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Lauren

I am a Work-At-Home-Mom new to the Jacksonville area. Originally from Texas, my husband and I have lived and worked all over the country and I am excited to explore my new hometown. I am the author of the book "Zen and the Art of Housekeeping: The Path to Finding Meaning in Your Cleaning" (www.zen...

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Dog Days of Summer

I'm feeling pretty canine myself!

In modern parlance, the Dog Days of Summer is the term used to describe the hottest days of the year.  You know, those days when the temperature rises well above 90 and your energy level diminishes to zero. 

A trip to Wikipedia revealed that “Dog Days” has been used to describe the most sweltering days of summer since the Greeks and Ancient Romans.  Sirius, the Dog Star, was the brightest star in the ancient sky except for the sun.  It appeared at a specific place on the horizon during the 40 or so hottest days of the year.  The Ancient Egyptians were even in tune with the Dog Days of Summer, as the appearance of Sirius always preceded the annual rainy season that usually included the Nile River flooding its banks.

Today, the phrase seems to be indicative of the general malaise that overcomes us all in the most sweltering summer heat.  We become lethargic, just like our domesticated dog friends that lie around trying to find a cool spot upon which to rest their bellies.

For those of us that are moms, these Dog Days take on an entirely unique meaning.  They are the days when our kids begin to drive us completely up the wall with their whines of “I’m hot”, “I’m tired”, and my personal favorite “I’m BORED!”  Their cries are as irritating as a yappy chihuahua.  It costs more to keep them entertained than to feed a herd of Great Danes.  They are higher maintenance than the most prized of show dogs.  And their sad eyes remind me of a basset hound as they moan “We never get to do anything fun”.  This is, of course, after eighty trips to the pool, 26 slip n’ slide adventures with the neighborhood kids, two different camps, a beach vacation, and a new bike. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m about ready for the Dog Days to be done for this year.  And there is light at the end of the tunnel.  I’m actually on the same page in my monthly calendar as the start of school (halelujah!).  School supply displays are popping up at area stores (Yee Ha!).  Back to School clothing circulars are becoming more frequent in my newspaper (Yippee!!!!).  The Dog Days are numbered!

I’m going to make every effort to enjoy what’s left of summer – spend time with my kids, sleep in a little, turn the air conditioning down and the ceiling fan up, relax, and count my blessings that I don’t live on the banks of the Nile!

Love, Lauren

Hangin’ Out at The Momerama