The Old Farmer's Almanac 2009 [2009 ed.] 1571984534, 9781571984531

Citation preview

ISBN-13; 978-1-57198-453-1

Moa yee RM

ta) eerTos

Cree iMt mM OU Ce myeed

PLANTING TABLES, ZODIAC SECRETS W785 71984531

Mm ETC.] TIDES, TABLES, ASTRON FEATURI ALSO ECLIPSES HOLIDAY

WHAT WILL THE NEIGHBORS SAY? When you use an Ariens® mower, be prepared to be the talk of the town. Each

Ariens mower is crafted with quality components that not only withstand years of use, but also perfect the art of lawn mowing. Your neighbors will want to know your secret—and will probably want your Ariens mower, too. For the Ariens experience, visit your local dealer or log on to www.ariens.com.

hy,OY4 my em NN 4 ‘ She : seme FEM "In Wal “ Lhe Wah ad te YEA

@ NUMBER

TWO

.

|

HUNDR

iced: Farner s arr CALCULATED

ON

2009"=

A NEW AND

IMPROVED

PLAN

FOR

THE

YEAR

OF OUR

LORD

BEING IST AFTER LEAP YEAR AND (UNTIL JULY 4) 233RD YEAR OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE

Fitted for Boston and the New England states, with special corrections and calculations to answer for all the United States.

Farmer’s Calendar for every month in the year, a variety of

NEw, USEFUL, €@ ENTERTAINING MATTER. Established in 1792 by Robert B. Thomas

The Sun never sets. It is we who rise & think to shine. —Earle Birney, Canadian writer (1904-95)

Cover T.M. registered in U.S. Patent Office

Copyright © 2008 by Yankee Publishing Incorporated ISSN 0078-4516

Library of Congress Card No. 56-29681

Original wood engraving by Randy Miller

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAG

2009

¢ DUBLIN, NH 03444 ¢ 603-563-8111

* ALMANAC.COM

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC Ye

vo

ear

TiOCTHALY

1 NORWOOD.

MA

02062

The Old Farmer’s Almanac

About This Almanac A

Mee

Contact

144 Saints Preserve Us!

;

=

:

234 Tide Corrections Us......... 1, 82, 84

Re InTribute................

wey TO Patrotises> a. ae aa aoe 7 How to Use eee 107

Amusement

«+ 2009

:

| 728 ea 237 Time Corrections 256 Three-Year Calendar

94 The Twilight Zone

162 Directions

|

and Meteor Showers

96 Astronomical

From the Dark

Glossary Sate

.

Side 184 Reader

Essay Contest

100 The Man Who Moved the Universe

233 Maddening Mind-Manglers 251 Anecdotes & Pleasantries

SPECIAL REPORT §

Actrolocy

ASTOl0g)

Small Is Big... . 168

224 The Astrologer’s

a]

Garden

:

Food 32 Best Bites

178 On Election Day, Vote for Cake 180 Reader Recipe Contest

Gardening 38 Cold Comforts

230 Secrets of the Zodiac

50 Butterflies for Free Ba

232 Best Days

f

Y

Calendar Astronomy Nie

6 Felipscs

90 Bright Stars 92 Visible Planets

2

112 Calendar Bees 140 Glossary of

Almanse Odditics

142 Holidays and Observances

eS (continued on page Arne

There’s more of everything at Almanac.com.

2009

ADVERTISEMENT

Live your life, Love your bath tub. | Put the smile back into

bathing with a Premier Walk-In Tub. If you struggle taking your bath, talk to us at Premier about our extensive range of walk-in tubs. ¢ Enjoy a relaxing bath again, without the fear of slipping or falling. * The walk-in door feature allows easy access and exiting at all times when taking abath. * Hydrotherapy jets option to ‘ggg

soothe aches and pains.

'

Please send me a FREE

esA i | IN Ol)

TOLFREE

Eee SOURCE

CODE

53098

pP,;

se

Premier brochure today! 9 8-8-8-@ Goren Bathing

Tee Address

Zip Send to: Premier Bathrooms Inc, 2330 South Nova Rd South Daytona, Florida 32119 wee

ee

ee

ee

ee

ee

ee

ee

ee

ee

eee

ee

eee

(continued from page 2)

Winter/Summer Color Maps ................ General Weather Forecast and Report How We Predict the Weather...............

Forecast Regions Map Forecasts. 42)

Ga

dening

(continued) ed

66 Symbolic Meanings

3

ee

Tastes & Trends . . 10

Nature

58 Creatures That

of Herbs, Flowers, and Trees

Glow in the Dark

196 Tomato Love 201 Save the Tomatoes iy sba a] Husbandry

188 Stock Answers for Small Farms

202 Outdoor ™ Outdoors 148 Best Fishing Days 150 About Trout

Planting Table 229 Frosts and Growing Seasons

Health & Home

194 Gestation and

Mating Table

152 Foot Notes

231 Setting Eggs

ee

158 How to Live to Be

100 or More 204 Wood Wisdom

+

There’s more of everything at Almanac.com.

2009

ADVERTISEMENT

“Get Rid of Your Gutters! RAINHANDLER Self-Cleans. Unique louver design allows leaves and debris to blow or SR PAN

Protects Property. The Rainhandler self-cleaning system eliminates clogged, overflowing gutters and downspouts.

No ground erosion. No more destructive ice dams from frozen aus

Beautifies.

Protects You. The Rainhandler self-cleaning system protects you from the need to climb ladders and roofsy,'

Ore

, The Rainhandler system is practically invisible. No gutters, down-spouts, leaders or splash

4

ee

Prevents

blocks to detract from the nat.

BT

Erosion.

