B'day and Dog Days

Hello friends!

It's my birthday!  I've been stomping around for 63 years!  I don't think it's been that long but my siblings assure me it has (they are both approaching 60 and love to remind me how old I am and how much younger they are... 5 & 6 yrs younger).  Ha!

Just so happens it is also the last day of "Dog Days of Summer".  UNLESS you live in Oklahoma, Texas or Arkansas.  We have about three more months of living on the face of the sun, but I digress.  I thought it would be fun to share a bit about the Dog Days history.

The term “Dog Days” has been used for millennia to describe the hottest, most sweltering weeks of the Northern Hemisphere summer. Ancient peoples linked it with both astronomy and folklore, often viewing it as a time of drought, disease, or unrest.

Today, the phrase evokes images of lazy summer days—but its origins tell a story of stars, calendars, and centuries of observation.

This period of intense heat coincides with the heliacal rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. The Greeks believed its brilliance intensified the summer sun, and its name, “Sirius” (σείριος), even means “scorching.” The Dog Days span from July 3 to August 11(40 days), following the summer solstice. These are traditionally the hottest and most humid weeks of the year.

Roman poet Virgil wrote that Sirius “brings drought and plague to frail mortals” when it rises. Farmers would watch the skies and adjust planting and harvesting schedules based on this superstitious guidance.

Even today, old weather sayings reflect these beliefs, such as: “make hay while the Sun shines, for when old Sirius takes command of the weather, he is such an unsteady, crazy dog, there is no dependence upon him.

From Appalachia Lore:

Beware of swimming in natural bodies of water.

Beware of touching your bare feet to the morning dew.

Snakes are mean and blind.

Evil roams free and people are more liable to fight.

Woulds and injuries will not heal.

Being raised by a "hillbilly", I am sure there are many more so why not spend a lazy, dog day of summer googling to see what you can find.  Here is a recipe to sip on while you do.

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Dog Days Iced Tea

Ingredients

7 bags black tea (English, Earl Grey, etc.)

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/2 cup mint leaves and sprigs, divided

2 cups chilled orange juice

1 orange, sliced crosswise

1 lemon, sliced crosswise

ice cubes

Instructions

1. Brew a strong tea in about 10 cups of water. While still hot, add sugar and about a dozen mint leaves. Let cool.

2. Remove tea bags and mint; then add orange juice, fruit slices, and ice.

Serve over more ice, garnish with fresh mint sprigs, and add a fruit slice or two to each glass.

***

If you stuck around to the end, thank you!  Most of the information was taken from The Old Farmers Almanac.  There is much more on their site.

Wednesday's Hodgepodge - August 5th, '26

It's that time of the week!  Every Wednesday, Joyce at From This Side Of The Pond, asks a few questions and bloggers from all over answer them on their own blogs.  To join in, click 👇 to go to Joyce's blog.

1. What's something on your August calendar you're looking forward to? Or dreading if that's easier to answer. 

I am looking forward to the end of August! Although it is my birth month, August has never been my favorite. Many reasons! My Mama and my brother were both born in August and we all used to look forward to those days but Mama celebrates her birthday in Heaven now and I live so far away from my brother so it is just another month. I DREAD(hate) more triple digit days to get through although that won't stop with the arrival of September around here. 

2. August 5th is National Oyster Day...do you partake? How do you feel about pearls? 

Eewwww... gross!  I do love pearls though.

3. Tell us about a time when you felt like 'the world was your oyster'. 

Hmmm...never.

4. Trip Advisor lists seven islands in the US that require no passport (for US citizens). If you're answering today from outside the US you'll still need to produce yours. An-y-way, have you been to any of the seven? Let's pretend you get an all expense paid trip to one this month...which one do you choose and why?  Catalina Island California~Martha's Vineyard Massachusetts~Mackinac Island Michigan~Key West Florida~South Padre Island Texas~or Kauai Hawaii

I have not been to any of them. Not even Padre even though I was born and raised in Texas. I is my dream to go to Mackinac Island one day or maybe Key West.

5. Sylvia Plath is credited with the following- 

"August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time."

Agree or disagree? In other words, how do you feel about this month? 

