Is it hot and humid enough for you?

Welcome to the dog days of summer.

Summer Sun © Kathryn LeRoy

Hello friend,

The dog days of summer have nothing to do with our four-legged friends romping around our feet for attention. Rather, this dog is the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius.

A few facts about Sirius, the Dog Star:

• You can find Sirius in the constellation, Canis Major.

• The name Sirius comes from the Greek word for “scorching.”

• The phrase describes the hot and humid days of late summer (July 3-August 11, or longer where I live).

• In the Northern Hemisphere, Serius rises and sets with the sun.

• The Romans coined the phrase “dog days” because they thought the star actually gave off heat.

The constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog. from Farmers Almanac and How to Find Srius by EarthSky

There you have it. The dog days of summer, and if you’re lucky, you’ll feel cooler sooner than later. However, those days will linger past the end of August where I live. The high for today will hit 97 degrees with a forecast of, you guessed it, hot and humid!

As the heat rises my “to-do” list also expands. But, “frankly my dear,” the weather outside stifles and squelches the desire “to do” anything. Maybe I should try something new.

What if I started a “to-be” list?

I wish I could take credit for this inspiration, but the idea came from @actionhappiness, the Instagram account for Action for Happiness. Being sounds more doable and easygoing. Here’s my list:

1. Be curious

2. Be light-hearted

3. Be alert for the unusual or the ordinary

4. Be content

5. Be open to new ways of seeing

6. Be kind

7. Be peaceful

That should get me through the next week as the dog days roll onward. Who knows “to be” could catch on and start a snowstorm of positivity and joy.

Koi Keeping Cool © Kathryn LeRoy

I found a few ideas about how to find peace in the maddening noise of the world and the dog days of summer.

A quick explanation of the dog days of summer from a meteorologist.

Songs to cool your dog days from Florence + The Machine and Steve Conte.

"Now came the dog days–day after day of hot, still summer, when for hours at a time light seemed the only thing that moved; the sky-sun, clouds and breeze—awake above the drowsing downs."
—Richard Adams, Watership Down

Summer’s Best © Kathryn LeRoy

If you would like to read more from me, visit my website. I’ll be there waiting for you.

With gratitude,

Kathryn

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