The month of August had turned into a griddle where the days just lay there and sizzled. —Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Lives of Bees

Couldn't have said it better myself, Sue. Plenty of sizzle going on around here. Yesterday we hit a balmy 117. No matter though because Tray and I are beach bound in a matter of weeks. That's right, our annual beach trip is on, and there's a definite skip in my weary step. Throw your best at me world, I can take it as long as my calendar shows some Tray time ahead.

Tracy and I take vacationing seriously. As in if you're the vacation-agenda-making type, you seriously can't come with us. The one thing we do plan is which book we want with us in that beach chair and this year's pick is The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick. Here's hoping we'll all be charmed by Arthur who's described as bumbling and endearing, sweet but not saccharine. Sounds like the perfect book to beat the heat this August.

Posted by Rachel