Responses to our Dog Days Issue of Summer 2010

Dear Dianne,
 
I was happy that you mentioned the "dog days of summer". It reminds me of how language carries the past to us long after we have forgotten why we have such expressions. The idea of the dog days is associated with Sirius the Dog star and the dog constellation which the Egyptians noted to speak of the Nile processes. So, also it was  noted by Greeks and Romans and Christians and so on. Somehow I just love this sense of the thread of humanity that reaches way back. Long, Long ago, people looked at the same stars, the same sun and moon. It gives me a new perspective.
 
Speaking of dogs, I enjoyed Malcolm Gladwell's book, What the Dog Saw. It is a collection of articles from the New Yorker ( I believe). Each of them gives a new perspective on things including the exploration of what dogs may be noticing when being "trained" by Caesar. There are other thoughtful articles about doctors, the homeless, other professions.

I am glad to be on your list for Clever Magazine.

Love, Ann Katherine 

And so now we need to look up the expression "dog days of summer." To me, it sounds like an intrepid little puppy walking along in the sunshine, undaunted by the heat. On Saturday, although for puppies, every day is Saturday.

I looked it up and it means the hottest, mostly sultry days of summer, from July 3rd to August 11th. It is also associated with Sirius, the dog star, the star that rises and sets with the sun during this time of the year, which supposedly adds to the heat. Extra star power. The 20 days before and 20 days after which Sirius becomes in conjunction with the sun are the dog days.

Betsy, the A

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Winter '09

Here's a message that new contributor Dennis McDougle included in his pitch letter to us:

Going in Circles, (is) inspired by a comment of yours I read regarding auto racing (a reference to the Phantom's blog). ... I particularly enjoyed the two stories you published by Randall W. Pretzer. I too have a soft spot for romance, though some think that soft spot is in my head. Thanks for all you do,
Dennis

(and there's more from Dennis)...I am delighted that you are going to publish Going In Circles. Our views on things are very similar. Like bears. In two days I'll be on Mt. Harrison in the Smokey Mountains. I go out alone on the mountain between 3 AM and about 5:30 AM and enjoy the spectacular stars, planets, etc. Just me and the bears. I've had some very close bear encounters. They are amazingly powerful but good hearted. I think if every country could be run by a bear this whole world would be much more bearable. (a reference to my piece on bears in a previous issue -- DK.)

More Lion kudos:

I was pleased to see the Confederate lion guarding the graves of the Confederate dead. Although my great-great-grandfather died at the battle of Chickamauga and was no doubt buried in a mass grave at that site, I will hereafter think of this as his honorary memorial. I also have a family tie to one of the Swiss Guards who were murdered at the onset of the French Revolution. God bless the brave lions of Lucerne and all others who die in the line of duty

Many thanks for your site.
Kathryn Venable

(We'll be catching up on our Lion Investigations in the Spring of '10.)

More on Hunza Bread (it just keeps on coming in...)

From Marshall Thornton: I use it and it works very well. It is not a diet it is a way of controlling your appetite. If you eat some of the bread and drink a glass of water it will decrease your desire to eat other food. Also the ingredients are good for your health.

 

Spring 2008

After the devastating earthquake in China, our hearts go out to the Chinese people, and to Jill Robinson who is hard at work in Chengdu, trying to save the displaced animals, as well as the moon bears.

Here's an email from one of our contributors, Terri Coffman, on the subject:

Dianne:

Just wanted to drop a note to say how much I enjoyed seeing The Moon Bear blog in this issue of Clevermag. I thoroughly and completely support Jill and her team of compassionate professionals in their untiring efforts to save moon bears from bile farms and injuries sustained while living in horrid, unspeakable conditions.

Here in Florida I do my part in spreading the word about moon bears, their plight, and Jill's recovery efforts as often as possible by attending Native American pow-wows where I share my original Native American poetry and, ALWAYS, the story of "How Shining Moon Bear Came To Be."

I don't know how many people have actually followed up and contacted Jill's website, and offered their support, but even if one person follows up because of my story and effort, I will consider myself successful in doing my share to help these beautiful bears.

I hope Clever Magazine keeps The Moon Bear Blog in each of its issues.

Terri Coffman
a/k/a Shining Moon Bear

Editor's Note: Yes, we will continue to carry Jill's blog on our home page.

Find it here!