by Joanne Wiklund
With the Heat Index over 100 degrees, those of us who grew up without air conditioning or sometimes even a fan really appreciate it. As children, we found whatever cooler place than our upstairs bedrooms to crash, indoors or out. My two oldest brothers would build a tent over a clothesline in the back yard, adding another blanket for a floor and pillows. No covers necessary. But the blanket they used for the tent itself was a tightly woven old moth-eaten wool Army blanket. Mom kept a close watch on her handmade quilts from Great Grandma.
Late July, August and early September can bring devastatingly hot sultry days in Illinois when temperature and humidity match. The Dog Days refer to Sirius, the brightest star in the constellation Canis major, the Greater Dog. They were historically the period following the heliacal rising of the star system Sirius, which Hellenistic astrology connected with heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, lethargy, fever, mad dogs, and bad luck. Wikipedia
A fact connected to Dog Days is that, during this time, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of Earth. An early memory in our marriage, on an August vacation at my aunt and uncle’s house, they took us fishing. Neither of us were fishermen, but as I recall we were in Upper Iowa by a river. My Aunt Mae made me wear her overshoes over my sandals because the snakes were shedding their skins at the time and they might be along the path to the river. Needless to say, I was skittish at best. Long day fishing, only one fish for Uncle Les. Definitely qualified as Dog Days.
I hope you are finding cool ways to spend these days.
Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Psalms 74:17 Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.
Luke 21:25 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
7/28/21 blogjoanneblog.blogspot.com