Rainoff is converted toa 2 to 3 foot wide band of soft rain-sized droplets sprinkling the landscaping.

Installs Easily. Each 5-foot section comes with

3'brackets & 6 screws. Do your

re

entire home in 3 or 4 hours.

ie

Ae maintenance-free ROMP NO oe i louvers make messy, deteriorating

ural beauty of your home.

Pa a? Hf

|

Maintains Itself. OVOP EMME

abbas joa

‘

Teas !

i

"

WauOMP TCR PKIOTBNY Papen cet COOL Reta Ee lar leia

WP

’

Phone or Write for FREE Information oe

, 4

UOT downspouts history.,

:

AINHANDLE |

Dept.OFA09 2710 North Avenue/Bridgeport, CT 06604 ?

1-800-942-3004/Fax

1-800-606-2028

Name

Address Citys stom Aes shee State Zip E-mail www.rainhandler.com

~ In Inribute We humbly dedicate this issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac to John B.Pierce Jr. 1948-2008

Pe 4, 1948, was an auspicious day for John B. Pierce Jr. He was born on that most American of holidays amid fireworks, flags waving, and

festivities in Boston. Mean-

while, in Dublin, New Hamp-

folklore known as “the sayings of the oracle.” These and other quirky facts and adages he liberally sprinkled into conversations ever thereafter. John’s skill and talent were

¥

§

§

shire, this Almanac quietly cel-

ebrated its 155th anniversary. No one, much less John, could have predicted how

his future and that of this publication would merge and flourish. Like this Almanac’s founder and first publisher, Robert B. Thomas, John grew up on a farm in New England. There, caring for cows and tending vegetable beds, he developed an abiding respect for na-

rewarded four years later when,

at age 29, he became managing editor of both Yankee Magazine and the Almanac. Under his direction for 14 years, Yankee received numerous national awards and the Almanac continued to thrive.

On the Almanac’s 200th anniversary, John became its 22nd publisher and frequent spokesman. His keen intellect, en-

ture, earth, and agriculture. (Years later, af-

thusiasm for its content, fertile imagination, and commitment to Mr. Thomas’s desire to be always “new, useful, and en-

ter houses took over the fields, he wrote:

tertaining” inspired an array of successful

“Tt is the soil itself I miss the most. Soft,

companion publications, Web sites, and li-

sandy loam that on hot summer days would puff between your toes like silk.’’)

censing opportunities—all of which earned him appointment as senior vice president and the company’s first group publisher. Just as each edition of The Old Farmer's Almanac since 1792 has had its calcula-

At night, he too would study the Moon

and stars and dream of bountiful harvests. When college beckoned, John pursued his passions—plants and prose—at Dartmouth. In 1973, soon after graduating, he became an editorial assistant at Yankee Publishing, owner of this Almanac, and set forth on the path that would chart his life’s course. His first assignment was to compile a collection of Yankee wit, wisdom, and

tions “fitted” to a certain location, John

himself was fitted to this publication and it to him. For more than half of his life, he was a dedicated guardian and guide— indeed, an oracle—of this Almanac. Light the fireworks, wave the flags: John, we

salute you!

OO

Editor’s note: John Pierce embraced Almanac readers as family. It is in that spirit that we share this tribute.

[ee In Appreciation of Predictability

ay

might think that this reflection is about weather forecasting, dear pa-

trons, but wait... One hundred seventy-five years ago, the founder of this Almanac, Robert B. Thomas, wrote the following in this column of the 1834 edition: “It is with deep and lively gratitude that we embrace the present opportunity to express our sincere acknowledgment for the long and continued preference given our little work over those similar publications which swarm from presses annually.” This year, we echo those words and

sentiment: Thank you for choosing to purchase, read, and use this Almanac, es-

pecially when other essential expenses press on your pocketbook, countless distractions compete for your time, technology offers an ever-widening array of information

sources, and, yes, similar

publications continue to swarm. We appreciate your loyalty to our endeavor, for you inspire a question often posed to us: How does the Almanac, with

its newsprint pages, its esoteric data, its quaint design—even its nominal appeal to a seemingly niche readership—fit into 21st-century life? One answer surely would be, “The same way that it fit into 18th-, 19th-, and

20th-century life’ —by filling a need simply, reliably, and consistently. (If you have another answer, please share it in a note to P.O. Box 520, Dublin, NH 03444, or at Almanac.com/feedback.)

Mr. Thomas had the good sense to endow this publication with a structure and

style that is enduring and eminently reproducible. We (that is, all succeeding editors) have had enough sense to know that we should not change a thing. But heaven knows, we all have weak moments. To those, you and generations of readers have responded in no uncertain terms over the years. For example, in 1939, Editor Roger Scaife garnered your accolades for enlisting contributors such as Robert Frost but fell from grace when sales plummeted because he swapped the usual weather forecasts for averages from the U.S. Weather Bureau. In 1998, a survey proposing elimination of the hole in the corner brought a resounding “Don’t you dare!” So be it. In 2005, when this editor transposed placement of the weather predictions with the Calendar pages, your passionate and perplexed reactions smarted like a ruler rapping on knuckles. Lesson learned. Thank you for caring so much. This is why this Almanac mirrors substantially the first edition released in 1792, and why it “fits” into this day and age. Almanac readers have an aversion to change on these pages. Each issue is at once both fresh and familiar. The Calendar pages, a precise reckoning of the astronomical year and thereby the very definition of this Almanac, are

the portion that has been the least altered in form or substance. However, the data contained there is of the moment. The features, folklore, facts, and even forecasts adhere to Mr. Thomas’s mandate “to be useful with a pleasant degree of hu7

