Summer, hot dogs and bathing suits

“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it" ~ Russell Baker

IT SEEMS APPROPRIATE to me that the first day of summer comes on the longest day of the year - it gives us more time to enjoy it.

Today, June 20, 2012 will last for 23 hours, 56 minutes and four seconds. Nope, not 24 hours, but close.

Here's some facts you may not already know about summer.

Summer Astrological facts:

• The Dog Days of Summer are between July 3 and August 11  and are named after the Dog Star (Sirius in the constellation of Canis Major.
• Here in Missoula, Montana, the sun will rise at 5:41 am and set at 9:34 pm. That's a lot of sunshine for one day.

Summer Fashion Facts:

• It's okay to wear those white pants. According to fashion police worldwide, white pants should only be worn between Memorial Day to Labor Day. That is right now.
• The Chinese invented sunglasses and were wearing them before the time of Jesus.
• The bathing suit also was around before the time of Christ. Invented by the Greeks in 350 BC, the bathing suit eventually lost its popularity and was replaced by the toga (at least for a while). BTW, the two-piece bathing suit was invented in the Fourth Century.

Summer Food Facts:

• There have been studies and it apparently takes 50 licks to eat a single scoop of ice cream. (July is Naitonal Ice Cream Month).
• The average American eats 60 hot dogs a year and there are rules about how to go about all of that consumption: The ketchup and mustard should be put on the hot dog, not on the bun; a hot dog should be eaten within five bites and consumers should use paper, rather than cloth, napkins.
• Get the kids to eat their vegetables. Serve them watermelon. Yup, it's a vegetable, not a fruit. In fact, it is the most popular vegetable during the summer. So, the next time the youngsters whine about vegetables, put a piece of chilled watermelon in front of them and walk away knowing you won that battle.

 Finally, summer only comes once a year - don't waste it!