The first potential heat wave of the season is predicted in my area this week which reminds me that we’re in the middle of the dog days of summer. According the Old Farmers’ Almanac, this period occurs July 3 to August 11 in the Northern Hemisphere. Living in central New England, these 40 days are truly a gift from Mother Nature that I treasure.

Sure, the heat and humidity can be uncomfortable during a heat wave, so I do appreciate having central air when it’s needed. But overall, I embrace the summer heat. I patiently wait all winter for warm weather, so when the hot days hit, I try not to complain knowing I’d gladly welcome them in January. Plus, many of us jet set to tropical places in the cold months, seeking out even hotter weather than New England summers.

So, during this time, I try to savor life’s little moments. Every. Single. Day. How can we not? The days are longer giving us incentive to enjoy extra hours of sunlight while our evenings cool down for comfortably warm, magical nights.

What Is the Backstory on Dog Days of Summer?

Before I go on, I’d be remiss to not explain the meaning of dog days of summer; it’s not about our pets, but the night sky. The expression is in reference to the Dog Star known as Sirius. During the “dog days,” the sun and Sirius are in the same region of the sky. Sirius, which is part of the constellation Canis Major (Greater Dog), is also the brightest visible star from Earth. Ancient Romans thought Sirius added to the sun’s warmth and called this time of year diēs caniculārēs or “dog days.”

Summer is the one season I try to stay close to home. Seriously, why hop on a plane to travel when I have just what I need in my own backyard or a car ride away? I can easily visit the shore (see post on visiting Mystic, CT area) and head to the mountains (see travel post on Killington, VT) to chill out. Plus, I appreciate time with family and friends and generally spending time outdoors, so I try to not overbook my summer schedule (a lesson learned as a result of the pandemic!). I’ve captured some special moments in this pictorial post to bring you happy vibes as you enjoy some of the warmest days of the season.

Close to Home: Smell the Flowers; Enjoy Your Spaces!

There’s nothing better than taking a breath to enjoy the simple things of summer. No matter where you live, you undoubtably can find local beauty by taking a walk or short drive, as well as relaxing in your outdoor areas.

On the Water: Refreshing and Restorative

Time on the water is definitely on my list of summer goals because it’s one of my favorite pastimes. I seek it out as often as I can and try to integrate water views into my powerwalks.

Summer Rituals You Can’t Miss

There are certain events that spell s-u-m-m-e-r. These definitely include baseball, ice cream outings, dining outdoors regularly, eating lobster, berry picking and soaking up beautiful vistas. Please note the stunning sunset on top of blog is taken from our friends’ lakeside patio. Moments like these never gets old.

SUMMER MEANS SPENDING TIME GARDENING! Check out my garden posts to get into the growing groove!

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