array of special-interest media @ rently available on Almanac.com (oth-

mor.” (Funny forecasts? Those would be the rhyming verses on the right-hand Calendar pages.) That the mere mention of this Almanac inspires a smile proves that this mission has been accomplished. We expect and aspire to earn anew your patronage every year. Thank you for your enthusiasm for our efforts yesterday, today, and tomorrow. There is another aspect of “fit” that merits mention: The print edition of this Almanac, while handy and everlasting, contains a finite number of pages. What’s more, the daily astronomical events are “set” to specific locations. For most of you, accurate and timely viewing of these events has heretofore required relatively complicated calculations with the Time Corrections tables. Now, exact times for these celestial events are available at MyLocal Almanac.com simply by keying in your zip or postal code. This feature joins an

ers include RSS feeds of daily data,

podcasts, blogs, this publication in graphic form, and local daily weather). All of this as well as projects still in development are intended to build a community of Almanac enthusiasts and make this publication and Almanac.com your Almanac. We provide these and all of our services with deep and lively gratitude. J.S., June 2008 However, it is by our works and not our words that we would be judged. These, we hope, will sustain us in the humble though proud station we have so long held in the name of Your obedient servant,

rrns Ga

Special Offer for Eiswond Users! TRY mY}

THE 2 1o

UR

FOR

ELECTRIC/HYDRAULIC PB

7

EE

WOODSPLIIIER 6 MONTHS

RISK-FREE!

Give one a try for 6 months. If you don’t agree this } powerful machine is the easiest, most convenient way ) ever to split firewood — indoors or out — you can return it for a complete refund! Use it in your garage or basement.

motor and hydraulic ram produce up to 6 tons of force. Plugs into any household outlet. Push-button operation. Fits on a workbench. Inc CHP, 2008 ©

Geta_ DVD and Catalog with complete details including model specifications, low, factory-direct prices, and our 6-Month Risk-Free Trial guarantee!

ree 900-731-0493

www.DRwoodsplitter.com

@

ADVERTISEMENT

Introducing the world’s simplest, cell phone experience — with service as low as $10 a month*

It doesn’t play games, take pictures, or give you the weather The Jitterbug® developed with Samsung’.

N ae Contract

rules. Its the cell phone that’s changing all the

The new Jitterbug’ cell phone makes calling simple! ¢ Large, bright, easy to see display and buttons * Comes pre-programmed and ready to use right out of the box ¢ No contract required ¢ An operator is always available to help you, and will call you by name ¢ Push “Yes” to call directly from your personal phone list * Soft ear cushion and louder volume for better sound quality ¢ Separate Volume Up/Down button on cover of phone ¢ Hearing aid compatible e Familiar dial tone confirms service (no other cell

phone has this) e Service as low as $10 a month* e Access help wherever you go Questions about Jitterbug? Try our pre-recorded

Jitterbug Toll-Free Hotline 1-800-230-9045 Service as low as $10 a month andafriendly 30-day return policy**. If you've ever wanted the security and convenience of a cell phone, but never wanted the fancy features and minutes you don’t need... Jitterbug® is for you. Like me, you'll soon be telling your friends about Jitterbug®. Call now!

oy

6

jitter

Jitterbug® Cell Phone

ug

ltem# 80-4722

Call now for our lowest price.

brought tenou by irs {STREET

ee

“—

866 "540.02! 97.

www.jitterbugdirect.com

IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Subject to Customer Agreement, select calling plans, and credit approval. Other charges and restrictions may apply. Screen images simulated. Coverage and service not available everywhere, Copyright © GreatCall, Inc. Jitterbug and GreatCall are trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics America, Inc and its related entities. “Not including ©All reserved. rights Inc. TechnoBrands® 2007 government taxes, assessment surcharges, and set-up fee. **Applies to phone and monthly service charges only, provided call time usage is less than 30 minutes and phone is in like-new condition. Usage charges may apply. All plans require the purchase of a Jitterbug phone. In addition, there is a one time set up fee of $35. Jitterbug will work almost everywhere in the U.S. where cellular service is available from most of the major carriers.

4729|

Tastes ¢7° Tren AROUND THE HOl

ISSUES and IDEAS

Stonewalled Suburbs

@ Stones used in Colonial-era walls are all the rage with new home

owners, with some

HOME IS SWEETER THAN EVER

willing to pay up to $400 per rock. The idea angers some New England preservationists. “This is a form of strip mining,” says Robert Thorson, a geology professor at the University of Connecticut and co-

Recycled trash is being turned into furniture: waxed newspaper pulp chairs, bicycle rim stools, plastic bottle lamps, and mosaic countertops with glass from old traffic lights.

founder, with his wife Kristine, of

the Stone Wall Initiative.

Couches and sofas will meas4 ure body temperature, adjust to fit body size, and give maximum comfort.

Household

appliances

out: Operating them with our thoughts via computerized headbands.

10

=

@ Some towns are asking residents to wash their cars on grass to reduce - runoff, use waterless cleaners, or go

to car washes. “We recycle and reuse a great deal of our water, and we send all of our wastewater to sanitary processing plants,” says Mark Thorsby, executive director of the International Carwash Association.

will

soon respond to voice-activated controls. Further

Water Ways 0

Spying Drying @ As clotheslines become popular again, some neighbors are claiming that the sight of laundry is bringing down property values. In the wind: a “right to dry” movement.

3009

A chronicle of the fads, fashions, and farsighted ideas that define our life and times. compiled by Stacey Kusterbeck

PAEMING €@BOUT...

