Dog Days of Summer

7/27/2016 (Permalink)

So what exactly are the "dog days of summer?"

National Geographic says this about the dog days of summer:

“…the dog days refer to the dog star, Sirius, and its position in the heavens. To the Greeks and Romans, the “dog days” occurred around the day when Sirius appeared to rise just before the sun, in late July. They referred to these days as the hottest time of the year, a period that could bring fever, or even catastrophe.”

I think it’s safe to say that most people today aren’t referencing a star when they talk about the “dog days of summer.” No. We mean it’s hot. Really hot. So hot that doing anything outside is almost inconceivable!

Here in Cape Girardeau, MO, we are definitely going through the “dog days of summer” with temperatures into the 90’s almost every day this month! And we won’t even talk about the humidity… It’s easy to feel lethargic in this weather. Nonetheless, our crew members have been out on the road, in and out of buildings, and hauling heavy equipment in this heat because they are restoring buildings “like it never even happened.”

While you may be spending most of your day indoors to avoid the heavy heat, don’t think you can’t be productive! Use the “dog days” to achieve some *much needed* housekeeping tasks.  

Check your washing machine hoses.

We advise that you replace them if you find any cracks or bulges. Ideally, rubber hoses can be replaced with a steel-jacketed hose that can't split open Also check your filter screens to confirm that they are not clogged. If not discovered quickly, hundreds of gallons of water can flood out of a burst hose an hour. 

Sort and Organize the Pantry

How does the pantry always become so unorganized? Pull over your trash can and a box to use for food donations. Pull everything off of your pantry shelves and determine its future. Those opened and half empty boxes of food that were lost in the back are probably destined for the garbage. Food that has been in your pantry for over a year might be better appreciated at a food pantry. Secure open items you plan to reshelf in glass jars or ziploc bags to keep them fresh and bug free. Wipe down your shelves and reload.

Clean out the fridge.

How long has THAT been in there? Use your adrenaline from organizing the pantry to clean out your refrigerator (or take a quick cat nap and give yourself a pep talk to keep going). Pull over the trash can and have at it. Completely clear off all of the shelves, throwing away anything that is old or expired. Wipe down bottles or containers that may have gotten sticky and sanitize the shelves. Reshelf any items that are left, and add an open box of baking soda to act as a deodorizer.

Clean kitchen sink disposal.

We recommend using vinegar ice cubes to clean your disposal. Put some vinegar in an ice tray and let it freeze, then run the ice cubes through the disposal.  Not only does the vinegar clean and freshen the disposal unit, but the ice also sharpens the blades!

Don't forget to take a cue from the dogs - take time to relax and cool down!