August 15, 2020, 2020

It is a hot day in Texas today! Temperatures got up near or above 100F. 
I intended to call this the "dog days of summer" but according to "The 
Old Farmer's Almanac, the dog days of summer end around August 11.

Why do they call it the dog days of summer?  Again, according to "The
Old Farmer's Almanac, the dog days of summer were believed in ancient
Greece and Room to be a time of drought, bad luck and unrest, when dogs
and man alike would be driven mad by the extreme heat. That's crazy!
Literally.

The almanac adds that this period of sweltering weather coincides with
the rising of Sirius, the dog star. Sirius is part of the constellation
Canis Majoris -- the "Greater Dog". Again with the ancient Romans and Greeks,
they believed that the dawn rising of Sirius in mid- to late summer
contributed to the extreme weather of the season.  Apparently, the name
"Sirius" even stems from the Ancient Gree seirios, meaning "scorching."

So that's why my Sirius radio uses a dog logo and why it would be appropriate
to call music played on that venue as scorching hot.  I'm curious if Spotify
is also dog related since Spot is a common dog name.  The almanac does not
comment on this. I digress.

So anyway, it is *HOT* and we've established that it is not the dog days
of summer.  I do recall people talking about frying eggs on the sidewalk
when it gets this hot.  I do not endorse sidewalk egg frying for numerous
reasons. Do not consume sidewalk cooked eggs should you choose to experiment.

In other news, the Dallas Stars are struggling in their first round of the
NHL playoffs as they are down 2-1 to the Calgary Flames.  I would love to see
them advance in this most unusual "bubble" playoff but I fear that will not 
be the case. They just don't look like they have figured out what they are 
doing in Edmonton.  

The Texas Rangers are actually looking pretty good. After lagging at the start,
The Rangers are in second place in the AL West with a 9-9 record.  Who's in 
first? Not those cheaters the Astros but the swingin' Oakland A's.  Some of 
the Ranger's you players like Nick Solak are looking very good and Ranger's
pitching is doing well.  But, with Texas I am always waiting for something bad
to happen. Get excited about a player and next thing you know they are on the
injured reserve. I am remaining hopeful and I'm very thankful that we have 
basedball to watch -- when it is SO HOT! (there, I tied it all together).

On that note, I think I will say goodbye for now and will check back in with
you soon.

Stay cool and stay safe!

The Proprietor