@°rs *

‘ts

s

‘ Ma3

Wi garbage cans that track the weight a family recycles, with onPEOPLE ARE oflinewaste coupons for rewards given to

above-average households

GROWING CRAZES AND CONCERNS

@ computer systems that reveal how

Backyard gardeners are 4 preserving heirloom y@

much power is used per household

device or appliance in a house at any given time

®@ toilets with foot pedals that open the lid

vegetables, with some

®@ traditional furniture upholstered in avant-garde fabrics and colors: faux furs, tapestries, and jewel tones

2

Farmers are teaming up with medical researchers on “biofortification” to develop vegetables and fruits with increased health benefits. First

@ partition walls and pocket doors

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

i ;

Most valuable:

1. replacement

windows 2. siding 3. a wooden deck

up: a carrot that helps to prevent osteoporosis.

Artists who carve monstrous

ey Atlantic Giant pumpkins are stars at ZOOS, casinos, and restaurants. The

2. a sunroom

next big thing: etching portraits of brides and grooms in pump-

3. anew garage

kins.

Least valuable: 1. a remodeled home office

|

green thumbs reviewing and § posting comments on varieties Y online for other growers. /

CONTINUED»

~Eric Kakkuppila

—_ _

re eee NE

Or TOSS TS he

Tastes

Se My eg

ereea

a ee

& Trends

BY THE NUMBERS 44 Percent more calcium a consumer absorbs from a genetically modified carrot than from a regular carrot, thanks to biofortification

20

HPSYNCRURS Most popular heirloom

° The tomato

Largest homegrown tomato « 6 pounds Biggest giant pumpkin

« 1,689 pounds

Percent of household

water, on average, used for outdoor irrigation by home owners

j INCH

Amount of rain

falling on a 100-square-foot roof in 1 hour that results in 60 gallons for irrigation

TALKING €@€BOUT... iad

~ we isd onl

&.

© ~

J

eo BX

a

@ grass seeds that germinate with about half the water needed by traditional varieties

© disease-resistant trees (e.g., Accolade and Triumph elms) to counter the spread of invasive insects and diseases

© traditional energy-saving landscapes: shade trees on the south and west to block hot sun and evergreens in the north to block wintry winds

© decorative rain barrels (not cistems) ® tomato-growing contests with awards for appearance, flavor, and weight

12

IT’S ALL ABOUT US People are visiting ancestral ae Kometowns to research their roots. Hired “photo detectives” are dating and identifying relatives in old family photos, using clues in clothing, props, and even shadows (which can reveal the time of day).

Entrepreneurs are selling unidentified and abandoned photo portraits as “instant ancestors.” Happiness is linked to our com-

Pais: says dian survey. are happiest

level around neighbors, a CanaCitizens in Saint

John, Quebec

City,

and Charlottetown, , where trust is high; = ae residents of Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary are less happy. “Happy cities are not necessarily the wealthy ones,” says Chris Barrington-Leigh, an economist at

GelPro Gel Filled Anti-Fatigue Floor Mats

Sots tT) ete a

The Floor Mat Redefined! Finally, a floor mat designed to address the needs of everyone with hard flooring and discriminating taste! “... great for people with back pain, foot pain or arthritis.” PSR Ae

aie

“A kitchen rug or foam mat can't offer the kind of relief these thick kitchen iH TRC One a The New York Times

“The difterence between standing on one of these*mats andsstandig on a bare floor is stunning.” Pioneer Press

Besides the revolutionary gel core, the bottom side of a GelPro Mat is non-slip and has an antimicrobial additive to help eliminate mold & Surface patterns

include: Rattlesnake Ostrich

Crocodile Striated

Basketweave

Pandcua

Gel Pro Mats are made with pride in the USA =

mildew. The top surface is stain-

resistant and easy to clean. GelPro Mats are available in a multitude of colors, textures and sizes. Order

yours today and Stand in Comfort! 1-866-GEL MATS (435-6287) www.gelpro.com

Je Pe

Tastes

eee

Oe

& Trends

ag

@

the University of British Columbia. “So- | BBW FHE

NUMBERS

cial connections and engagement are very important.” Young people are

Nomber of Sue diapers dumped into landfills annually

so used to multitasking while instant messaging, texting, and paging that they never expect to have anyone’s full attention.

75 Percent of southern California families whose garages are too full of stuff to accommodate a car 3 4}

Percent of Americans who

believe in ghosts

10 Percent of Internet users who are clinically addicted to it

IF IT FLATTERS, IT MATTERS

iad

od ™ o.

fe

|

“The need [for men] to

See

ket latformsthathang fromthegarage Rs

: ceilingto store more stuff

or

a hearingaSouthem drawlintheU.S.

to be a

South | move to other regionsof "the country, and “bidialecticals”

huge challenge,” says Kirk ShannonButts, men’s fashion market editor at Glamour. Look for more

_who use different accents, dependIngonwhere they are

“man-bags” with silver or brass hardware and snake or alligator fabrics.

a2 “green” cemeteries, with blode-

§ “The interest in electronic gad-

‘North.andWest as people leave the

gradable bamboo casketslinedwith 2 unbleached cotton or coffins made : of recycled newspapers

14

:

continues

gets will shift to techno- —— + apparel and accessories,” says David Wolfe, creative director at the Doneger Group.

CONTINUED»

ping People Build Beautiful ADVERTISEMENT

Country Places Since 1974!

