One of the very special things about living in Central Alberta is being able to get away from bright city lights and find places to watch the sunsets and the stars. Thanks to one of the new apps available on smart phones, you point your phone at the sky - and your phone will tell you which constellation and which stars you are looking at. How cool is that . . . and it works wherever you are, city or country. Winter and summer stars are slightly different as the earth turns annually.
Ancient Romans called the hottest, most humid day of summer "diēs caniculārēs" of "dog days". The name came about because the associated the hottest days of summer with the star Sirius. Sirius was know as the "Dog Star" as it was the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog).
Sirius also happens to be the brightest star in the summer night sky. The Romans thought it radiated extra heat toward Earth, causing summer to be hotter. For the ancient Romans, the dog days of summer occurred from about July 24 to around August 24. (Information quoted from: www.wonderopolis.org)
Over time the constellations have drifted and today the Farmer's Almanac lists the traditional timing of the dog days of summer as July 3 to August 11.
So are our dog days of summer just starting or on the way out? Are your children or grandchildren starting to complain about being bored? Do you need a head start on getting them ready? Or create a cute topper for the emergency "I do Not know where I lost it" box?
We have a limited collection of kits to create to bust the boredom, reducing what your children can "bark about", starting with a dog scarf or backpack and moving to your choice of toques.
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| Nova Topper Reg $12.00 75% Off $3.00 |
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| Katia Dog Scarf Reg $35.00 75% Off $8.75 |
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| Sirdar Head Start Reg $15.00 75% Off $3.75 |
Posted by Anne, happy Crafty Lady employee and dog lover, and lover of the dog days of summer
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