Photos taken by Ashlee Paige Matthews-McDonald | “August is the slow, gentle month that stretches out the longest across the span of a year. It yawns and lingers on with the light in its palms.” — Victoria Erickson | |
Before I get into this month known as August, I must first announce, if you are not on Facebook, the following:
| I’m so happy to share with you that my granddaughter, Haylie Peyton McDonald, won in the Coming of Age Category The Reader’s Choice Award for her book. | |
Haylie also won the 2026 Christian Literary Awards Children’s Author Award for her contribution to Christian Literature.
I won, in the Children’s Category, The Reader’s Choice Award for my children’s book.
| In addition to Coat of Patience winning the Reader’s Choice, my illustrator, Leigh Vashey, won the 2026 Christian Literary Awards Illustrator of the Year. | We both have so many people to thank. All of our readers, our friends, and especially our family who supports and loves us unconditionally. | A special thanks as well to Joy & Company, who never fail in their efforts to support Christian authors and who always put on a spectacular Christian Literary Awards Show. | |
That night another private event took place that I consider a story worth sharing.
My granddaughter and Haylie’s little sister, Finley, came to me and asked if she could write a book too, as Haylie did, and if I would help her. I told her, of course, I would. She wanted to write a book about art. She said her art teacher in first grade helped her learn a lot about art, and she really liked her. So we sat down together, with me asking her questions about the story she wanted to tell. Eventually, between the two of us, the story developed, and she was satisfied. Then she said since Haylie and I were going to the Christian Literary Awards, she wanted me to give a copy of her book to Ms. Joy, a copy to Ms. Rose, and a copy to Ms. Rosemary. I thought it was the least I could do.
And so I did….❤
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Needless to say—they loved it!
The magic of books sparks our imagination. They take us to places unknown and introduce us to characters we love and characters we couldn’t possibly love. Books provide us with information, history, poetry, and so much more.
As Haylie would say, love and peace to you all!
The 2026 Christian Literary Awards rocked the house!
Now back to that crazy month of August!
You realize that now August is here, there will be no slowing down that thief known as “Time.”
I’ve always known that time is a thief. I see it every year that passes, and my grandkids seem to grow by leaps and bounds.
When I look at my three daughters, ages 54, 47, and 44, I certainly don’t see three grown women. I see the baby I held in my arms, the toddler playing in the backyard, or the little girl just starting first grade. Those years went by so quickly. But then I look at my oldest granddaughter who is now married with two kids of her own. That makes me a great-grandma!!!!
TIME IS A THIEF!!!
August is officially here, and it will fly by. It brings us the first day of school—August 11, 2026, in my area.
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Although August marks the peak of summer and summer vacation, it also puts us closer to the end of summer.
The August heat here in the great state of Texas is always spectacular! I don’t mind it, but many of my friends call it the worst time of the year. 😊 I get teased a lot for loving the heat. I’m okay with that.
There are a couple of fun things that happen in August. It’s my husband’s birthday and my grandson’s birthday.
Since their birthdays are so close together, they like to share the celebration.
My husband’s birthday is August 4th and my grandson’s birthday is August 9th. The party is typically Noah-style, which means dinosaurs. The cake will be spectacular. I’ll be sure to put it all in my September Newsletter. To say they are a couple of wild and crazy guys is an understatement! 😊
| As August moves forward, we begin to see the end of the hot Dog Days of Summer. | |
It also features the Perseid meteor shower. This is one of the brightest shooting star shows of the year, peaking in mid-August.
Plus, August features the full Sturgeon Moon, which is named by native tribes for the large fish easily caught in lakes near summer’s end.
If you don’t like all this heat, you can always stay inside where it’s cool and do some summer cleaning. I’m proud to say I did a massive amount of summer cleaning. But to tell you the truth, I would have rather been out in the heat!
My house does look nice though. 😊
| The best thing you can do for yourself and others is |
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Some interesting trivia about August.
Which rock and roll legend sadly passed away on August 16, 1977?
Elvis Presley
What light meal/snack was created on August 1762 in England?
The sandwich
On August 24, 79 AD, which infamous volcano erupted, destroying the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum?
Mount Vesuvius
What 1939 classic musical film had its grand Hollywood premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on August 15, 1939?
The Wizard of Oz
On August 13, 1961, construction workers began tearing up the street and erecting barricades in a divided European city, beginning the creation of what iconic Cold War barrier?
The Berlin Wall
On August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops marched into Washington, D.C., and set fire to what landmark executive mansion?
The White House (known then as the Presidential Mansion)
What movie made history in August of 1984 as the very first film released in theaters with a PG-13 rating?
Red Dawn
What US President died suddenly on August 2, 1923, and on the next day what US President took office on August 3, 1923?
