A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....08-11-04...The Dog Days of Summer

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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The Dog Days of Summer are almost behind us. For some it will be a reason to celebrate, for others (like me) it is a time to lament the passing of the summer season.

"While the dog days have made many us feel like we're swaddled in fur, the period is actually named after Sirius, the Dog Star. Sirius rises with the sun when summer is at its hottest. The dog days traditionally run from July 3 to August 11.

The ancients believed extra heat generated by Sirius in conjunction with the sun caused this sizzling spell of weather. Sirius is the brightest star at night, after all.

But Sirius, which is found in the Canis Major (big dog) constellation, is some 50 trillion miles (80 trillion kilometers) from Earth—too far away to influence temperatures here.

In Roman times the dog days—or dies caniculares in Latin—were associated with intolerable heat, lethargy, disease, and, appropriately enough, mad dogs." James Owen for National Geographic News July 16, 2004

What was the highest summer temperature ever recorded in the United States?

A - 114 degrees Fahrenheit
B - 124 degrees F.
C - 134 degrees F.
D - 144 degrees F.

Answer >>> C - The highest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. was in California's Death Valley. The temperature reached 134 degrees. The hottest record on Earth took place in El Aisisa, Libya. That temp was 136F.

When does summer officially start in the Northern Hemisphere?

A - June 19th
B - June 21st
C - June 22nd
D - It varies

Answer >>> D - It varies. The summer solstice doesn't always occur on June 21. In 1896, summer began on June 20. It won't begin on that same date again until 2012.

It's not just the heat. It really is the humidity! When the thermometer reads 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity stands at 60%, how hot do you really feel, according to the National Weather Service's heat index?

A - 116 degrees F.
B - 126 degrees F.
C - 136 degrees F.
D - 146 degress F.

Answer >>> C - According the heat index, 100 degrees F at 60% relative humidity will warm the human body as much as heat at 136 degrees F at 0% humidity. When the Heat Index gets above 90 then it's time to take some precautions. About 175 people die in this country every year due to excessive heat.

What is the official definition of a heat wave?

A - Two or more days of 90+ degree weather.
B - Three or more days of 90+ degree weather.
C - Any period of unusually hot weather.
D - A period of 48 consecutive hours when the air temperature is 15% or more above normal.
E - There is no "official" definition.

Answer >>> E - There is no universal "official" definition. The National Weather service has set no temperature or duration to define a heat wave. The American Heritage dictionary defines a heat wave as, "a period of unusually hot weather."

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-09-04 Military Monday 08-10-04 God Bless the USA ~ Lift Every Voice (Rerun)

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[Kitty Mittens]

Oh, Gabz! What a beautiful and fine young lady you have there! That is sweet, the way she is holding those kitties, like they are so dear! Thank you for posting these adorable pictures, and give your daughter a hug from me and your Freeper Family!

[Gabz]

Thank you very much.

I finally have gotten to the point where I can accept the compliments regarding her looks without feeling prideful or bragadocious. (sp?)

To her, those kittens were more dear than even her favorite babydoll.

I thank God for my FReeper Family everyday - they are second only to my IRL family. But I must now bid good night - I have to have said child dressed and presentable and in the car for Bible school in 5 hours - and I need to get some sleep.

Hugs to you.

God Bless You.

Gabz

[Kitty Mittens]

Sleep well, dear Freeper Friend! :)

[Gabz]

Thak you, my FReeper FRiend - I slept well - just not long enough......I think I will try and get some more when I get back from the trasnport job!!!!

[Darksheare]

OUCH!
We did have a few honest reporters whjo actually tried to reportnews, but they always ended up dumped to page 14 or bured even further.

[Darksheare]

YIKES.

[Aquamarine]

These pictures are adorable!

We're over here now...This Space For Rent....again

[firewalk]

good morning LadyX
hoping you stay safe & dry there
(thanks for the ping)

[Mama_Bear]

my cats, The Toy and Black Kitty just vanished into thin air

Hi Kitty Mittens. I almost missed this post last night. I had shut down for the night before you arrived.

Yes, it's so sad and it would be nice to be able to believe that they followed some kind soul home and they lived a long happy life, but........*sigh* we know that it isn't likely that was their fate. :-(

[Kitty Mittens]

It cheers me up to hope that, maybe, our Lord will give them back to me someday, in Eternity. I'm not aware of any Scripture to back it up, but I don't think there's anything wrong with 'hoping,' because our God is such a Loving Savior. :)

[Mama_Bear]

but I don't think there's anything wrong with 'hoping,' because our God is such a Loving Savior. :)

I agree. And I know there must be dogs and cats in heaven, because without them it wouldn't be heaven to me.

[Kitty Mittens]

:^)