I'm confused about "August rain"! Where!? Certainly not here.  That rarely happens.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Not changing with the seasons anymore

Usually by this time I am dragging out Autumn decorations because my birthday in mid-August always says "it's almost Fall" to me.  I usually spend days cleaning and fluffing all the pretty colors.  I've always enjoyed changing out decor with the seasons but I've reached the age that I'm good with leaving things as they are.  Now I know there will probably be the obligatory vase of sunflowers, maybe a pumpkin or two, but nothing like I normally do.  I just don't see the point since I'm the only one that will see it...all that unpacking and repacking wears me out, too.  Mister wouldn't notice it at all.  I mean...he's a man!  Ha!  This year, I am simply going to add to what I already have going on.  

My living room will continue to be cozy and full of books, knick-knacks, baskets...Granny-fied, if you will.  I think they call it Granny-core these days.  Naturally, I will rearrange furniture and move this or that to another room.  That's just how I roll.

I had a little help from Ai with this picture but it is mostly my livingroom.  I wish I had that wallpaper but my walls are plain white *sad face*, and I don't have a rug because...well, dog hair!  My Mister would absolutely divorce me if I said we were hanging wallpaper!  HeHe!  I already have a list of too much stuff for us to do.  Maybe one day but in the meantime I'll imagine it just like this but if it never happen, it's good enough.  

As I've aged, I don't have the desire to follow all the wonderful content creators who change their decor all the time.  To spend tons of money and time to get that magazine cover look.  Oh, I've been that person but, at some point, I decided I am thankful for and happy with just living a cozy, unpretentious life.  Just my Mister, my furbabies and me.  Besides, I bet if you could get a look at the things they don't video or take pictures of, it doesn't look any better than yours and mine.  

So, I will not be OVER-decorating for Autumn and will only do enough for Christmas to make my Mister and the grands happy.  Other than that, not much will change.  Of course, I always look forward to finding a trinket or making something to put amongst the things I already have and I love dreaming of old fashioned wallpaper and "granny" stuff.  But if I never find another thing or get that wallpaper my home is safe, cozy and perfect just the way it is...and I thank God for it.

What!? August!!!???

How in the world are we already in the month of August!?  I tell you what, it blows my simple little mind how fast the years go by.  It doesn't help that this is my birthday month!  63 turns around the world in 10 days.  That is mind-blowing in itself!  Some days I feel it - other days I am sure I just turned 30 years old.  Ha!  

My Mister went to visit the Grandblessings for the weekend and I have taken advantage of it!  You know how it is.  You can't clean good when anyone else, but you, is in the house.  Maybe that's just me but I think it also has a lot to do with not having to be on a schedule to get the things done and have supper ready when he gets home.  After he is home, nothing gets done so many things get pushed to the side or I do just enough to keep it all somewhat tidy.  Anyhow, I took advantage of the long day.

I've been wanting to put up this knick-knack shelf for quite some time but I just never did.  For one thing, it is hard to find a stud in the proper place in this old house and I simply can't abide by off-centered wall decor.   I had those figurines on my bookshelf but the kitten, someone blessed us with, kept climbing on it and I was afraid she would knock them off.  Yeah...yeah...I know!  I am not a cat person and only want them if they are outside in the barn doing their job BUT that little thing was so tiny there is no way we could put her out there by herself.  Turns out she likes my husband better than me...I'm sure she thinks I'm the meanest human ever because of the spray bottle but she has to learn not to get on my table and cabinets or she will find herself outside.  Anyways, after last winter and the problem we had with mice, I'm willing to give her a chance.

It's August and you know what that means.  Time to start on the Grands quilts for Christmas.  I have three to make this year with the baby on the way.  Seems so strange to be talking about Christmas gifts and new babies.  

It has been so nice today.  A cool front came in last night and the north wind made it tolerable to sit out on the porch, this morning.  I haven't had many opportunities for that this year.  What with the monsoon season, we had from April through June, and the extreme heat and humidity since then, I am a sissy!  There I said it!  I'll own it.  I run out to take care of the animals twice a day and hardly stick my head out the rest of the time.  I thoroughly enjoyed my coffee out there this morning.  It will be very short lived though.  Triple digits and high humidity will return Monday.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed this little post.  Please come back soon!