Country Reading Material

Dear Diary,

Growing up we always had the Farmer's Almanac around. Long before there was long range weather forecasting, there was the almanac. They have been published in New England for 300 years and, along with the daily weather it also contained interesting stories, recipes and planting tips. Back in the day, the almanac usually ended up in the bathroom so that is where I keep mine.

This is the time of year we also look to the Wooly Bear caterpillar for his predictions of the coming winter as well. The larger the middle brown strip, the milder the winter. I saw one the other day that seemed to have no brown stripe at all! I can see my Grandfather shaking his head and saying, "We're going to have a really bad winter, I'm afraid." Country folk had lots of ways to predict weather and they are part of my wonderful memories of growing up in New England.

For me, winter will be what it will be and all we can do is dust off the shovels and wait. This morning it feels more like summer. Still time to divide perennials...

Memory is a wonderful gift,
For with it the best is never past.
We carry thoughts of home in our hearts,
To live in always though time has passed.

Farmer's Almanac- 2015