Six More Weeks of Summer? Or Not?
But what about whether or not there will be six more weeks of Summer? Shouldn't there be a holiday on August 2 to help us determine that? Clearly our calendar is missing a very important holiday. Is it an oversight, or are we simply in denial and think Summer can last forever?
Ground Fog Day: A Day Not to Be Mist
Your questions answered, mostly
Q. Haven't we gotten along just fine without Ground Fog Day?A. Have we really? I think people have been in denial about the end of Summer. They go merrily along, wearing Bermuda shorts, tank tops, bikinis and such, then suddenly - BLAM! - it's Labor Day (or Labour Day in Canada) and the next thing you know, the kids are back in school, then the leaves start turning, and the next thing (or should that be the next next thing?) you know, you step outside in your Bermuda shorts or bikini and you freeze your, um, well, something rather vital off. The time has come for a national or even international Ground Fog Day.Wouldn't a little advance warning help?
Q. You ended with a question! Isn't that my job?
A. You're right. Sorry. Go ahead.
Q. Why do you say its time has come?
A. Its time has come because...well...ummm...uhhhh...because I thought of it, that's why!
Q.You started this lens in September 2008. A little late, weren't you?
A. Hey! I'm no amateur crastinator; I'm a pro! Look at it this way: there's plenty of time to develop this idea before August 2, 2009. Besides, there's a story behind why I started the lens in September.
Q. And you're going to tell the story, aren't you?
A. Of course! Back in the '70s a co-worker and I were doing a monthly employee newsletter. I'd seen something about little-known holidays and notable dates in history, none of which really existed, and decided to devote a page to a month's worth of similar stuff like "Procrastinators New Years Day" (March 1) and "First Sunday of Lint." For August 2, I wrote in "Ground Fog Day." At the time, that was it. Then in September 2008 I was looking up stuff about the Portland (Oregon) Pirate Festival and recalled the "Talk Like a Pirate Day" founders had been there in 2007. I was thinking they must have had fun making up their own holiday. It made me remember that long-ago calendar and Ground Fog Day seemed like a holiday to create. Being six months from Groundhog Day, it seemed to have possibilities.
Q. Aren't there more than six weeks between August 2 and the first day of Autumn?
A. You had to get technical, didn't you? (Oops, sorry, that was a question.) Yes, you're right, but people know Groundhog Day is February 2. I figure if we try to establish Ground Fog Day on another date, people might get confused. Heck, I might get confused! Besides the dates of the Vernal Equinox (when Spring starts) and the Autumnal Equinox (three guesses what starts then, first two don't count) keep moving around a bit, so neither February 2 or August 2 are six (or seven) weeks before them. Also, back in the 1700s they changed the calendar, which threw things off several days. It's more like seven weeks for Ground Fog Day, but again, people (and I) could get confused if we talk about seven more weeks of Summer because they're used to hearing about Groundhog Day and six more weeks of Winter. Let's keep it simple.
Q. Like you?
A. Hey!
Q. Sorry, but "seven more weeks of Summer" sounds better.
A. I can't answer that since you didn't ask a question.
Q. Picky, picky, picky. All right, try this: You said "we." Who are "we"?
A. To start off, it's just me. I'm hoping people won't think too hard about what that means: I'm writing both sides of this conversation. I'm also hoping people will have some ideas about Ground Fog Day and help out.
Q. Do you really think people are that weird?
A. Clearly some are. Have you seen the lens for the Mosquito Protection Society? Or the lens for Talk Like a Pirate Day? Ever heard of Dave Barry, who helped make Talk Like a Pirate Day an international phenomenon? What about Jasper Fforde?
Q. OK, I see your point, and I'll even forgive you for putting four questions in an answer.
A. And I'll forgive you for not asking a question again.
What Is Ground Fog?
