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'Dog Days of Summer'

old_man_by_the_sea
15 years ago

A period of summer, coined in ancient times, said to be the hottest period of the season in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Old Farmer's Almanac lists it as the 40 days, occurring between July 3 & August 11.

Once believed to be caused by the confluence of the sun and the "Dog Star", Sirius (in the constellation Canis), the brightest star in the night sky.

Popularly believed to be 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" - BradyÂs Clavis Calendarium, 1813

Don't know that any of that still occurs in modern times, but the heat does seem to limit some outdoor activities, especially in the garden. Mine is on auto-pilot, until I can work there, without having to retreat inside every couple of hours to rehydrate and shower! Even the weeds get a reprieve.

Dog Days, bright and clear,

indicate a happy year

But when accompanied by rain

for better times, our hopes are vain

/unknown/

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