Quintilis

Quintilis Ruby

Playing with oils is easy and control of the medium is hard. For me. 

It doesn't stop me from trying to do something with oil paints now and again, however.

Recently I randomly asked about thirty different people if they knew where the name July came from. A few guessed it: Julius Caesar. When he died, he was honored by his birth month being renamed. Quintilis (the old name) became July. 

I'm waiting not-so-patiently for this couple to mate, nest, and have a few babies, like they did last July. They belong to a flock of seven that visit each morning and afternoon. They love suet. Gobble right through bricks of it like nothin'.

 

But while I'm waiting, there are occasions. 

 Today is the release of my all-time favorite book, in cinema: The BFG. Take a sensational book by Roald Dahl, add the marvelous director, Steven Spielberg, and Disney - and magic awaits! Head to your local movie house, pronto.

 

Whatever occasion may come (or not come) this month, it is the month for ruby. As in the color and the gemstone.

The most luscious shade of ruby in the world of flora comes from the Torch Ginger flower. And you can grow it yourownself and bring a little of Southeast Asia to your garden. Here are some hints for how-to.

In 2003, President George W. Bush introduced the ban prohibiting the import of Burmese ruby gemstones, the most coveted and elite of all rubies. And in 2013, President Obama renewed the ban. (This has to do with the economic sanctions imposed due to all the human rights violations of Myanmar's ruling junta.) But there are still beautiful rubies to be found within our own borders. (And vintage Burmese ruby jewelry comes up for auction regularly, for roughly the same as the price as a car.) My own ruby rings, bought to honor my grandmothers who were both born in July, are gorgeous. And legal. And in 18K gold, purchased before the price of gold skyrocketed. The lesson is: do not put off buying what you love, because the price is probably not going down anytime soon.

Now, in keeping with my young bucks (you can see them in last Monday's post) you should know that this month's full moon, on July 19, is a Buck Moon! The Farmer's Almanac explains the name: "July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur." Which means, I think, that my bucks are early bloomers!

Right now, to celebrate the first of July, I'm sippin' on a beautiful raspberry ruby lemonade...

and wishing you all a July sizzling with fun!