Let's Talk with Maggie Toussaint

The hot days of summer are often called the “Dog Days of Summer.” I’ve heard the phrase all my life and assumed that the phrase described the lethargy that affects us during the sweltering heat of August.

Throughout humanity’s recorded history, astronomers around the world have noted that the rising of Sirius, known as the Dog Star and the brightest star in the sky, brought about high ambient temperatures, malaise, rot, infections, drought, spoiled food, and other unpleasant circumstances in the Northern Hemisphere.

For instance, back in the 8^th Century, Alcaeus noted “women are at their foulest but men are weak since they are parched in head and knees.” (as seen in the Wikipedia Dog Days summation)

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the Dog Days of Summer are 40 days ranging from July 3 to August 11, though today there are slightly different date ranges associated with the phenomenon. Some people even think of the date range as I do, an August phenom. Anyway, all the summer heat makes me move slower and dream more.

Because of the Dog Star tie, I am inspired to write about dogs I have known. I have to share about my first grand dog, Missie. (I used to spell her name with a “y” and was told that she prefers the “ie” ending!). Missie was a St. Bernard dog with the lovable nature of a very big teddy bear. This gentle giant (and her fictional puppies) became the heart and soul of my Cleopatra Jones mystery series.

Our family has had two long-lived black labs. I love the personality of Labrador retrievers. They are always up for anything as long as they can be touching you. A black lab starred in my Lindsay & Ike Mystery series, got an honorable mention in my Dreamwalker Mystery series, and had a cameo in my standalone cozy, Murder in the Buff.

I’ve met several German Shepherds in my life. They share the trait of being a protective and loyal dog. My friend’s dog “Fred” became Artie in Shrimply Dead of the Seafood Caper Mysteries.

And before you think I am an elitist who only associates with full-breeds, my sister’s rescue, Stinky, has a lot of hound in him, is both independent and clingy, and absolutely certain when afternoon walk-time occurs. He will settle to a few “Not yet” stalls, but then it is totally “game on”. He is raring to go for his late afternoon walk…and the yummy supper that follows.

Out of all the dogs I’ve known, only Stinky (who is at least 10 years old in people years) wants a ride home in the golf cart after doing the entire outgoing walk at a fast trot. He didn’t used to be that way, but then I wasn’t riding in a golf cart back in the day either. Anyway, we sort it all out, and everyone is happy despite the heat, the lethargy, and being content with letting some other chores slide for a bit.

One more dog I’ve known has starred in a series. St Luke the Holy Terrier, a cairn terrier we inherited from my mother-in-law had quite the personality. He wasn’t a snuggler, and in fact was more cat like when it came to human contact. And if the kids forgot to latch the gate, he took off on a walkabout, going just fast enough to outrun us all. When he was done, he’d bound up on a neighbor’s stoop (different neighbor every time) and bark to be let in. I have Luke’s namesake staring in the upcoming Art Studio Mysteries. He is very set in his likes and dislikes, same as our Luke.

This year, Dog Days feels like it’s been going on all summer long in coastal Georgia. Outdoor plants are feeling the heat too. We have a watering rotation in our yard so that we get everything watered every 7-10 days. While that doesn’t sound like enough, it’s actually a good soaking; if we watered everything every day, our water bill would look like the national debt.

As it is now mid-August, I need to be planning a book launch for October. I’ve spent many of our very hot summer days indulging in arts and crafts indoors, and now it’s time to get back on track. That October release will be here before I know it!

How do you handle the heat of summer? Leave a comment and I will share a print or digital format of Murder in the Buff with one lucky commenter. Winner will be announced by next Tuesday.

Want to know more about our author Maggie Toussaint? Visit her WEBSITE.

While you’re here, check out our Booklover’s Bench August giveaway. Two cozy mysteries will go to one winner after the contest ends on August 22. Enter the giveaway contest HERE.