Models on Display

eon esas HORNE

A

Pay

etre Houses, serra Sheds aity aC

o uate Sia aa Su Sa aaa

ra

ie

,

2oak

° eae282076 4

, yf

eetoh

iJ

Tastes

& Trends

FASHION

FOR NOW

Five forecasts: Clothing will mask body odor after being exposed to sunlight. @ Fabric made from crab shells will kill germs. @ Clothes will generate negative ions to create a sense of well-being. © Cotton coated with nanoparticles will break down harmful components of air pollution. @ Fabrics will block dirt and thus reduce washings. rw :

/}

4

xKadies

¥ 7

Al

Xcess

MENSWEAR “Men will continue to rein in the oversize clothing, from suits to pants to shirts to sweaters—everything except neckties,” says Shannon-Butts. Here’s the skinny: ® tailored suits, shirts, and pants @ wider neckties and oversize bow ties

© plaids in jackets, caps, sweaters,

“In this tricky, uncertain economy,

socks, and the linings of sport and

women want some-

trench coats

-—

thing that feels

>

jee

grand and gives a feeling of warmth,” says Sally Singer, a

_ Vogue editor. Look

—

for these styles and

signatures:

Top Togs for KIDS

Conservative * hem lines at the knee, tailored jackets and suits, dressy pants

Luxurious ° velvet jackets, sweater _ dresses, and brocade coat/jacket sets in soft, pretty fabrics

sun-safe clothing ° “The days of swimming outside without a protective shirt will be a thing of the past.”

Classic

aduilt-looking duds ° “Kids are seen as extensions of their parents’ styles. Rather than children’s clothing being timeless, it

white-buttoned dress shirts with pin tucks, blazers

with embroidery, cashmere sweaters, and

striped rugby shirts with floral plackets

Comfy

°* classic

y= S

clothes, traditional accessories (a

o 2S 1

sweater with a leather belt)

=x

16

—Jessica Hartshorn, editor, American Baby

will be more current.” = —Jessica Hartshorn

clothes on loam ° “Clothes libraries,” where parents pay a monthly fee to use and exchange items as kids grow, will pro-

liferate. —Amy Twigger Holroyd, founder of Keep & Share

CONTINUED»

{

ADVERTISEMENT

Money-Back

Diabetic

a TV

Guaranteed

Friendly

ire eee

hy

of nail discoloration — keratin debris buildup. NonyX Nail Gel contains natural ethanoic acid to breakdown and remove yellowing keratin debris under toenails. With regular use, your nails are clear and healthy-looking — or your money back.

yeSupply

NonyX Nail Gel

Exfallant ofKeretinDebris:

Clears Dut Diecaloring Keratin Gebris

4

Before Using

NonyX. .

“After using.

NonyX

Fb ican Healthylookingnails use

“MONA NAIL GEL_ Exfoliant of Discoloring Keratin Debris Now in the FOOT CARE-aisle at i

ymass retailers, Supercenters and

SHOPKO

D duane reade

With us, it's personal. Mainland Stores Only Certified

3

) Xenna Corporation

AWoman-owned Company

Ree eseEar) Xenna Corporation 2008

Tel 800-368-6003

“ENA? www.xenna.com

Po} Ke NOT TESTED

ONANIMALS

ee

—

Made in USA

Tastes

&

Trends

{he HotHUGS. Expect to see these fashionable colors in

when the dog is alone, sees a ball, fights, plays, encounters a stranger, or goes for a walk.

clothes, cars, and

ne ABOUT ell

home goods: off-whites, sand, and brownish greens

© navy blue that’s almost black ™ coppery and bronze metallics — rosy pinks, golden yellows, and turquoise

TALKING ABOUT vee

;

20

® mouthwashes and electric toothbrushes for dogs; pedicures, PEOPLE @RE nail polish, for birds

with

® ramps, wheelchair-like devices,

and vision aids for aging pets ™ closet shelves and paages that

® agencies that rent out pooches

(dues cover vet bills, boarding

PEOPLE €@RE

talk, advising on matching shirts and ties or warning about too frequent wearing

© accessories from used auto parts:

costs, and toys)

BY THE NUMBERS

bags with old car and tractor inner tubes; key chain fobs made from vintage license plates © “repurposed” fashions: designer

duds created from thrift store donations

U.S. dogs that sleep in their own bed

8 8 Percent of U.S. dog owners who consider their pet a member of the family

25 Percent increase in pet health insurance policies issued in 2007

SPEAK! A scientist has developed software that interprets the bark of the Hungarian Mudi herding breed in six situations: 18

$17 Average spent on a pet’s Valentine gift is

Percent of people with six

or more pets

=>

Pa |

a,

ey 2)

Vs

|

i}

Pp |

Original Herbal

eS

So

tT

Tee)

|

pS

.

|

Formula

Trusted Worldwide Since 1922

aN HERBAL $iM. Caisse

PPLEMENT EXTRACT FORMULA WorldRe

ERAN SURES elena” Powder Formula

Extract Formula

Vegicap Formula

Immune System Support* * THIS STATEMENT HAS NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. SES EES SeeCem eT See ee aR aia SPe haha ton

¢ Premium Quality Herbs ¢ c G.M.P. compliance

¢ Made only in Canada * Distributed worldwide

lslSulietiye(ontart Essiac® Canada International P.O. Box 23155, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K2A 4E2 Tel.: (613) 729-9111 ¢ Fax: (613) 729-9555 e-mail: [email protected] COPYRIGHT © 2007 - AUTHORIZED USER OF ESSIAC" TRADEMARK

® ©2006 Meda Services S-7300 OF 19976R-1

Advertisement

AS HEARD ON PAUL HARVEY NEWS

New advanced portable heater can cut your heating bill up to 50% Heats a large room in minutes with even heat wall towall and floor to ceiling Does not get hot, cannot start a fire and will not reduce humidity or oxygen Never

By John Whitehead, Media Services A new advanced quartz infrared portable heater, the EdenPURE®. can cut your heating bills by up to 50%. You have proba bly heard about the remarkable EdenPURE® as heard on Paul Harvey News and on television features across the nation.

