The phrase “in the dog days of summer“ popped into my head and I found myself wondering, what exactly does this mean? It seemed to me there was a connection to Sirius, “the dog star” but were there specific dates that constituted the dog days? I looked it up.
It seems that the Greeks and Romans connected the dog star, which is visible in the Northern hemisphere for most of the summer, with “heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, lethargy, fever, mad dogs and bad luck”! Although I have yet to spot any mad dogs, otherwise it sure sounds to me like we are in the dog days.
Sirius is so bright that the ancient Romans thought it radiated extra heat toward Earth. During the summer, when Sirius rises and sets with the Sun, they thought Sirius added heat to the Sun's heat to cause hotter summer temperatures.
For the ancient Romans, the dog days of summer occurred from about July 24 to around August 24. Over time, though, the constellations have drifted somewhat. Today, The Old Farmer's Almanac lists the traditional timing of the dog days of summer as being July 3 until August 11.
It’s hard to get anything done on this weather. We move slowly through the humid air and our thoughts seem muddled. It’s a perfect time to go on vacation, to lie in a hammock with a cool drink, swim in a lake or ocean. Unfortunately, many of us will not have the opportunity to go anywhere on vacation this summer of Covid-19.
Pastor Beryl had been hoping to take a vacation in August but instead, she spent this week on a study leave, attending online classes and writing papers, and will take an at-home vacation the next two weeks. Her contract is for half-time ministry, and yet she has been preparing pre-recorded services every week since the pandemic began. We will miss those services for the next couple of weeks, but we wish Beryl some well-earned rest and relaxation.
This Sunday, why not try out an online service from somewhere else in our Region or anywhere in Canada? With churches still closed across the country, there are a slew of virtual services to choose from.
Wyman United in Hudson and three other United churches are sharing worship over Zoom for the rest of the summer. This week’s service features Rev. Mark Hammond of Montreal West United and can be joined using this link: https://zoom.us/j/4939842064. You shouldn’t need a password but if asked for one it is 458.
Laurentian Area Ministries are also offering Zoom services every week in French (10:00) and English (10:30). Find out more on their page here.
St. James United in downtown Montreal streams live on Facebook Sunday at 11am.
Or,
Go to this interactive map from Nakonha:ka Regional Council for other suggestions.
Wherever you’re spending these dog days, I hope you get a chance to, as the prophet Nat King Cole sang:
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer!
Amy