Birthstones, August night sky highlights, National Watermelon Day

This is an archived issue of our Almanac.com Companion email newsletter.

Daily Newsletter for Friday, August 2, 2019

melon

It’s ripe, the melon 
by our sink. Yellow, 
bee-bitten, soft, it perfumes 
the house too sweetly. 
–Albert Garcia (b. 1970)

 
Friday, August 2, 2019
 214th day of the year


Tim Wakefield (baseball player) was born on this day in 1966.
Francis "Frank" Gouin (plant physiologist) died on this day in 2018.
 
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Birthstone for August

 August Birthstone: Color and Meaning
August’s birthstone, the peridot, is a light green, ancient, cosmic birthstone that has been found in volcanic lava in Hawaii—and in meteorites that have fallen to Earth. The Egyptians called peridot the “gem of the Sun” and believed it had special healing powers.
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National Watermelon Day

 National Watermelon Day: August 3
August 3 is National Watermelon Day and one of our favorite holidays in August! Watermelon is the perfect treat for this early August day (and any summer day, really)!
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The 2020 Old Farmer's Almanac Engagement Calendar
A highly useful daily planner full of humor and useful advice. It’s an indispensable tool for managing your life and keeping yourself organized. Includes plenty of room for jotting down appointments and notes.  
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$14.99
 
Night Sky Highlights

 Night Sky for August 2019
Welcome to the Sky Watch for August 2019. Bright Jupiter and Saturn are wonderfully positioned this month. See more highlights of the night sky by Almanac astronomer Bob Berman.
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The 2020 Old Farmer's Almanac Country Calendar
Scenic photographs, country musings, fun facts, humor, and advice. Plus best days to fish, plant, set eggs, harvest crops, and cut hay.
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$10.99
 
Onion Plant Care

 Onions
Onions are a cold-season crop, easy to grow because of their hardiness. Here’s how to grow an endless supply of onions in your garden!
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The 2020 Old Farmer's Almanac ☼ Collector's Edition
Special hardcover edition with new, useful, and entertaining matter! Also featuring astronomical tables, tides, holidays, eclipses, and weather forecasts for all 18 regions of the United States.
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$16.95
 
Watermelon Fruit Basket

 Watermelon Basket With Honey Lime Dressing

This Watermelon Basket With Honey-Lime Dressing recipe is one of our favorites. The combination of fruits work really well together and the lime dressing adds a festive flare!
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The 2020 Old Farmer's Almanac Everyday Calendar
Nicely illustrated page-a-day desk calendar that fits perfectly in a Christmas stocking! Makes a great stocking stuffer! Start each day with a tidbit of Almanac fun: weather wisdom, quirky historical facts, useful hints, and time-tested proverbs.
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$14.99