Dog Days of Summer

by Julie Johnson, Tastemaker in Residence

As a kid, I remember hearing the term “dog days” and knew it had some reference to hot summer days but lacked understanding about its true meaning.  In my quest to satisfy this curiosity, I stumbled across a great explanation by the Farmer’s Almanac.  

The dog days occur between July 3rd and August 11th of each year when the sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius (the brightest star visible from any part of the Earth).  Sirius is also called the Dog Star and ancient Romans believed heat from the star contributed to the Sun’s warmth so it was referred to as the “dog days.”  Although the heat experienced during this time really has nothing to do with Sirius but mainly with the Earth’s tilt towards the sun, “dog days of summer” was coined a phrase and has stuck for centuries.

What do the “dog days of summer” mean for our family?  When the boys were younger, it meant we lathered on the sunscreen to beat the heat by embracing time at a family cabin, the lake near our home, or at the ocean (we lived in Massachusetts for a portion of the boys’ childhood).  Adventures at some or all of these locations included building sandcastles, jumping off the dock, pushing trucks through the sand, collecting hermit crabs or starfish, and going on snipe hunts.  I sure do miss the simplicity of these days but will always treasure the memories!  Especially those made at Old Silver Beach or Scusset Beach in Massachusetts!

Yes, those days were simple but you also have to embrace all that comes with bigger boys…bigger toys!!  Our adventures now include tubing, water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, jet-skiing, and fishing.  The competition is fierce with three teenagers as they battle out new tricks while water skiing or wakeboarding. It’s all about ‘catching some big air!’  There is never a shortage of critiques as they banter about whose trick was bigger or better. 

It takes stamina to do all the tricks so every now and then a time out is necessary for a break in the shade.  Breaks include a cold beverage of choice, popsicles; YES - teenagers still love popsicles, or a fruit smoothie.  And, the banter carries on…

Here is the fruit smoothie recipe!