Wednesday 5 September 2012

End of Summer?

This week, in the northern hemisphere, school has started after summer holidays. Even though it is not officially the end of summer, that being after the fall equinox, it marks the end of traditional summer holiday season.


We are long past the "Dog Days" of summer, an expression for the hottest days in the middle of summer, which has astral roots:

""Dog Days" (Latin: diēs caniculārēs) are the hottest, most sultry days of summer. In the Northern Hemisphere, the dog days of summer are most commonly experienced in the months of July and August, which typically observe the warmest summer temperatures. In the Southern Hemisphere, they typically occur in January and February, in the midst of the austral summer. The name comes from the ancient belief that Sirius, also called the Dog Star, in proximity to the sun was responsible for the hot weather." (Wikipedia)
 
This past week and weekend, the "last" of the summer saw furious summer activity, as children and adults  tried to pack as much of their summer to do and to see list into the remains of summer holidays.

Early mist over Vancouver, a moored boat and a lone rower
 
 
Fishing off the dock at Jericho beach
 
The early summer here was cool and wet but the fine weather did come and yes we did have some "Dog Days". The weather has cooled now and the days are getting shorter, perhaps we will get an "Indian Summer", but more on that next week.
 
For now I want to focus on this last weekend of summer and share a few images with you.


 


















 
Are we born knowing the Ice Cream Truck song?

The beaches were packed with swimmers, surfers, sailors and picnickers and the traffic was heavy at the end of the holiday weekend as people poured back into the city from camping, hiking trips and visits to the cottage.

 
 














Well here is a blast from the past, "See You in September", the Tempos from 1959:

 
Probably should have used this in May or June, but maybe it's not too late to relive this one now.
 
 
I had great news this week, my painting "Sweet Serenade" was accepted into a juried show at the Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery on Granville Island (1241 Cartwright Street). Sweet Serenade is a watercolour, 11" X 8", and will be included in the "Autumn Salon" Exhibition September 25 to October 7, 2012.
 
Here is "Sweet Serenade":
 
 

I am so glad you dropped in for a visit with me today.

Happy end of summer "Whimsy Wednesday", until next time......

 

26 comments:

  1. Thank you, I've always wondered where the phrase came from. We are still getting extreme temperatures here over 30 at times...

    The nights are cool, very cool, and that's good.

    Love the beachy shots.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  2. oh, congratulations!!!

    love all the families celebrating summer.

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  3. What wonderful end of summer shots you have compiled for us. I loved seeing all the children at the beach enjoying the days of freedom before going back to school. "Sweet Serenade" will be much admired at the show. Congratulations Gillian!

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  4. Oh, in Japan, we have "Dog Days" for more than two months in summer! The origin of "Dog Days" interested me very much. I read Wikipedia in Japanese. I got to know in Japan also, it is called 犬星、Dog Star or 青星、Blue Star. How interesting!! Thanks for a nice information! Autumn is good season for reading. I will read Greek Myth about stars.
    Congratulations! "Sweet Serenade" is so sweet!!

    keiko

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  5. This is a welcome round up. Summer is here this week.
    I really like your painting. Let us hope it wins.

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  6. beautiful images of your summer !
    congratulations for your painting !
    hope you will show us some images of this exhibition !
    wish you a wonderful september !

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  7. Another wonderful post! I did not know where the term "dog days" originated until I read this post. very interesting. Time really does fly. I cannot believe that autumn is almost here. Your summer photographs are cheery and glorious!

    Congratulations on having your beautiful watercolor chosen for the art show. Very exciting and well deserved!

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  8. It's good to hear your summer ended with good weather! Love all the beach scenes.

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  9. Beautiful beach time again, lots of fun. And, well done with "Sweet Serenade".

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  10. A great series of end of summer images. They make me extra happy with the knowledge that our summer in the southern hemisphere can't be far away. Your painting "Sweet Serenade" is beautiful.

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  11. Wonderful summer shots and I also love your art. I always think of labor day weekend as a signal of summer ending.

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  12. Really sweet painting!!!! Finished and gorgeous.....love the background touches this round. I'm feeling the subtle shift as well and I'm excited for the cooler temps to come back again. It's pretty exciting. Love your soon to be fall shots as we near the month of October. What a beautiful time to enjoy the weather!

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  13. Congratulations on the painting! It is beautiful!! Enjoyed your photos of summer.

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  14. I really do have to start off by saying how beautiful your painting is. I can see why they chose it. I love it.. I am so happy for you. And Your summer photos look wonderful. But I have to say I am ready for summer to be over. The heat here in Vegas is hard to take.

    Hugs~

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  15. Fantastic summer shots! It's hard to believe it's over already. Congratulations on your painting! That's awesome!

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  16. Gillian, I love all the summer shots. I am kind of sad it is almost over. I am not looking forward to snow and icy weather. Congrats on your Sweet Serenade, it is a beautiful watercolor. Awesome post, have a great day!

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  17. We had our first spring like weekend here - but the cold has come back today! But spring really is not that far away for us.

    Thanks for commenting on WBW.

    Stewart M - Australia

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  18. It's always sad to say good-bye to the summer.

    Wonderful shots of your summer.

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  19. First, my heartfelt "congratulations" for your success with that wonderful painting, Gillian. You have been working consistently and with great self-discipline to improve your skills, and though I'm far from an expert, I do feel this is a winner.

    As for the many pleasures of summer, you caught the flavour of past and present just perfectly. I guess, now, we can be happy for those on the other side of the world as they look forward to their turn.

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  20. Gillian, your Sweet Serenade is absolutely gorgeous. How I love Chickadees and you've captured this one beautifully. The soft, swirling colours of the background are wonderful. Congrats.. well deserved. I also like your serenade to the end of summer. And I'm glad your song selection was See You in September and not the ice cream truck jingle. ;)

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  21. Our July and August are all “Dog Days” and we are still having “Dog Days” this week. The meaning behind “Dog Days” is interesting. All the summer photos are pleasant to see. Last but not least, congratulations! “Sweet Serenade” is exquisite.

    Yoko

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  22. The "dog days" around here (SF Bay)are usually the best days. Warmer than summer and little or no fog.

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  23. What a delicious color for a summer umbrella! It makes me think of orange popsicles.

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  24. Sweet Serenade is a delightful painting, congrats on it's acceptance!

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  25. Lovely photos. Summer's coming to an end here, too, although it barely seems to have begun. That is another lovely bird painting. BTW, the painting you did of my Puffin photos look lovely now I've got it printed. Let me know if you want to paint any more of my pics!

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