An Evening In August

 I always think of  W.S Merwin's prose, "August", this time of year and certainly today at 92degrees.
We walked to the local farmer's market, on dry, brittle grass. We passed a  60 year old fig tree, laden with ripe figs and hornet's nests.
I decided to pull all the herbs and vegetables out of the fridge, strike the grill and make a Summer salad. I skewered and grilled,  Moroccan spice-rubbed beef,  corn and onions, prepared a  mixed salad of greens with various herbs with lemon/virgin olive oil dressing, slicing radishes, grilled and chilled red peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes.  I halfed figs and sprinkled with toasted,slivered, almonds and cardamon, chopped mint, touch of honey. We toasted, as the sun was setting, listening to the local college band practicing for football season, with a Saffron cocktail.

Saffron Cocktail
Make a simple syrup of  2 cups water, bring to boil and dissolve 1 cup sugar and large pinch of saffron.
Set aside and chill.
In chilled glass filled with ice,
add one part vodka,
one part saffron syrup
and fill glass with sparkling soda.