Changing Seasons – August 2026

On the month past and “what’s same-same and what’s different.”

WordPress prompted me to take a look back at a “Classic Material” post from 2024, which got me reading through previous Augusts in reviews. It was a similar experience to scrolling through my Instagram recently, except there are more glimpses into my personal life here than what I share on IG. For example, in August 2019, I wrote:

I started filming little bits and bobs from my life for a bit in August to try to record these everyday moments. I know someday (actually pretty soon) I won’t live here any more and I will miss the little things, like public transit and Korean food and all the cultural opportunities.

And seven years ago, that was true. I vaguely remember beginning 2020 with the mindset to “enjoy every moment of this year, it’s your last in Korea.” (As well as “keep a detailed illustrated travel journal.” LOL! ) No need to explain why the latter didn’t pan out. The uncertainty of COVID times led me to stay for another year, and another, and somehow now the pandemic is six years ago. Crazy!

August of 2026 was a pretty busy month, but I don’t have the best photos to capture the fullness of it. Thanks to the local birding group, I braved the heat and humidity and ventured out into nature more than in past years. I also ventured out on my own and one outing, spotted so many little birds, but felt frustrated I couldn’t confidently ID most of them. But as my friend said to me, “you’ll get there.”

From L to R: Daurian Redstart*, Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker*, Domestic Duck and Mallards, Little Egret, Yellow-billed Grosbeak, Eurasian Moorhen, Yellow Bittern.

*Spotted on my own so not positive on my identifications

On the makes front, I started some daisy granny squares, but haven’t decided what I’ll do with them. Also finished a few granny squares with lambswool from class, the mostly blue one on the top has already been turned into a zippered pouch.

This month, for the first time I checked out Hand Arty Korea, a fair of all things handmade held at the COEX convention center. This was another made-me-smile moment because back in 2019 I would definitely not be here, but rather at the Seoul Stationery Festival buying up cute stickers and memo pads. I had near-zero interest in quilts and cottons and buttons back then, whereas now I hardly bat an eye at stationery.

Over the weekend I sewed up another pair of summer PJ shorts from the leftover striped fabric, AND a pair of cropped house paints from a white fabric slightly dyed with coffee. I smile when I look back on my August review from last year, when I had just made my kitchen curtains. Never would I have guessed a year later I’d be making wearable pants!

While other interests may come and go, reading has always been a constant companion in my life. This month I picked up a few super popular books: I finished Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (was a wild ride, I gave it 4.5 stars for the can’tputitdown factor) and am in the middle of Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (the opposite experience to Yesteryear, it feels like an ambling walk in which I can take breaks and pauses).

A look back at Augusts past: 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025

This post was written as part of the Changing Seasons challenge. You can check out Ju-Lyn’s post to see how other creatives around the world spent their August.