Warren G. Harding / Calvin Coolidge
| | What’s Going on In August | | |
There are no official national holidays in August, but here are some nationwide observances:
August 2: National Friendship Day (I like that one!)
August 4: Coast Guard Day
August 19: National Aviation Day
August 26: National Dog Day
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Since I’ve already covered CLA 2026, July turned out to be one of the busiest I’ve had in a long time.
First: 4th of July
How was yours? Did you spend time with your family and friends? Did you eat way too much?? Did you get the chance to see fireworks, and were they spectacular?
| | We were able to spend time with my husband’s brother, sister, and her husband, and our niece. It was a fun time as they were here for several days. So we not only got to share 4th of July with them, we did a whole bunch of other stuff. | | |
What would 4th of July be without a McDonald Kid’s photo!
Second: Much to my surprise on July 12th, my grandson, Dylan, came for a visit. He and my daughter, Noel, planned this surprise back in April. They kept this secret all that time. It was the best time ever! We took him everywhere. Each day was a new adventure. He even bought a Stetson!
| | I make no claim to having anything to do with this silliness. | | But this one…touches my heart. | | No visit is complete without a visit to Pappasitos! | |
Third: My mother’s birthday in heaven.
Evelyn Bell Stone
She defined the word character. Mother was born in 1916, which would have made her 110 on July 23rd. She was truly a rabid Braves fan, a lover of books, and especially a lover of the Lord. She felt no shame in praising the Lord aloud regardless of the setting. She loved her grandkids and great-grandkids like no other. Looking back on our relationship, there’s no denying that we shared many ups and downs as mother and daughter, but I always knew in my heart that she loved me and wanted the best for me. She went on to be with the Lord September 13, 2014. I know we will see each other again. Of that, I’m certain.
I miss her still.
| | Fourth: Last but not least, on July 24th my husband, David, and I celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary. From the day we said our “I Dos” until now, it’s been a life of joy, sadness, laughter, tears, but most of all love. We’ve accomplished many things together. Our best accomplishment came in the form of Sandi, Noel, and Ashlee. It has extended to Danielle, Skye, Dylan, Haylie, Finley, Noah, Reece, Bennett, and on to Jeremie, Kevin, Tim, and Chris. I’d say that’s an awesome 50 years of living! | | Upcoming Projects & Events | | |
Work continues!
Past Tense
A new non-fiction collection of short stories.
As I’ve mentioned, it’s going to be an ongoing project as I’ll be working exclusively on it throughout the year of 2026.
Please keep those prayers coming, that God will continue to bless my work so I can provide good Christian books for our precious kiddos and the grown-up kiddos as well.
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If you’re in the market for books for those kiddos in your life or even a book for yourself, check out my website for info regarding each of my books.
Remember, if you never stop reading, you’ll never stop imagining, and you’ll never stop learning.
| | For Elizabeth Marie Hutchinson, meeting Pappus turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened. Now that Pappus had helped to solve Elizabeth’s problem with her best friends, it was time to deal with Margaret Callahan. Only how does anyone deal with Margaret? She is without a doubt the meanest, most conceited, brattiest girl in the entire school. How could Elizabeth have promised Pappus she would try to be friends with Margaret? What had she been thinking? Why would anyone want to be friends with Margaret in the first place? But she couldn’t turn back now. Elizabeth knew that once you made a promise you had to keep it. Now was the time to put Pappus’ plan into action. How would she ever keep the plan a secret from her best friends? Although Pappus came through for Elizabeth before, she wasn’t sure he could do it again. Dealing with Margaret seemed beyond impossible. Even for Pappus. | | August is great because you don’t even have to exercise to burn calories. You just stand outside and sweat! | | Image generated by Google AI Nano Banana 2 | | |
Here’s another recipe from Our Class Recipes Book from 1988.
Provided by my youngest daughter’s class when she was 6 years old. This is so much fun!
Recipe #3 – SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
3 16 oz cans of sweet potatoes
2 sticks of butter, melted
¾ cup sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 Beaten eggs
Cook potatoes till well heated; drain. Whip potatoes with a mixer and add all of the above ingredients. Put into a baking dish. Mix topping ingredients listed below with a fork. Put them over the potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Topping: 1 cup brown sugar
1/3 stick butter, melted
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans
Happy Baking!
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Looking forward to seeing you there.
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About Regina
Regina Stone Matthews was born in Columbia, South Carolina. She attended Therrell High School in Atlanta, Georgia, and West Georgia College in Carrollton, Georgia. Currently, Regina resides in Richardson, Texas with her husband, David. She has three daughters and six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild . She is the author of sixteen books. Eleven are children's books. Five of the eleven children's books are award-winners. She is also the author of four non-fiction books all of which contain a series of short stories. One of the non-fiction books is an award-winner. One is an anthology book.
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