A. Technically speaking, the term for the type of fog in question is radiation fog. It forms at night under a clear sky when cool air pools in low-lying areas. As Autumn approaches, the temperature in the low-lying areas is more likely to get to within five degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 degrees Celsius) of the dewpoint at night and fog forms.Q. Radiation? Does that mean we'll need Geiger counters and those bulky suits like they wear in nuclear power plants?
A. No. We're talking about radiation, not radioactivity. Heat radiates from the ground when air cools. If there are no clouds, heat radiates into space and ground fog can form. If it's cloudy, some of the heat gets trapped by the clouds and no ground fog forms.
Q. How deep does ground fog get?
A. It can be very shallow sometimes, not even up to your knees. At other times it can cover a house.
Q. When does ground fog become just plain old fog?
A. Ground fog covers less than 60% of the sky and doesn't extend to the base of any overhead clouds. Most people think of ground fog as being rather shallow, as shown in the photo. "Regular" fog is usually much deeper, more widespread and more of a hazard to drivers and pilots.
Q. Is it dangerous?
A. It can be if it forms over a road and obscures road markings or is deep enough to hide other cars. But even off the road it could be dangerous. If it's thick, it could be hiding the infamous Bugblatter Beast of Traal!
Q. But isn't the infamous Bugblatter Beast of Traal so stupid it assumes if you can't see it, it can't see you?
A. Well, yes, so it's not much of a danger unless you happen to stumble over one. I've heard they get quite annoyed about that.
Q. How do you grind fog?A. All right, now you're just being silly.
Q. Why does the porridge bird lay its eggs in the air?
A. Really. Stop!
Is there an official site for Ground Fog Day?
Punxsutawney, PA is the town that comes to mind (often misspelled in many minds) for Groundhog Day, but it's only one of many places that have their own weather-prognosticating groundhogs. So over time, as this idea catches on like wildfire, there can be more than one location where Ground Fog Day is observed.
To start off, I'm thinking of some low-lying place in Boring, Oregon. That's partly because I live not too far away from Boring, and partly because with a name like that, the town could probably use a little excitement once a year. I'm also thinking any place Ground Fog Day is observed should have an interesting name, even though saying Boring is interesting sounds like an oxymoron.
Add your suggestions here.
Lake Wobegon, Minnesota
It's in Mist County. Problem is, both the town and more...1 point
East Jamaica, Vermont
Along the Whetstone Brook where the ground fog swe more...1 point
MobyD Was not in Boring, OR on August 2
How's that for planning ahead?
I still think Boring, OR is a good site for Ground Fog Day, but I wasn't there for the 2009 event (such as it is - might've been just me prowling the byways of Boring alone looking for mist).It turns out that Ground Fog Day 2009 also coincided with the last day of Faerieworlds. The Faerieworlds Festival was held this year at Mt. Pisgah Arboretum in the Howard Buford Recreation Area, a Lane County park, just to the southeast of Eugene, Oregon. 2009 wass the first year they offered onsite camping, which gave me the opportunity to see some of the later activities instead of heading to Eugene and a motel room or driving two and a half hours to get home.
The area is along the Willamette River, so it's low-lying and might have good ground fog possibilities. Of course, that means getting out of bed at an awfully early hour after being up late Saturday night.
In 2010, August 2nd will be Monday and I'll no doubt stay over on Sunday night rather that start driving home after 9 p.m., so that'll be two years in a row I'll be at Mount. Pisgah.
Mt. Pisgah oak savanna Flickr photo by drcornelius used under Creative Commons 2.0 license.
So, Was There any Ground Fog?
There will be six (or is it seven?) more weeks of summer.
I doubt there was any ground fog in Boring, OR either. The area had been going through quite a heat wave, with some cities and towns in the Pacific Northwest breaking or tying their all-time high temperatures.
The morning temperature on August 3 was a more normal 57, but that still didn't produce any ground fog.
Does Ground Fog Day have a mascot?
