Aug. 4-10, 2008
The sun rises and the sun goes down,
And hurries to the place where it rises.
The wind blows to the south
And goes around to the north;
Round and round goes the wind,
And on its circuits the wind returns.
-Qohelth
The astronomical outlook The new Katydid Moon waxes throughout the period, entering its second quarter at 3:20 p.m. on Aug 8. Rising near midday and setting in the evening, this moon is overhead in the afternoon.
The weather Weather statistics continue to be relatively stable for this second week of the month: 50 percent of the afternoons are in the 80s, 25 percent are in the 90s and another 25 percent are in the 70s. Rainfall is typically light, with Aug. 9 and 12-14 carrying just a 15-20 percent chance for a shower.
At the arrival of the Aug. 10 cold front, however, Aug. 10-11 has a 40 percent chance for precipitation as well as the slight possibility of a high only in the 60s for the first time since July 13. And, within the next seven days, lows reach into the 40s 15 times more often than they do during the first week of August.
Almanac daybook Aug. 4: Most of the corn will be silked by now, and most of the soybeans will be flowering or setting pods. Oats and the second cut of alfalfa are ordinarily three-fourths harvested across the nation’s midsection.
After today’s weather system moves across the land, the likelihood for highs in the 90s begins a steady decline across the northern tier of states, and the possibility for a high only in the 60s increases.
Aug. 5: Robin calls increase, short clucking signals for migration. Starlings and warblers become more restless. Hummingbirds, wood ducks, plovers, Baltimore orioles and purple martins start to disappear south; their departure marks a quickening in the advent of early fall.
Aug. 6: Green acorns fall to the sweet rocket growing back among the budding asters. Black walnut foliage is thinning. Violet Joe Pye weed becomes gray like the thistledown. Fruit of the bittersweet ripens. Spicebush berries redden. Rose pinks and great blue lobelias color the waysides.
Aug. 7: Since the moon may exert less influence on ocean tides and on human and animal behavior when it comes into its second and fourth quarters, it might make more sense to transport your animals or perform routine maintenance on your livestock on or about Aug. 8 and 23. Those dates are also recommended for family discussions and major decisions.
Aug. 8: Get ready to seed or re-seed spring pastures in September or October. Prepare cold frames in the North, and then seed late autumn greens and radishes under the waxing moon for October, November and December salads.
Aug. 9: Everbearing strawberries and watermelons are ripe, and tobacco is topped on most plots along the Ohio River. Midwestern peaches are at their best. Farmers are bringing in corn for silage, digging potatoes, picking tomatoes and finishing the second or third cut of alfalfa hay.
Aug. 10: Don’t let the weather stress your pregnant ewes and does - especially during the critical period following impregnation! The approaching cool front begins the transition from summer stability to autumn unpredictability. Sudden cold snaps and strong fall winds can now chill and stress your animals in no time at all.
Mind and body clock The day is now an hour shorter than it was at summer solstice, and your body will be sending you autumnal messages even as the Dog Day heat continues. Although you may work indoors and ride in an air-conditioned automobile, your nervous system is beginning to adapt to the changing season.
Spend a few minutes every day or every few days listening to how those adaptations are influencing your thoughts and actions. The more you just give yourself time to feel those changes, the less likely they will be to catch you off guard or contribute to depression, irritability or illness.
Fishing calendar The moon lies overhead in the late afternoon this week, making that time of day the most favorable for fishing (and for feeding family members). The most productive time of the week is expected to occur as the Aug. 10 high-pressure system approaches.
Almanac literature
On the Roof
By Sam J. Eicher
Berne, Ind.
This couple went on a trip and had the neighbor’s children feed their cat and keep an eye on Grandmother while they were gone.
So after they were gone for a week, they called home, and they asked, “How is the cat?”
The kids said that the cat died, and the couple about had a fit when they heard the news. The couple told the children that they should’ve said that on the first day the cat was on the roof, and then the next day, she fell off, and the third day, she’d died. Then, it wouldn’t have been so much of a shock.
And then they asked, “So, how is Grandmother?”
And the kids said, “She’s on the roof.”
Poor Will needs sheep, goat, horse, dog, cat, hog, chicken, duck and goose stories. Send your tale to Poor Will, P.O. Box 431, Yellow Springs, OH 45387. Three dollars will go to the author of any story printed in this column.
Last week’s Scrambler In order to estimate your Scrambler IQ, award yourself 15 points for each word unscrambled, adding a 50-point bonus for getting all of them correct.
If you find a typo, add another 15 points to your IQ.
SUEOTNOUB – BOUNTEOUS
EOUSENTLP – PLENTEOUS
OUREOUSCT – COURTEOUS
TUSEODU – DUTEOUS
ROUCGASUOE – COURAGEOUS
DIHOESU – HIDEOUS
EIOUSDT – TEDIOUS
SOUUCIPSREP – PERSPICUOUS
DOUSRAZHA – HAZARDOUS
ZSUEAOL – ZEALOUS
This week’s Scrambler TENAGAVI
ATESITEH
TSEETA
LBOIGETA
BENIETAIR
ETANIMRETEDNI
CRASPRONITEAT
EEAETRCSD
IOIAENTXCT
TNGSDEAIE |
