Grab a lemonade and find a shady spot… we’re entering the dog days of summer! Any idea where that phrase comes from? Some say it’s because these hot, sultry days “aren’t fit for a dog,” but in fact it has nothing to do with man’s best friend! Historians trace the phrase back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who tracked the seasons by looking at the stars. Sirius, the brightest star visible from Earth, is often referred to as the Dog Star because it formed the nose in a constellation shaped like a dog. In the summer, Sirius rises and sets with the Sun, and the ancient Romans thought its nearness to the Sun produced EXTRA heat -- hence, those hot, humid days from July 3 to August 11 were called “dog days.” But, according to National Geographic, those ancient observations don’t quite work for our modern times, because the Earth’s rotation wobbles. Nowadays, Sirius doesn’t appear in the sky at the same time it did back then. And looking forward thousands of years from now, Sirius will rise with the Sun during the “dog days of winter!” Whoa! With the first half of the year in the rearview mirror, July is a great time for a mid-year review. There’s no doubt the first six months of this year have been extremely bumpy, and you might feel the need to have a chat about it. Or, perhaps there are circumstances that have changed (or you anticipate will be changing). Just give our office a call if you’d like to schedule a meeting. Below are a few things we could touch on:
July is also the time when our great nation celebrates its independence. From backyard barbecues to night skies filled with glittering fireworks, we have SO MUCH to celebrate and be grateful for. It’s a good time to pause and reflect on the amazing freedoms we all enjoy. Particularly at a time when others around the world are fighting against oppression or foreign invasion. Sometimes, it can be hard to recognize how good we truly have it, especially when gas and food prices continue to soar, and grocery store shelves are sometimes bare. But we’ve faced challenges before, and we’ll overcome these, too. The end of the month (July 30) brings International Friendship Day! What a perfect opportunity to re-connect with friends you haven’t seen in a while and let them know how much their friendship enriches your life. So send that text message, make that phone call. Or better yet, commit to making a NEW friend! Wishing you a memory-filled month of sunny summer days, sweet watermelon, corn on the cob, and the company of good friends. |
The Dog Days of Summer Are Here!