I haven't thought of a mascot yet. It would be nice to have one, although how you choose a mascot for the appearance of low-lying mist could be a problem. Groundhog Day has it easy - there's a groundhog with a funny name. Perhaps we should get mistical, er, mystical and make the mascot something like a faerie or a pixie.
Your suggestions are welcome.
Is there an official Ground Fog Day song?
The first thing that comes to mind for a song is "Misty," written in 1954 by pianist Erroll Garner with lyrics by Johnny Burke, which became the signature song of Johnny Mathis.
I'm open to suggestions, which you can post here.
Foghorn Leghorn
I say, I say, I think Foghorn works out better as more...2 points
Is there an official Ground Fog Day drink?
Ah, now we're talking! I'm thinking it should be the Fog Cutter, but maybe that's too obvious, so I've added a few other drinks with "fog" in the name.
Got any other suggestions?
London Fog with Absinthe
1 1/2 oz gin
1/4 oz Deva%uFFFD absinthe
Frappe in more...1 point
A Few More Questions about Ground Fog Day
With answers that might even make sense, but don't count on it
Q. How is Ground Fog Day celebrated?A. On August 2, people head out to be at the locally designated Ground Fog Day site by sunrise.
Q. By sunrise? You mean I'd have to get out of bed that early?
A. Um, yeah. Ground fog usually dissipates soon after the sun hits it.
Q. You're kidding, right?
A. Well, um, let's see...you could party all night the night before and then go out to the site.
Q. OK, that might work. So you go out to wherever the site is. Then what?
A. This is where it gets a little different from Groundhog Day. The big thing on February 2 is the shadow. If the groundhog sees his shadow, there's going to be six more weeks of Winter. With Ground Fog Day, the big thing is the ground fog (duh!). But if you see ground fog, that doesn't mean six more weeks of Summer. It means an early Autumn because the ground fog and Autumn are both associated with cooler weather.
Q. Don't you mean an early Fall?
A. That depends on how many Fog Cutters you had partying all night.
Q. So you go out, don't see any ground fog and there's going to be six (or seven) more weeks of Summer. Then what do you do?
A. Keep on partying if you're up to it, or go home and Autumn, er, fall into bed knowing there's more bikini weather ahead. Or so you hope.
Q. On the other hand, you go out, you see ground fog and that says there's going to be an early Autumn. What do you do then?
A. Keep on partying like crazy because you know time is running short.
Q. So this is just an excuse to party, right?
A. You seem to be catching on.
Ground Fog Day: Has its time really come?
Do we really need a Ground Fog Day?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes! How have we survived without it?
Aquavel says:
Excellent idea for early August. I think a coastal city like San Francisco would be perfect. It's nick name is Fog City. It has the famous Fog City dinner and may even have a Dew Drop Inn.Lots of fog and lots of fog horns. You'll need those. Will you be the presiding official? ~ SF has its own notoriety so Ground Fog Day could go to another place, but I think it should be near the coast. Where's Boring? 5*s
Posted January 12, 2009
MEDHAT141 says:
I guess it's just another "Reason" to party as opposed to an "Excuse", I know Symantics. So yeah Ground Fog Day.
I was raised in Santa Cruz, I know fog. Usually headed for the hills towards the sun.
Posted January 09, 2009
Evelyn_Saenz says:
My grandma always said, "When the fog goes up the rain comes down, so Ground Fog Day might need to calculate umbrellas into the celebration but we certainly need to celebrate.
Posted November 03, 2008
Susan52 says:
I think this is a great idea. Hallmark will love it! Please let them know so they can begin preparing Ground Fog Day greeting cards!
Posted September 21, 2008
OldGrampa says:
Yes, I can see it now. Ground Fog TV specials, toys and collectables, T shirts and bumper stickers.
Posted September 19, 2008
enslavedbyfaeries says:
Marking my calendar right now! I'm not sure how we've gone on this far without Ground Fog Day, but I'm not going another year without making the most of it. Now, can you please post the recipe for Fog Cutters?
