Dog Days -- hot, still, breathless weather -- an evil time "when the seas boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies" according to Brady’s Clavis Calendarium, 1813.
For more information on the origin of Dog Days, check out Wikipedia. (We won't tell Maggie the part about sacrificing a brown dog . . .)
The Old Farmer's Almanac identifies the Dog Days as the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11, coinciding with the ancient heliacal (at sunrise) rising of the Dog Star, Sirius. These are the days of the year when rainfall is at its lowest levels.
For more information on the origin of Dog Days, check out Wikipedia. (We won't tell Maggie the part about sacrificing a brown dog . . .)
22 comments:
I can believe about th' low rain-fall...
Cool beans on the photos, heh, heh...
Maggie is one very relaxed dog! I'm guessing there are parts of the house that she has claimed for her own?
Maggie is sooo cute! The slight showing of her teeth conveys her message perfectly.
Normally we'd be in the dog days here, but it's been unseasonably cool. Most welcome, but I'm afraid the hottest weather will come in September and October, right in the worst part of fire season.
What an interesting explanation. My dog, Amy, objects to the description however as she states that at the moment it is cold, wet and windy. More like duck days.
I feel how Maggie looks ... just kind of out of it and wanting to be left alone. The heat/humidity has taken it's toll .. counting down til fall, we will have a fall, won't we?
ha. but well on their way at this point...its been cooler of late so its been nice...
I had to run Sir Winston out of the room before reading this one! He's royalty and brown and a sacrifice would put him in a bad way!
Soooooo coooooool!
Elora
Loved the what? photo. lol
This brought back memories of my childhood, because we always referred to the dog days of summer. I don't hear that so much anymore. My mom was very superstitious during this time but I don't remember why. I'll check out Wikipedia and see if it rattles my brain any.
It is definitely dog days here!
Subby -- we need rain too.
Martin -- actually, Maggiw is pretty sure the whole house is hers. She IS the Queen, after all.
Yep, Victoria, I realize that that not all of us are suffering just now. Unseasonably cool sounds so pleasant...
No dogs were harmed in the posting of this blog, Amy and Sir Winston.
Loved the pictures! And also the information on "Dog Days". All I know is everyone seems a bit off in the head right now and mighty cranky! We did get a half inch of much needed rain this morning though after a bizarre lighting show. Not sure if the temps will drop or not.
Tammy
Came in from mowing grass before the heat index reaches its predicted 103-106, and saw the pictures of Maggie. Is it a sin to be envious of a dog?
Glad you got some rain, Tammy -- we've got a 50% chance today. Hoping and hoping. . .
Maggie has the art of relaxing down to a science, Bo. And what in the world are you doing out with a lawn mower in this weather?
Hmmm! Larry tells me it's unbearable in Knoxville too, Vicki. England is a good place to be in the summer! although this summer has been very dry here - until yesterday, when it more than caught up. Just keep ticking the days off. Autumn is coming.
Blessings, Star
Dog days...right here, now..awful!
Maggie- stay cool!
Cool!
Oh, I'm holding that thought, Star, believe me!
Maggie DEFINES cool, Lyn ans Miss Yves --except when it thunders.
That dog has the right attitude! ;-)
I am writing this while outside a summer storm with strong lightening and thunder is releasing its might, pelting rain against the windows and keeping me awake. I am looking forward to opening the windows later, to let in the cool night air.
I want to BE Maggie!! Looks like heaven to me!
Merisi - Oh, the joy of listening to a summer storm at night!
Rick -- Actually, more than one person has called our place 'Dog Heaven.'
Maggie's got it-that's about all I want to do during Dog Days too : )
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