Diary: The Dog Days. The Fourth of July. Other adventures.

Yesterday was the first of the dog days, by the Old Farmers Almanac's definition: The 40 days between July 3rd and August 11th coinciding with the heliacal rising of Sirius, the dog star. Sirius does not rise at this time anymore, due to the precession of the equinoxes. The period marks out the hottest days of the summer, although so far this summer has been uncommonly cool.

Yesterday I stayed in from the Chicago fireworks. I was a little too tired and worn out from the excitement of the last few weeks. Today I'm going camping in the upper peninsula with Sam and some friends. I'll be back in the city on Sunday.