Have you ever wondered just what and when are THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER? To me, it was something that got mentioned a time or two each summer but no one every explained to me. My inquiring mind did a little research and found out that it does not have anything to do with our 4 legged friends. (Well, kind of does, see later).

Sirius, the dog star, is out in full force between July 3rd to August 11th or so. This is usually the most hot and humid time of the year. The Greeks and Romans were aware of this bright star and attributed drought, bad luck, unrest, dogs and men being driven mad by the heat. Sirius now has better PR these days and pretty much is only blamed for hot, humid days. That means we have missed that time period this year and will have to wait until next year to do whatever one does on those days. I am very glad it has passed for this year. Hot weather people probably would want the dog days to continue for another 40 days. I like my spring and fall days so maybe I could call them “Kitty Days”? But then cats like it hot also so maybe I will have to do more research for a better name for those time periods.

Gardening people, are you beginning to think you may be losing a bit of control of your gardens and lawns to the August elements? The joy of rushingout to weed, water and trim is just a bit less or maybe a whole lot more not much fun anymore. I always feel a bit guilty about this time of year because somethings are beginning to look a bit ragged or overgrown. Have I got great news for me and all others in this boat! Maybe you do not even need to be in this boat but will be starting anew. The magic word is “rewild”. I fell in love with that word after the reading the first few sentences of how to rewild. You will be saving yourself and the world. Who could ask for anything more? Rewilding means to plant less, don’t arrange every last thing you plant, don’t use any added fertilizer or chemicals and basically just leave everything alone. You could plant a few things that would go to seed and reseed if you already don’t have such things in place. These people were also saying you should do this with your lawns by not mowing. I certainly do not agree with 100 percent of the rewild package. In places it could lead to big fines for neglect and lots of very mad neighbors.

I like to use it as a good example as to why part of my shade flower bed is growing up with things that were not planted on purpose and why the lawn has not been mowed in the wet, hot weather. That probably will make me a “part time rewilder”. You can figure out how much you want to have of the rewilding package.

Last Saturday morning was so delightful in the weather department that Husband Larry and I pulled out of the home cave and headed off to THE LEGION for breakfast. The outside seating was perfect and our waitperson Beth was also delightful. I had a yummy omelet packed with crisp bacon and Husband Larry had 2 of the largest pancakes I have ever seen. His take home box was enough for another meal. Their outdoor tables had the coolest little trash cans to put the small paper waste things in that would blow away in the wind. Yes, I was a good girl and left it there even though I had my big purse and it would have fit in fine. This good experience helps make up for the not so good luncheon event us rug hooking girls experienced on Wednesday of that week. Lesson learned was not to use a one time experience as the guide for the future. Maybe us rug hookers will have to meet on Saturdays and start out with breakfast.

Remember the Farm Market at Westview Mall is really hopping on Saturdays and Tuesdays with all the great summer goodies!