Benjamin August Rudman

The youngest son of Jacob. An inventor and statesman. A band leader with a wailing clarinet. A mischievous little bunny. "Benjamin."

What about "August"? Beside being the given name for young Gus's everywhere (a.k.a "somewhere"? Am I the only one who thinks the name can be used for those other than potential gas station attendants and orange cats?), "August" has a respectable history. The most prominent African American play write of the 20th century was an August. "Augustus" was also the name of Julius Cesar's adopted son who would rule in his place following his assassination. And then there is "Augustine" - the wicked saint and author of a very long book that I read in grad school. His younger days were spent in "loose living" (not my terms but http://www.catholic.org/ 's). His eventual conversion makes him "an inspiration to many who struggle with a particular vice or habit they long to break," as well as the patron saint of brewers. Interestingly enough, Adolphus Busch named his son "August" after teaming up with his father-in-law, Eberhard Anheuser, and starting a little brew company of their own. Since then, four boys named August have been born into the family beer business.

And then there is the month of August. Sleepy heat of late summer and last days of freedom before school starts again. This August snuck in just under the wire and exactly as predicted, on August 26th, 2008.