. . . I felt lost and unaccustomed to the quiet schedule. The past two months were overly packed, and now the peaceful lull is overwhelming.

Since August is the only month without a major holiday, it could be called the rejected month, the quiet time or the lull. After the entire hullabaloo of summer events, and before the start of the fall season, it also qualifies as a "lameduck" month - no expectations to plan or complete.

Most of the anticipated vacations, summer sports programs, picnics and family reunions have happened. They are over for this year. Getting board, children might even start longing for school to start. (This longing lasts only until mid-September.) August's 31 days are trapped between all the flurry of summer and the waiting for September which hurls us into the beginning of school and its sports activities, meetings, classes and a new fall season.

However, as I look at my August calendar, I find

it full to over flowing. I

would change "lull time" to "catch up time;" a time to

catch up on all the planned but abandoned home projects. I have penciled in a varnishing project, painting the picnic table, fixing up an old church pew and adding some perennials to my flower bed.

And, besides, August does have some important days. One calendar revealed the following list:

August 2, 1990, Desert Shield began;

4, 1790, U.S. Coast Guard founded;

14, 1945, Japan surrendered ending WWII;

21, Ramadan begins;

21-22, Railroad Days, Staples,

27, Minnesota State Fair begins;

Now, don't you feel better knowing there is something happening in August?

May your day be filled with celebration, catching up or basking in the lull.