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Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
–Emily Brontë (1818–48)
New Discoveries
October 9—Leif Eriksson Day
When the Vikings ventured far out into the Atlantic Ocean, they found a new land and called it Greenland. Shortly thereafter, in the year 1000, Leif Eriksson and his Vikings sailed west from Greenland and reached what is now called Newfoundland. Although Eriksson is not credited with discovering America, Congress has declared October 9 Leif Eriksson Day.
Who is Leif Eriksson? Learn more.
October 12—Columbus Day (observed)
On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on a small island in the Bahamas, convinced that he had reached the East Indies. Now, by federal law, Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October.
A Snowy Forecast
Weather lore warns that every fog in October will bring a snow come winter. Our winter forecast predicts that most of North America will have below-normal temperatures, on average.
Snowfall will be above normal in the northern and Intermountain regions and along the Atlantic coast.
If you have not seen our winter forecast yet, please pick up a copy of The 2010 Old Farmer’s Almanac today. You can also find the newsstand and hardcover editions in our online store.
Bird Wreath
As the weather gets cooler in much of the continent, consider making a treat for the birds in your backyard.
Gather some vines, dried sunflower heads, herbs, tall grasses, and flowers with seed heads. Click here for instructions.
And, enjoy these great bird food recipes, to be used anytime but especially in the cold winter months.
info posted from the FREE Almanac Companion Newsletter. Send the complete newsletter to yourself or a friend Here.
SECRETS OF THE ZODIAC
When Mercury Is Retrograde
Sometimes the other planets appear to be traveling backward through the zodiac; this is an illusion. This illusion is called retrograde motion.
Mercury is retrograde from September 7 through 29.
Many astrologers will tell you that Mercury’s retrograde periods could cause our plans to go awry. When Mercury, the planet of communication, is in retrograde . . .
* Remain flexible, allow extra time for travel, and avoid signing contracts.
* Be patient with relationships, snafus related to technology, traffic jams, and normal annoyances during this time.
* Review projects and plans at these times, but wait until Mercury is direct again to make any final decisions.
However, this is an excellent time to reflect on the past. Intuition is high during these periods and coincidences can be extraordinary.
How is your zodiac sign influenced when Mercury is in retrograde? Read “Mercury in Retrograde.”
Do you know your zodiac sign? Click here for our new Zodiac Profiles tool and just enter your birthday.
See the”Best Days” for certain activities, based on the Moon’s sign.
Methods for Predicting the Weather
• Cats remaining indoors, devoid of vivacity, forecast wet or windy weather.
• Owls hooting and screeching during bad weather foretell fine weather near at hand.
• Sheep run to and fro, jump from the ground, and fight before a change of weather.
• Many flowers close their petals as rain approaches, opening them again after rain.
• Plenty of acorns indicates a severe winter ahead. Thin onion skins mean a mild winter.
Wondering What Winter May Bring?
The 2010 Old Farmer’s Almanac delivers a new year of long-range weather forecasts.
Overall, the Almanac predicts that most of the continent will have below-normal winter temperatures, on average. Find out your regional forecasts.
The Merry Month of May
May is named for the Roman goddess Maia, who ruled over the growth of plants.
Indeed, farmers and gardeners in most of the country try to complete all planting this month. Old-timers get suspicious if the weather is too balmy: “A snowstorm in May is worth a wagonload of hay,” they counsel.
The ancient Celts inaugurated this month with the festival of Beltane or May Day to encourage fertility in the newly sown fields. (In their calendar, May Day was halfway between the start of spring and start of summer.)
The month that began with dancing around the maypole ends with Memorial Day, a poignant reminder of the fragility and tenacity of life.
May brings a surge of energy. By the end of the month, even those who live in the North are enjoying more than 15 hours of daylight each day. We say, Enjoy every minute of it!
See the length of day in your area with our Rise and Set tool.
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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo (May 5)! Here are some favorite Mexican food dishes: Our Empanadas can be made as a hearty first course, small lunch, or one-bite cocktail snacks. Dessert Empanadas are a sweet variation that look like golden mini turnovers. Chicken Fajitas or Shrimp Fajitas are an easy, tasty dish wrapped in warm tortillas.
This Mexican Chicken and Bean Soup is a past Almanac recipe contest winner. It’s featured on our Web site, courtesy of the The Old Farmer’s Almanac Everyday Cookbook. |
Guacamole
Welcoming March
When people talk about March weather, they always seem to mention the lamb and lion saying. Some skywatchers believe that there’s a heavenly connection. The constellation Leo, the lion, is rising in the east at the beginning of March, hence the “comes in like a lion,” while Aries, the ram, sets in the west at the end of March, and so “will go out like a lamb.”
She is Venus when she smiles;
But she’s Juno when she walks,
And Minerva when she talks.
–Ben Jonson (1573–1637)
A Beautiful Encounter
On February 27, Venus attains its greatest brilliancy at a truly dazzling magnitude –4.8 and spectacularly encounters the crescent Moon.
Bright Venus has dominated the night sky for months now, impossible not to notice. On the 27th, the blazing planet named after the goddess of love seems to court the young sliver of the new Moon, with the pair sitting side-by-side as darkness falls.
It’s almost fitting that this event occurs during February, the month of valentines.
For more Skywatch, see the current and next two months for free.
January 25—Burns Night
The birthday of Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns (1759–96), has become an occasion for Scots around the world to gather together for a Burns Night Supper of haggis and song. What is haggis? See more.
January 26—Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year is based on the lunar/solar calendar, rather than our Western (Gregorian) calendar. It’s the year of the ox! What is your animal sign?
Healing Plants
• To fight winter colds and flu, look to herbs with strong scents—rosemary, thyme, sage, basil, oregano, and others; their oils have immune-boosting antiseptic and antibiotic qualities.