The EdenPURE® can pay for itself in a matter of weeks and then start putting a sreat deal of extra money in your pocket after that. And that's just the start of the benefits for the new EdenPURE® Quartz In-

frared Portable Heater. A major cause of residential fires in the United States is portable heaters. But the EdenPURE® cannot cause a fire. That is because the quartz infrared heating element never gets to a temperature that can ignite anything. The outside of the EdenPURE® only gets warm to the touch so that it will not burn children or pets. Pets can sleep on it when it is operating without harm. The EdenPURE® will also make you healthier. That is because. unlike other heating sources, it will not reduce humidity or oxygen in the room. Typical heating sources reduce humidity which dries out your sinuses. makes you more susceptible to disease and makes your skin dry. With other heat-

ing sources, you'll notice that you get sleepy when the heat comes on because they are burning up oxygen. The advanced space-age EdenPURE® Quartz Infrared Portable Heater also heats the room evenly, wall-to-wall and

floor-to-ceiling. Other heating sources heat rooms unevenly with most of the heat concentrated hich m the room and to the center of the room. And, as you know, portable heaters only heat an area a “few feet around the heater. With the EdenPURE®. the temperature will not

Vary in any part ofthe room. Unlike other heating sources, the EdenPURE® cannot put poisonous carbor monoxide into aroom or anytype of fumes orany type of hamnful radiation. For more details on the amazing EdenPURE® Quartz Infrared Portable Heater. here is my interview with Julius Toth. Director of Product Development for BioTech Research®. Q. What is the origin of this amazing heating element in the

EdenPURE®? A. This advanced heating element

20

was discovered accidentally by a man named John Jones. He had a large old farmhouse that was impossible to heat. Jones had a coal furnace in his basement. Jones placed a sheet of cured copper near the furnace to store it. Cured copper is a type of copper that goes through an extensive heating process to give it special properties. After the fire went out in the coal furnace, Jones noticed that the sheet of copper was heating his entire basement evenly, even though the furnace was no longer putting out heat. He also was amazed as to how long the heat stayed in the copper and continued to warm the room. Jones was so taken back by this that he started to experiment. He formed a company to develop a heating source out of this cured copper. But Jones had a number of children and he did not want a heating source that would cause a fire or create other hazardous situations like creating carbon monoxide or radiation. He also did not want his children to get bumed. To make a long story short, through a

great deal of research and development, Jones developed a heating source that utilized commercial infrared quartz tubes. Q. What advantages does infrared quartz tube heating source have over other heating source products? A. John Jones designed his heating source around the three most important consumer benefits: economy, comfort,

and safety. The final development of this infrared quartz heat source cannot be matched by any other heating system in the world. In the EdenPURE® system, electricity is used to generate infrared light which, in tum, creates a very safe heat. Infrared is the safest form of heat be-

cause it does not create carbon monoxide orharmful radiation. And. most importantly, infrared heat does not reach a burning temperature. After a great deal of research and development, very efficient infrared heat chambers were developed that utilize three unique patented solid copper heat exchangers in one EdenPURE® heater. Over 5 years of research, development and real life field testing stand behind this heat source. It has now worked in residential and commercial applications worldwide for over 25 years.

be cold

again

Cannot start a fire; a child or animal can touch or sit on it without harm Q. Why is it that this quartz infrared heating source uses less energy to create heat than other sources? A. Actually, there is more than one reason. One of the primary reasons is that heat at combustion level, which is what all other heat sources use. causes the heat to instantly rise to the ceiling. Therefore, the heat is not evenly distributed, causing a very inefficient and uncomfortable heat source. The EdenPURE® Quartz Infrared

Portable Heater does not use burning heat. Once the leat exchanger absorbs the infrared heat, it exhales the heat into the living area which Is carried by the existing humidity in the air. This causes the heat to travel rapidly and evenly throughout a room. In actual studies, photos using infrared lighting demonstrated that the heat was almost perfectly even from floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall. The EdenPURE® Quartz Infrared efficiency is based on the distribution of energized air, not on just fan movement. This heat is coined as “soft heat” due to how comfortable it is. Q. What are the other disadvantages of combustion heat sources? A. Heat sources that are above the burning level have many unhealthy side effects. One of these is that it creates dry, irritating indoor air. It also burns a great deal of oxygen in the air. If you remember, when you sit in front ofa fireplace or a portable heater or close to a heat source, you will remember yawning. This is because you are not getting enough oxygen. This dry irritating heat and lack of oxygen dries out sinuses and mucus in the throat, and makes people suscepti-

There’s more of everything at Almanac.com.

2009

@. disease. The lack of oxygen causes fatigue. Also, many combustible heat sources produce carbon monoxide, static cling, and some produce radiation. Q. So you're saying that children or pets can come up to this unit and touch it and not be harmed? A. That is absolutely correct. As a matter of fact, pets are actually drawn to this heat because it is a natural source of heat, just like the sun heats the earth. Animals are much more instinctive than humans. This heat not only heats the air, but it also heats the objects in the room. It is a perfectly balanced heat. Q. How can a person cut their heating bill by up to 50% with the

EdenPURE®?

A. First, the EdenPURE® uses less

energy to create heat than other sources, but thatis just part of why it will cut a person’s heating bill. The EdenPURE® will heat a room in minutes. Therefore, you can turn the heat down in your house to as low as 50 degrees, but the room you are occupying, which has the EdenPURE®, will be warm and comfortable. The EdenPURE?® is portable. When you move to another room, it will quickly heat that room also. This can drastically cut heating bills, in some instances, by up to 50%. Q. Lalso understand that the EdenPURE® produces clean fresh air without furnace filters. How can

it do that? A. A furnace generates a lot of dust due to the combustion. By lowering the

furnace temperature, you are using your furnace less and therefore reducing the requirement for the furnace filters. Also, when there's no combustion,

there are no harmful fumes. Q. So, the EdenPURE? is totally

safe to use?

