The end of August is my favorite time of year, to be certain. It marks the days of the Virgo, and while astrology is not something that I personally follow, I cannot deny that many have come to me to ask if my birthday falls between August 23rd and September 22nd. I'm told that I "just scream, 'Virgo!'" Reading documentation, I am not so sure that this is all that complimentary...nor is it comforting that Miles nods knowingly as I read aloud:

Mercury, planet of the intellect, rules Virgo, giving Virgos an analytical approach to life. That communication is important to Virgos is aptly demonstrated by the fact that so many of them are very talkative, despite their natural shyness. This, coupled with their wide vocabulary and intelligence, often loses their companions' interest. They love books, magazines, and writing. With a critical eye for organization and detail and their constant search for perfection, Virgos have an irresistible urge to improve everything and everyone, whether they need it or not. While Virgos are unassuming and non-egotistic, they can sometimes be gossipy, nosy, and nagging. They may appear to be passive-aggressive.

Last night, Debbie returned from the grocery store with apples...lots and lots of apples...and pie crusts. Someone's birthday is arriving in mere days, she told me. Someone who likes apple pie. Someone who likes her Aunt Debbie's apple pie best of all. (I think it MIGHT be for me! Shhhh!)

So, in retrospect, I might just be a companion-less perfectionist talking to myself in an empty room...but at least I still get pie, and that really isn't such a rotten trade-off!