I’d like to sample.

Once the fair is over, the focus shifts to back to school and prep football previews. Pumpkin spice lovers eagerly await the arrival of their season. I’ll spend September looking forward to wearing the fleece pullovers and hoodies I’ll be heartily sick of by next spring. Right now, they whisper bewitchingly of cool days and crisp nights and changing leaves. Summer will flirt with fall’s arrival, daring us to turn off the AC or get in a hurry to move summer clothes to the back of the closet.

In the meantime, I’m indulging in the final flavors of summer: peaches, sweet corn, watermelon and cantaloupe. Steaks and burgers on the grill. The occasional adult beverage on the patio in the evening while watching hummingbirds’ territorial battles.

These are the memories I’ll bottle to get me through January days when it’s below zero and the snow is drifted deep.

Comments: Melinda.Wichmann@southeastiowaunion.com

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From staff reports Aug. 9, 2022 1:22 pm

By Steve Corbin, Professor Emeritus of Marketing, University of Northern Iowa, Guest Columnist Aug. 10, 2022 1:21 pm

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The Southeast Iowa Union, an employee-owned source for local, and state news coverage for Washington, Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield Iowa.