A. It absolutely is. Tests prove the unit does not transmit any energy into the atmosphere that will burn or harm anyone regardless of distance between the person and the EdenPURE®. The EdenPURE® will pay for itself in weeks, It will put a great deal of extra money in a users pocket. Because of today’s spiraling gas, oil, propane, and other energy costs, the EdenPURE® will provide even greater savings as the time goes by. The EdenPURE® comes in 2 models. Model 500-XL heats a room up to 300 square feet and Model 1000-XL heats a room up to 1,000 square feet. End of interview. Readers who wish can obtain the EdenPURE® Quartz Infrared Portable Heater at a $75 discount if they order in the next 10 days. Please see the Special Readers Discount Coupon on this page. For those readers ordering after 10 days from the date of this publication, we reserve the right to either accept or reject order requests at the discounted price.

2009

r ! I I l ! I I I 1 I I I 1 I I ! I | 1 ! ! l ! I ! I | ! ! I 1 | I ! I | I | 1 | I | I | ! I | ! ! i I I I l I 1 I L

SPECIAL READER’S DISCOUNT COUPON The price of the EdenPURE® Model 500-XL is $372 plus $17 shipping for a total of $389 delivered. The Model 1000-XL is $472 plus $27 shipping and handling for a total of $499 delivered. People reading this publication get a $75 discount with this coupon and pay only $297 delivered for the Model S00-XL and $397 delivered for the Model 1000-XL if you order within 10 days. The EdenPURE® comes in the decorator color of black with burled wood accent which goes with any decor. There is a strict limit of 3 units at the discount price - no exceptions please. : Check below which model and number you want: Model 500-XL, number Model 1000-XL, number * To order by phone, call TOLL FREE 1-800-588-5608 Ext. EPH7854. Place your order by using your credit card. Operators are on duty Monday - Friday 6am - 3am, Saturday 7am - 12 Midnight and Sunday 7am - | 1pm, EST. * To order online, log on to www.edenpure.com ¢ To order by mail, by check or credit card, fill out and mail in this coupon. This product carries a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. If you are not totally satisfied, your purchase price will be refunded. No questions asked. There is also a one year warranty. NAME ADDRESS

STATE

CITY +

ZIP CODE

Check below to get discount: () Iam ordering within 10-days of the date of this publication, therefore I get a $75 discount and my price is only $297 for Model 500-XL and $397 for Model 1000-XL delivered. _] Iam ordering past 10 days of the date of this publication, therefore I pay shipping and handling and full price totaling $389 for Model 500-XL and

$499 for Model 1000-XL. Enclosed is $ in: L)Cash CL] Check UL Money Order (Make check payable to BioTech Research) or charge my: VISA O MasterCard 0 Am. Exp./Optima 1) Discover/Novus Account No.

Exp,,Daté of ©

Signature MAIL TO:

BioTech Research Dept. EPH7854 7800 Whipple Ave. N.W. Canton, OH 44767

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

Tastes

&

Trends

Vey

if

Enthusiasm

fae 1Bs aaaah 929

ie iy

Ge PUB &weced

BY THE NUMBERS

$226 uaiiox Expected market value of organically

grown cotton in 2009 (up from $19 million in 2004)

$2,200 sense

price of 1 acre of U.S. farmland 43

Z

Average acreage of a

U.S. farmers will benefit from ee apparel companies’ demand for organic cotton, as production moves closer to home due to rising transportation costs

and demand for lo4 cally made products. » “Consumers want to know who grew their , cotton,” says Lynda ~ Grose, a sustainable fashion design professor at California College of the Arts. One caveat: Farmers will have to talk trends and thread counts with clothing designers and translate pounds of cotton into numbers of chinos or T-shirts. 22

\

Get ready for vertical farms to a crop up in major cities. The 30story-high skyscrapers could provide food and water for 50,000 people a year. Dickson Despommier, an environmental sciences professor at Columbia University, says, “When the first couple [are built] and people get a look at them, everybody will want them.”

oS

@BOUT...

ee @°' eS

i KEEPIN’ IT COUNTRY

%

ing many farmers’ incomes and raising the price of farmland.

aba

U.S. farm

for

ethanol is increas-

sree

>

x

&

3

esMel & “dual purpose” foods: “They get

you fed but they also give you a health benefit, a unique taste, ora cultural experience,” says Stan Ernst, an agriculture professor at Ohio State University.

© “pitchfork fondues,” at which cattle ranchers cook meats with boil-

ing oil in cast-iron cauldrons

® “harvest your own [freshwater] shrimp” events, where agri-tourists earn a meal by helping farmers to drain ponds

CONTINUED»

®

ADVERTISEMENT

Poetry Contest $100,000 in Prizes Awarded Annually! We are now accepting poetry for the Open Amateur Poetry Contest. The contest is Open to everyone and entry is free.

All of those who enter will receive a personal critique of their poem. Most of the prize money will be awarded to new and unpublished poets, many of whom have never entered a poetry competition before. To enter, mail one original poem, 24 lines or less, on any subject and in any Style, to:

Poetry Contest Editor 242-1 305 Madison Ave. Suite 449 New York, NY 10165

i; a DetLP Ranked Ore

eae

ae CO TG

Visit www.Poem14.com itp 2008 ©

2009

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

23

Tastes

&

Trends

TALKING @BOUT

“

7 ay 2 a.

..