• For relief from dry winter air, try a warm compress made from a decoction of cloves and gingerroot to clear sinuses.
• To ease sore throats, make your own gargle by adding a teaspoon or two of cider vinegar, sage, chamomile, or lemon juice to warm water.
• For fever, take cayenne pepper (in food, broth, or tea) to warm the body, promote sweating, and enhance the body’s infection-fighting ability.
• Cinnamon toothpaste can be used for its antiseptic qualities to kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Soak toothbrushes in mouthwash to prevent colds from circulating.
Flu season often peaks in early February. Did you know that there’s a new way to predict when the flu might hit your state? See this tip and more advice on how to avoid getting sick.
A Wonderful Sight
December 12 — The Full Cold Moon
Sky watchers will be dazzled by an exceptionally high, bright, and large Moon. In fact, this Moon is 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full Moons this year. Why? The Moon is both in its full phase and at a point in its orbit that is nearest Earth, called its perigee. When these events occur together, the Moon is closer to Earth than usual. The effect? The Full Cold Moon will appear especially large near the horizon as the Sun sets.
The Moon is also high at this time of year; when it’s overhead (near midnight), it will light up the landscape. Take a magical stroll and see your world at night. You won’t need a flashlight!
December 13 — St. Lucia’s Day
St. Lucia was a fourth-century Italian martyr. Her name is derived from the Latin lux, meaning “light.” By Swedish tradition, the oldest daughter dons a crown of burning candles and wakes the family with coffee and St. Lucia buns.
December 14 — Halcyon Days begin
The ancient Greeks and Romans believed halcyon days to occur around the winter solstice. This was supposedly a period of calm weather when the kingfisher (halcyon) could brood her eggs on a floating nest at sea.
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Poinsettia Survival Tips Cyclamen Growing Tips Tree Talk Decorate with Greenery |
Keep your poinsettia in a cool spot, evenly moist, and out of drafts until you can move it outdoors in the spring.
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Cut wrapping paper scraps into strips to make decorative paper chains for the Christmas tree. It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving. –Mother Teresa |
Before you read the following I have to note a quote I read SOMEWHERE today. I don’t know where it came from or who said it. I read it, noted it and moved on and now I have nothing but the phrase in my head.
Do not tell God how big the storm is: Tell the Storm How Big Your God Is!
and now the main feature……….
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Thanksgiving StormsNovember 24–25, 1971—Thanksgiving Snowstorm November 25, 1983—The Great Thanksgiving Weekend Blizzard November 26, 1987—Thanksgiving Day Storm November 23, 1989—Thanksgiving Day Storm What weather is in store for your Thanksgiving Day? Find out what The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts. |
Albany, N.Y., picked up 22.5 inches, the greatest November snowfall on record, with amounts up to 30 inches reported elsewhere. |
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The average person in the U.S. will eat 17 pounds of turkey this year; the average Canadian will eat 9 pounds. Why did Ben Franklin want the turkey to be the symbol of the U.S.? See turkey trivia! Turkeys purchased on trees and refusing to descend indicate snow —Old weather proverb |
Only male turkeys, or toms, can gobble. It is a mating call and attracts the hens.
The carved jack-o’-lantern dates back to medieval Ireland. Its legend involves an Irishman named Jack who was too stingy to go to heaven and too mischievous to go to hell. Jack had to wander Earth until Judgment Day with a lantern made from a hollowed-out turnip with a live coal inside. Children started making these lanterns on Halloween; in the New World, they switched from turnips to pumpkins.
Sincerely, The Old Farmer’s Almanac
October 24 — United Nations Day
Today is noted as United Nations Day to mark the anniversary of the United Nations charter, which went into effect on October 24, 1945.
October 31 — Halloween (All Hallows’ Eve)
This day was known as Samhain to the ancient Celts — the death night of the old year.
November 1 — All Saints’ Day (Hallowmas)
This is the day when all the saints are honored — especially those who do not have a day of their own. The idea probably began in the 4th century as a way to honor Christian martyrs whose names were unknown. In an attempt to replace the popular pagan festival of the dead Samhain, the church moved the celebration of All Saints’ to November 1.
November 2 — Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 A.M.
Daylight Saving Time was first observed in the United States during World War I and then again during World War II. The time change was enacted to provide more light in the evening hours. This year, Daylight Saving Time started on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
Frost Charts
The nights are getting colder, and many of us have already had a hard freeze. Here are frost charts for the United States and Canada, which will help you to determine when the first frost will nip your pumpkin patch or flower bed — if it hasn’t already!
The mug of cider simmered slow,
The apples sputtered in a row,
And, close at hand, the basket stood
With nuts from brown October’s wood.
–John Greenleaf Whittier
(1807–1892)
Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
–Emily Brontë (1818–48)
Make a Wreath for the Birds
Illustration by Margo Letourneau.
EPTEMBER IS the beginning of fall, and harvesttime is near. To make something very special for the birds in your neighborhood, gather some vines, dried sunflower heads, herbs, tall grasses, and flowers with seed heads. Start with a straw or vine wreath base, or make your own using grapevines, Virginia creeper, bittersweet (with or without the red berries), or branches from weeping willow. Attach medium-size sunflower heads all around the wreath, securing the flowers to the base with floral wire, if needed. Stick assorted flowers (coneflowers, zinnias, black-eyed Susans, or any others with a good supply of seeds) in between the sunflowers. Baby corn is another great addition. Finally, stick herbs and grasses all around, and you are ready to hang the wreath where the birds will find it and you’ll enjoy watching them eat.
Snowy Forecast
Weather lore warns that every fog in October will bring a snow come winter. Our winter forecast predicts that most of the country will have below-normal temperatures and that heavy snowfalls will extend from the Ozarks northeastward into southern New England.
