July 27, 2016

Just Saying…

Just-Sayin-feh_cowboy_hat_2_PBy Q.C. Jones

The Dog Days of Summer…

It was a scorcher of a day in small town America; hot, humid, blistering sun, not even a puff of a breeze. I had reached the ripe old age of 12 and earned a spot at my dad’s gas station. When the drive bell chimed indicating a car was on the drive, everyone looked at me, indicating it was my turn to wait on the customer. It was an elderly gent, named E.E. Hardy who patronized my dad’s station rolling his 1952 Packard up to the ethyl pump.

As he maneuvered the door open and worked his slightly stooped body out of the car, I greeted him with the standard, “Mr. Hardy sure is hot.” His reply sent my mind into a spin. With both eyes twinkling he answered, “You know son (he always called me son), I’ve seen a worse, back in ’25 it was real hot. Today is exactly what we should expect during the dog days of summer.”

The dog day thing sent me racing back to the behavior of mydog-days neighbor’s old dog Bosco and his propensity for lying under the porch during hot days. I flashed to the a few canines panting with tongues nearly dragging the ground. I wondered about this whole dog day thing and that opened the door to my use of the term “dog days” in weather context.

A few days ago when thinking about August, I decided to determine precisely which days were the “dog days.” I was certain my research could indicate the “dog days” were August something through the something else. But during my investigation, I learned much more. Let’s take a look.

August is jam-packed with weird and wacky special days; something just short of 50 such designations. Most of you probably missed National Raspberry Cream Pie day (August 1st). Oh, what a celebration, QC Jones never forgets that one. Since you likely missed National Eat Ice Cream for Dinner day back in March (which is celebrated in other countries too), you’ll not want to miss celebrating National Ice Cream Sandwich day on August 2nd.

As a side note, QC Jones’ personal favorite in the ice cream category is the chocolate ice cream drumstick. There is no drumstick day. Could it be creeping communism?

Watermelon-slices1-750x400There are other foodie days. August 3: National Watermelon Day. August 8th is Sneak some Zucchini onto your Neighbors Porch day… the opposite of stealing watermelons. August 14 is National Creamsicle Day and the perfect time for stalking the brightly colored vans cruising through QCA neighborhood blasting “Round and Round the Mulberry Bush.”

We didn’t list all the food celebrations, because National Bore your Readers to Death day isn’t in August. But this food happiness gets a quiver through the chest by one diet day. August 29th is National More Herbs, less Salt Day. Where did this Scrooge-esque day originate? Legal jargon from the founders.
“Please note! All holidays created by Thomas & Ruth Roy, under the name of Wellcat Holidays & Herbs, are, indeed, copyrighted. If you wish to make use of them in any fashion, for profit, we respectfully request that you contact us for appropriate contract arrangements.”

QC Jones has no contract. However, I promise not to make my first million selling National More Herbs, Less Salt greeting cards. However, you can be the first on your block to send ol’ QC a really expensive Herb and Salt day present.

Sick of these National Days? Two more… First, National Coast Guard Day August 4th. This one honors the men and women who serve our country in an often unmentioned branch of the services. Thank you one and all. Secondly and strangely, V-J Day is a two day event August 14 and 15. For the youngsters out there, V-J stands for Victory over Japan. The young men and women who made this day possible are getting harder to find. In many ways it reminds me of Oliver Wendell Holmes poem “The Last Leaf.” Thank you and God Bless.

Circling around, the exact dates of the “Dog Days of Summer” has nothing to do with dogs. Those pesky Romans called the hottest days of summer “diēs caniculārēs” or “dog days.” The name came about because the star – Sirius was known as the “Dog Star” and lies in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog). It’s also the brightest star in the summer sky. Romans marked July 24 to August 24th as the dog days.

Think about this. Sandal strutting, toga wearing, wine swigging, garlic-breathed Romans, still messing with our minds… When will it stop?

Filed Under: Humor

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