Dog Days of Summer

Two weeks in Colorado on dog duty gave me lots of opportunities to eat Breakfast Burritos

Breakfast Burrito in Alpine, Wyoming

The Dog Days of Summer are traditionally the hottest days of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the Old Farmers Almanac.  The phrase goes back to ancient times when the Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans observed the dawn rise of Sirius, the Dog Star, in the constellation Canis Majoris. Sirius, whose name derives from the Ancient Greek word seirios, which means “scorching,” is the brightest star in the sky after our sun. The ancients believed the combination of the two caused the temperatures to rise and drove dogs and men mad with the heat. The dog days were marked with mayhem, unrest, and flooding, though the Egyptians benefitted from the flooding as the rains washed down arable soil they could then farm. Pennsylvania suffered from flooding this week, but it was just plain scorching out west.

Jimmy and Althea on the porch, the Innocents.

When our son Joe first called to ask if I would like to come to Longmont and care for their dogs while they went to Ireland, I leaped at the chance. I miss a dog in my life, and Jimmy, now 7, had spent a lot of time with me as a puppy. After much dog training and love from Joe, Neian, and Lilah, he matured into a well-behaved boy. Althea, seven months, was the new addition, but I felt confident I’d be able to handle the two of them for walks and romps in the stream. It wasn’t as carefree a holiday as I had anticipated.

 

They were wild hooligans together. Fortunately, the big backyard was the dog run and I didn’t have to take them out of the gate. They would have torn me asunder on a walk.

But I got my rhythm after a few days and learned I could go out of the house for a couple of hours each day if I planned it correctly. My first trip was to visit my friends Denise and Al, who have burritos every Friday from their neighborhood favorite, Danny’s Tacos y Tortas, on Hover Street. Their burrito was delicious and worth every penny of the $6.00 cost. We sat in their very European garden out back, sipped lattes, and talked about grandkids, travel, and the blessings of both.

Denise and Al Milligan enjoy chorizo burritos with green chile sauce on their patio every Friday morning.

Benny’s Tacos was a Longmont tradition, and my husband John was a big enthusiast. He loved telling the story of the time he went there and realized that he didn’t have any money with him when he went to pay. The young Mexican girls at the cash register let him go for it. At that time, the burritos were $2.50, and he returned the cash to them immediately. Things change. Post Covid, Benny’s Tacos is now known as Josie’s Tacos, but Josie was the original owner and recipe developer.  The burritos are $4.00 now and perfect for a handheld breakfast on Main Street while you wonder how the dogs are doing.

Josie's Tacos on Main Street in Longmont is a hometown favorite.

The Niwot Market has burritos in the hot case that are made in-house and are very tasty, according to Lilah, who enjoyed the sausage variety. Their burritos are $5.00, a bargain for a no-wait alternative at the busy breakfast spot. You can bring them home or sit and enjoy the bench out front that honors Bert, the well-loved market owner who passed away last year. His useful memorial bench honors his generosity and community spirit.

The Niwot Market Bert's Bench and a sausage burrito for a hungry Lilah.

Of course, it wasn’t all burritos. One day, I used my two-hour window to lunch with our former “Playground Playas” group, Kristin and her daughter Hanna, Sylvia, and Nikki. Seven years ago, we would meet weekly at the playground while getting children together for an after-school play date, and we had more fun than the kids. Our lunch on the porch at Chautauqua in Boulder was a nice respite on a hot day under the shadow of the Flatirons.

Lunch at Chautauqua with Sylvia Pratt, Hanna Sloan, Nikki Odenhal, and Kristin Gilbert of the Playground Playas Association.

I survived the two weeks with the dogs. Indeed, I enjoyed it once I trained myself to their rhythm. And it was great to hear all the tales from the old sod when the travelers returned and while they were all excited about it.

Now I’m back in Alpine, Wyoming, where the burritos at Punkins cost $8.40. I didn’t buy one; I’d rather make it myself.

This year’s Dog Days run from July 3 to August 11^th. Stay cool and dry!

Breakfast Burrito for one!

Breakfast Burrito

Makes 1

This is the most basic. Add cooked sausage, ham, bacon, or any leftover veggies you have on hand. And use any salsa verde or tomato salsa that you like.

One flour tortilla

One teaspoon of butter or oil

½ cup cooked potato

1egg, beaten and seasoned with salt and pepper

¼ cup grated Colby/Jack/cheddar cheese

¼ cup salsa of your choice, warm

Warm the flour tortilla in an ungreased frying pan, flipping it until the tortilla is pliable and a bit puffy.  Place the tortilla on a plate. Add the butter or oil to the pan and warm the potatoes, browning them slightly. Pour on the beaten egg and add the cheese as you combine the ingredients into a cohesive mass. Place the egg mixture on top of the tortilla, and pour on the warm salsa. Fold up the bottom, fold in the sides and roll up.

Buen provecho!