Posted September 18, 2008
No. The whole thing is entirely too silly.
Greekgeek says:
I love it! But with great ideas comes great responsibility. And more importantly, tons of annoying marketing. I'm scared my grocery store would seize on it and devote an aisle to Fog Peep Marshmallow Treats, Ground Fog Day picnic gear, and a ton of un-recyclable plastic kitsch.
Posted March 04, 2009
Amanda_Blue says:
I do not think the idea of Ground Fog Day is silly, I think
it's heinous! How dare you question my inalienable right to go barefoot in December?! Denially Yours, AB
Posted October 20, 2008
Travel to Beautiful Downtown Boring via Portland, OR
Groundhog Day Books & the Movie
Groundhog Day!
This is a children's book (Amazon assigns a reading level of ages 4 to 8) that gives information about groundhogs, why people use hibernating animals like them to determine spring's arrival, and the celebrations that developed around them.
The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun
This children's book (reading level ages 9 to 12) focuses on Punxsutawney Phil and the celebrations on Gobbler's Knob, where the gates to the area open at 3 a.m. (Yikes!) There's also information about the changing of seasons, groundhogs and other animals around the world that perform similar functions to Phil's.
Send in the Clouds
Books about Clouds and Weather
The Book of Clouds
Everything from ground fog to the highest cirrus is covered by John Day, who has a Ph.D in cloud physics. The fact that there is such a degree means the subject of airborne moisture is more complex and fascinating than you might think.
National Audubon Society Pocket Guide to Clouds and Storms (National Audubon Society Pocket Guides)
A beautifully illustrated and compact guide.
The Weather Identification Handbook: The Ultimate Guide for Weather Watchers
The author's name is Storm Dunlop - gotta love that! But beyond that, according to Amazon, the book covers cloud classification, How to identify different cloud types and how they relate to forthcoming weather, how clouds are formed, optical phenomena, precipitation, wind, severe weather, weather systems, satellite images and weather maps
Storm Chaser: A Photographer's Journey
Let's face it: Ground fog is a pretty laid-back weather phenomenon. In Jim Reed's book, we get a professional photographer and storm chaser's look at something considerably more exciting.
Weather for Dummies
How could I not include this? Seriously, though, like all "For Dummies" books, it's a good introduction to the subject.
So, what do you think about Ground Fog Day?
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- Ramkitten Ramkitten Jul 7, 2009 @ 4:06 pm
- Very creative! I enjoyed this. I'm afraid that my home of Flagstaff, Arizona won't do for the site of Ground Fog Day. I don't know if I've EVER seen fog here. Smoke, yes. Fog ...uh-uh.
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- Derrayjac Derrayjac Apr 20, 2009 @ 6:03 am
- Great lens, love the Out side the box thinking, Live in Ireland so lot of ground fog days, Cheers
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- eclecticeducation eclecticeducation Mar 23, 2009 @ 11:08 pm
- lol!!! Cute lens! 5* I'm one of those people who every year can't believe summer is already over. This would be a good holiday for me!!!
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- tandemonimom tandemonimom Mar 20, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
- Please add this wonderful potential holiday lens to the newly created All Holiday Humor> group!
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- poddys poddys Mar 13, 2009 @ 7:57 pm
- Great original idea for a lens, I love it! 5*****. Favorited, Lensrolled to my Humor lenses, and welcomed into the "Laugh Away" group.
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- susannaduffy susannaduffy Mar 8, 2009 @ 7:27 am
- I always enjoy the ancient, yet heart warming rituals of Ground Fog Day - either lovingly handed down from mother to daughter through the ages, or devised last week by those whose tongue is planted firmly in the cheek.
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- OhMe OhMe Mar 1, 2009 @ 11:54 am
- Oh me! Oh my! You are just too clever! I am going to start planning my Ground Fog Day Today!
