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Freezer helps create 'air-conditioning unit' of buttons and beads that's worn outdoors
By Kathy Antoniotti
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Saturday, Jul 04, 2009
Some people use the expression dog days of summer when the weather can get so hot it may be dangerous for people to be outside.
Also called canicular days, it's a period when those of us in the northern hemisphere experience the hottest, most sultry weather of the summer. Dog days, named by the ancient Greeks and Romans, start around July 3 and end Aug. 11.
The time coincides with the rising in ancient times of the Dog Star, Sirius, with the sun.
Ancient astronomers named the star, part of the constellation Canis Major. It is the larger of the constellation Orion's two hunting dogs. Because the star rose at the same time near the Mediterranean Sea as the sun, people believed the star brought pestilence and sickness.
Sirius is among the very closest of all the stars to the Earth, only 8.6 light years away. It is also the brightest star in the heavens.
Meteorologists today know that extreme heat occurs when temperatures reach extremely high levels or when they combine with high humidity to make the air stifling. Humidity can make the body believe temperatures are higher than they really are.
Don't wait for Hot Enough For Ya Day on July 23 to try this craft to keep cool during the dog days of summer. A necklace made of ice cubes will do the trick. Use the directions that I found at http://www.familyfun.go.com on the Web and do a search for Ice Cube necklace. I modified the instructions for our use.
Supplies you will need:
• 3 feet of plastic lacing.
• Ice cube tray.
• Beads, buttons, colored plastic drinking straws.
• Clear tape.
• Scissors.
Leaving about 3 inches of lacing at one end, tie a knot to prevent your beads from falling off. You could also use multiple strands of embroidery thread or dental floss and a needle to string the beads.
Cut a few colored straws into 1-inch pieces.
Count the number of ice cube slots in the tray and thread a few beads onto the lacing or thread.
Push the beads and lacing down into the tray. When you run out of space, slide a piece of the straw on the lacing to make the cross over to the next slot.
Continue this way until all the slots are filled with beads or buttons.
If necessary, place clear tape over the straws to keep the beads down inside the slots.
When all the slots are filled with beads, pour water into the slots, covering the beads. Do not overfill so the ice cubes don't freeze together.
Place the tray in the freezer.
When frozen, pop the necklace out and wear it outside for a personal air-conditioning unit. As an added bonus, you will have a cool necklace after the ice cubes melt.
Kathy Antoniotti writes a craft column for the Beacon Journal. If you have a craft idea or question, contact Kathy Antoniotti, Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron OH 44309-0640; 330-996-3565; or via e-mail at kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com.
Some people use the expression dog days of summer when the weather can get so hot it may be dangerous for people to be outside.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, Oh
Posted 10:07 AM, 07/04/2009
Super cleaver, and so simple. Kids will love making this one. Try red, white, and blue beads for the 4th.
rather not say, Oh
Posted 02:19 PM, 07/04/2009
And bring a change of clothes after it soaks your shirt as it is melting. STUPID project. How about knotting off the plastic re-freezable cubes in a bandana and tying it around your neck? The bandana will absorb the condensation and it can be reused over and over. Works well when you have to mow the lawn on a hot day as well. Dogs will appreciate it, too.
Green, Oh
Posted 06:13 PM, 07/04/2009
Lifer:
I agree. I'm a little too long in the tooth to be sweating with overheated summer days.
I'm also too old to be walking around in a wet t shirt!
