Everyone in my neck of the woods probably already knows what this phrase means—but I couldn't quite bring it to mind. (I blame this heat for my lack of clear thinking!) Somewhere in the back of my mind, I connected the phrase with panting dogs in search of water and that means hot, summer days. Nope, I was wrong.

Here's where it comes from... The Romans originally associated the hot weather from early July to early September with the bright star Sirius, which they also called the Dog Star, that appeared during those months. They believed that Sirius was somehow responsible for the hot weather. Of course, the days and months depend on which hemisphere you're in!

I do wish we could blame this heat (and humidity here in DC) on a bright star. When I drive west from the bright city lights and see the stars, I revel in their brilliance. Somehow if they'd be at fault, these glorious celestial points, perhaps this weather wouldn't be so unbearable.

The Midnight Blue color in the Corinthian Bells, Bells of Vienna and Gentle Spirits chimes is a perfect, cool, celestial color for these crazy-hot days. Tell me if that doesn't cool you off!