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- awelldressedbullet awelldressedbullet Feb 23, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
- Just too funneeee, I love it, yes, we absolutely must have a Ground Fog Day! - Kathy
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- freddi freddi Feb 6, 2009 @ 11:47 am
- This was hilarious! Love your sense of humor. 5 stars! Very witty. I enjoyed this.
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- Aquavel Aquavel Feb 5, 2009 @ 8:11 pm
- Hi MobyD ~ Thanks for your 5*s and positive review of my lens. Now that Groundhog Day is over, I've been thinking about your efforts at promoting Ground Fog Day. Knowing a bit about the history of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, I think the best way to make Ground Fog Day an annual happening is just to start celebrating. You have the date. Pick a place. Make sure you're at the helm. Invite a circle of supportive friends. After that, invite everybody. The numbers will increase. You definitely have the character to make this day a success. Just go for it.
The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club was started in the late 1800s as a group of friends who hunted Groundhog in the summer and BBQ'd it on Groundhog's Day. A successful and eccentric surgeon was a the helm. Fast forward into the 20th century and the Groundhog Club had an Inner Circle and the Groundhog was looked upon as a VIP and the true forecaster and from that time on "Punxsutawney Phil" was revered and never again roasted.
So jum
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- Aquavel Aquavel Feb 2, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
- Stopping by to wish you and yours a HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY! ~ from the Groundhog & Ground Fog enthusiasts fromGroundhog Day.
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- tandemonimom tandemonimom Jan 20, 2009 @ 9:08 pm
- PS: Lensrolled to my two holiday humor lenses:
Funniest Mother's Day Video
Gift-Wrapped Traffic Cams
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- tandemonimom tandemonimom Jan 20, 2009 @ 9:04 pm
- Well, if we're all going out to search for Ground Fog in August, I'm guessing we'll need towels in case we run into the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal? Or will we need the fog grinders to protect us? It's okay, I'm froody, I know where my towel is!
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- vbright105 vbright105 Jan 13, 2009 @ 9:18 am
- I'll bet you could get corporate sponsorship on this idea! :)
Great job!
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- Aquavel Aquavel Jan 13, 2009 @ 3:11 am
- (I thought I had already submitted a comment. In case it's pending approval, please delete the duplicate.)
Ground Fog Day is an excellent idea for early August. I think a coastal city would be perfect. For example, SF has the nick name is Fog City. It has the famous Fog City dinner and may even have a Dew Drop Inn.Lots of fog and lots of fog horns, which you'll need. ~SF has enough publicity of it own so how 'bout a town on the west coast of Oregon?
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- MEDHAT141 MEDHAT141 Jan 9, 2009 @ 1:46 am
- I think its a way cool idea, it doesn't matter what season is coming, just be grateful you are here to see it. whether you walk in the grass in the fog or not. A day to celebrate life is a good day!
Kim~medhat141
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- Squidster Squidster Jan 5, 2009 @ 2:12 am
- In times like these, a national Ground Fog Day might just be the economic stimulus a place like Boring could use well. Aside from Neofelis nebulosa I'd also like to contribute some Angel fog for outstanding creativity! ^:)^
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- AndyPo AndyPo Nov 17, 2008 @ 10:30 am
- Excellent idea. We don't have Ground Hog Day in England though, just the ancient Saint Swithun's Day (15th July):
'St Swithin's Day, if it does rain
Full forty days, it will remain
St Swithin's Day, if it be fair
For forty days, t'will rain no more.'
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- Evelyn_Saenz Evelyn_Saenz Nov 3, 2008 @ 4:03 am
- Happy Ground Fog Day!
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- Amanda_Blue Amanda_Blue Oct 20, 2008 @ 10:52 pm
- If this Ground Fog Day notion goes any further, I will be forced to report you to the authorities. The very idea should be nipped in the bud!
- Load More
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