Good Morning Family!
The “dog days” of summer are definitely hanging on. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the “dog days” are July 3rd through August 11th. They are now officially overstaying their welcome. (Of course, I never welcomed them in the first place!)
It is interesting to note how the term came to be. It actually has nothing to do with real dogs. The “dog days” has to do with the first sighting of the star Sirius A in the morning sky right before sunrise. This would usually occur in mid to late August and so the time before this would be the hottest weeks of the summer.
The term “dog days” relates to the very bright star, Sirius A, being the nick-named the “dog star” in astronomy. This is because it is in the constellation, Canis Major, Latin for big dog. Just to be clear I am talking astronomy, not astrology. So, “dog days” are those weeks before Sirius A is visible in the mornings. Sirius A is also so bright that, at times, it can be spotted in the daytime on a clear day.
Just thought I would give everyone a quick lesson in basic astronomy this morning. I’m not sure who needed that, but we can all be amazed at how the seasons and the night sky work just like clockwork, almost like they had a Designer, huh?
1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world. Psalm 19:1-4
As always, my prayer is that we would all, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15
Your Shepherd of the Hills,
Bro. Steven
Dr. Steven Gann
