To the Blue Ridge By Julie Reardon Cool Stuff for the Dog Days The humid, sultry dog days of summer are here, once thought to be an evil time when “the Sea boiled, the Wine turned sour, Dogs grew mad, and all other creatures became languid; causing to man, among other diseases, burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies.” according to Brady’s Clavis Calendaria, 1813. The name came from Sirius, also known as the dog star. The Ancient Greeks thought that Sirius’s emanations could affect dogs adversely, making them behave abnormally during the “dog days,” the hottest days of the summer. The Romans knew these days as dies caniculares, and the star Sirius was called Canicula, “little dog.” The excessive panting of dogs in hot weather was thought to place them at risk of desiccation and disease. Whatever you believe, the dog days are a good time to take a vacation, or even if you already did, or couldn’t take one due to finances, time and/or work, enjoy a mini vacation in the hunt country before Labor Day. You won’t be alone—plenty of people are sticking close to home this summer. Yes, it’s hot outside, but it’s summer in Virginia so pick a cool activity that won’t be available for much longer and enjoy. Soon enough, we’ll all be complaining about the cold weather. We love horses out here, and you can come enjoy them too. Whether it’s a polo game, a horse show, or a scenic Blue Ridge trail ride, there is something for everyone this month. Polo continues every weekend, whether it’s a Friday afternoon “social polo” game at Banbury Cross on Rt. 50 just east of Middleburg, or the Saturday twilight polo series at Great Meadow in The Plains. At the end of the month, jumpers take to…