Dog Days of Summer

Dog days bright and clear,
indicate a happy year.
But when accompanied by rain,
for better times our hopes are in vain...

The dog days are a period of 40 days starting July 3rd and ending August 11th. They are named for the Dog Star, Sirius, which is visible with the rising Sun at this time. Ancients associated this sky picture with the hot days that coincided with it. Hence the term "dog days of Summer".

Here in England, the Dog Days are starting out great. A pleasant change from the past two Summers which were decidely cold and wet. Don't forget the sunscreen and get out there and enjoy!