Frog Days of Summer

  While most of the time we refer to the midsummer days as "Dog Days", after watching the Frog Pond today, I think the frogs have it better.  They are smart.  During these hot, humid days, the frogs are either floating in the water or are hidden from view under some log.  Their tactics keep them cool and comfortable.  The dog, on the other hand, decided to snooze right in the middle of the yard where the sun was scorching hot.  No matter how I tried to coax him to lounge in the shade near me, he was adamant about staying put.  Poor old pup was sweltering and thus ended our outing.

  The more I think about those brilliant frogs, the more I think the days should have been named after them.   "Frog Days of Summer" makes more sense.   Lets name our scorching summer days after the critters that know how to handle them!  Yes, I realize that the "Dog Days" were not named after a pet dog but rather the association with the Dog Star, Sirius, still, if you use a bit of logic, my way seems more accurate!  After all, the thought of sweaty, panting dogs is not a pretty way to portray a season.  Frogs frolicking in the cool waters of the pond evokes a more idyllic scene. So, I say, lets start calling these days the "Frog Days of Summer"!  Not that I wish to swim in the Frog Pond nor the Bayou.  I know what lurks beneath those dark waters.

Soggy Dog Days of Summer?

  Somehow our usual "Dog Days of Summer" have morphed into something a bit different.  Perhaps we should call days this August "Fish Days of Summer" or "Amphibian Days of Summer" or maybe even go so far as "Soggy Days of Summer".  Just to be on record here, the term Dog Days of Summer has nothing really to do with lazy canines on hot, humid days but rather a period of time that the "Dog Star" or Sirius appeared to rise before the sun.  Those ancient astronomers believed that during those days, catastrophic things might happen.  Somewhere along the line, folks forgot just what the term meant and sort of made up a definition that suited present day ideas.  Now if you mention Dog Days of Summer, folks start picturing a bunch of hot pups lazing about in the shade with their tongues hanging out as they pant.  But that idea is not fitting this month's weather or perhaps this month's weather is just not fitting the terminology set aside for it.  We are in the midst of some soggy weather!

  It seems that we have had an abundance of moisture falling from the sky since spring.  Of course, the garden loved it, the grass loved it, I loved it (except for the excessive amount of pushing that lawnmower!).  I am one of those weird folks that loves rainy, stormy weather.  Today fit the bill perfectly.  

  Between showers just about noontime, I rushed down the hillside to check the old skiff.  On the horizon, dark, ominous clouds dominated.  It had been this way all day and is forecasted to stay stormy for the next few days.  I am good with it but there will be a shortage of pictures. While I like the rain, the camera is not too pleased.  One photograph was all I could take before the thunder started to grumble and a sprinkling of raindrops dotted the Bay water.  Before I made it back up the board path, a full blown shower was on my heels.  Yep, there were not too many old dogs lounging about the hillside today but I bet I could have found some mighty happy frogs out there!  These "Soggy Days of Summer" sure beat previous years' droughts.  Bring on the rain!  

After the Storm...

Just as I sat down to write this, we lost electrical power!  A powerful thunderstorm was just leaving the area and obviously was leaving quite a trail of destruction behind it.  From what I hear, power is out over much of the Coast and there is widespread flooding.   It is times like these that I appreciate the snugness of the Little Bayou House.  Although, it is far from being a fancy place, I always feel safe and secure within its walls.  Sometimes it takes the storms of life to make us appreciate the calm times.

One thing about thunderstorms in the late afternoon, you get beautiful sunsets!  With the remnant clouds still hanging low but breaking in spots, the sun peeps through and casts a most beautiful glow.  This, in itself, makes up for all of the gnashing and clashing of lightning and thunder!  On the pier, I have a front row seat for the spectacular show.  The sky is a kaleidoscope of colors and there is a certain peace that envelops the Bayou.  This is one of my favorite times to be alive.

Last night, Mark and I watched as another storm put on a fantastic light show.  This one was far enough out over the Gulf that it was safe for us to be on the pier.  We could see the large bolts of lightning striking one after another. The storm clouds hung around for over an hour creating havoc for any boaters still out on the water.  Again, I felt secure being here.  Afterwards, another gorgeous sunset.  Several dozen photographs later, he and I made our way to the Little Bayou House. While we walked we discussed the recent summer storms.  This summer has been filled with many such storms and most occurred after a day of blistering heat. Our temperatures today reached about 102 degrees.  That is hot but factor in our thick humidity and it is stifling!  Is this what is referred to as the Dog Days of Summer?  I have always heard that this is a period of time between July and September.  Whatever it is, I do hope that Fall is just around the corner!  I could sure use a bit of cooler weather!