THE DOG DAYS

They are here, the dog days of August. The temperature is approaching one hundred and the humidity is about the same. Each afternoon brings thunderstorms but no relief. The dogs lie down on the marble floor and pant even though the air conditioning keeps the house at a comfortable 72. They are not pleased with the term "dog days." They are insulted by it and refuse to be amused when such miserable weather is named after their kind. They think "cat house" is hilarious, though.

Crazy things come with the dog days. Here in Philadelphia, the Mayor is preparing to lay off 3000 city employees because the State has refused to pass a budget and the city's finances are closely tied to the State's. Since July 1, State workers have not been paid, nor have any vendors. No budget; no money. The Republican controlled State House of Representatives is about to declare its summer recess and go home. The rest of us just watch, take names and hope we remember them come election time.

Crazy times, these dog days.