“

& searclimniaeraces,00

WHY LIFE IS GOOD (AND GETTING BETTER) seafood are being made with

Why? “There is simply nothing unnatu-

E

1= that track how well, :

how long, and how Ihard wecle "i 3 our teeth ¥

Beer, face creams, and canned

seawater harvested from 2,000 feet below the surface near Hawaii.

V

athons.” = toothbrushes ARES a

fi.ei.

ie ag Z

‘s

8 thehealthiest states (best first): .

: ai

Vermont, Minnesota, Hawaii—

eithe unhealthieststates (worstrat e _ Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas 2 IF.

ral there,” explains Rich Treadway,

Seis

gs ae

tay= 7

£}Pans

spokesperson for Deep Ocean Hawaii. Researchers used the brain acaD tivity of a monkey in North Carolina to control the walking patterns of a robot in Japan,

all to help paralyzed patients walk again. “This is a breakthrough in understanding how the brain controls the Fe movement of our legs,”

“tt

says Miguel Nicolelis, a neuroscience professor at Duke University. Toothpaste made with cocoa Be is more effective in fighting cavities than the fluo-

ride type.

BY THE NUMBERS 24 Percent of boys who say that they diet to stay slim 24

WHERE THE MONEY IS_ On Earth, in rocks, min-

erals, seashells, and fossils, with some mete- & orites selling for over $1 million. | “Prehistoric art . . . serves aS a record of our world in its infancy.” says Barbara Tapp, editor of Art & Antiques. _ 2

In the water, with old og and new fishing rods, reels, flies, and lures.

“Some plastic mass-manufactured items produced in an unusual color or special-ordered have been selling for thousands of

ADVERTISEMENT

PHEROMONE DISCOVERER’S FORMULAS INCREASE ROMANCE IN YOUR LIFE Dr. Winnifred Cutler co-discovered

human pheromones in 1986 (TIME 12/1/86; NEWSWEEK uiEeIED Add to your rae: These odorless additives contain synthesized human pheromones. Vials of 1/6 0z., | added to 2 - 4 oz. of fragrance, should be a 4 to 6 mos. supply, or use straight. Athena Pheromones F ; increase your attractiveness.

unscented

“It saved my marriage. He was starting to look around. Well | decided to order some Athena Pheromone 10:13 after | saw the ads. It is amazing! Everywhere we went, men were attracted to me and my husband could see this. Well as | started to feel attractive, he became more interested in me romantically. | bought a vial and everywhere men are attracted to me, including my husband.” Y) 10X reorder: “| find your product works. Every time |wear it females notice. Women turn aside, they peer over their shoulder. It is really remarkable to observe the reaction of females. If | walk through a book store. If | go to the grocery store. The advances | receive from women are very welcome. Phenomenal what it does, good job Dr. Cutler! Thank you for what you have done for men.” ;. Not guaranteed to work for everyone; will work for most. Not aphrodisiacs.

To order, call: (610) 827-2200 — www.athenainstitute.com — Order online Or mail to: Athena Institute: Dept FAfs, 1211 Braefield Rd., Chester Spgs, PA 19425

I| PLEASE SEND ME

10:13 VIALS @ US$98.50 and/or__————s«10X Vials @ US$99.501I

:and___ empty blue bottle (20z screw cap) @$5.00 _—fora4“totalp price of US$ ;Enclosed is a () USCheck © Money Order payable to “Athena Institute”

|Charge my Q Visa/MC/Disc#

does

Name :Address

email

Phone: (

City/State

-

Exp

) Zip

Signature

[ *PA add 6% tax. Canada add US$7.50 shipping surcharge per vial Other countries call.

FAfs i

ATHENA PHEROMONES: The Gold Standard sce1993"

OR

ed eee

Ta stes &T Tastes 8Trends... dollars,” says Jim Schottenham of Waterville, New York—based Lang’s Auction.

a

nboee

ee

In the family, as relatives and

friends share, barter, repair, and rent together. “Buying less means having more—more time, more fun, better health, increased finan:

cade

™ “freegans,” people who buy almost nothing and consume restaurants’ discarded food or forage for edible

cial savings, and greater freedom,”

plants in public parks

P4 says Mary Peters

~ of The Center for

© fears of a strong “loonie”: “We do

a New American Dream.

not really believe that our currency deserves to be worth more than the U.S. greenback,” says Canadian sociologist Michael Adams. “In our minds, such an exalted status would reflect more the luck of our sitting on bountiful natural resources below the ground than the hard work and ingenuity of the human resources above it.”

BY THE NUMBERS (IN 2007)

$s00 a 000 .,...

paid for an American-made cigar store figure of Punch

$110,200 icc $40 320 ricei

for a giant 1859 Haskell minnow lure

for an 1859 Billinghurst fly reel

$2 {500 Price paid for

Buyers’ Guide |N

e

Swedish designer ceramics that

flourished in the 1950s —Lee Richmond, owner, Best Things Corporation

woodworking planesmade byNorris of eee

_—Lee Richmond

50 rolls of toilet paper from the 1920s

O UT-oe"midrange _ furniture

ased i

and,antiques appraiser

traditional 18th.mtany 19th-century English porcelain [with] fussy designs :

—Lee Richmond

anything from the Franklin Mint —Noel Barrett, president, Antique Toy Collectors of America

CONTINUED»

There have been new recalls or manufacturer notifications issued

in 2008 and over 55 were issued in the past two years alone. There were over 30 Class 1 High Risk recalls for diabetic meters issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A Class 1 Recall means that there isa reasonable chance that the product will cause serious health problems or death. Most major diabetic meter manufacturers have had a recall in the past 2 years.

YOUR CURRENT METER MAY BE INVOLVED IN A RECALL. Accuracy and consistency are extremely important when you test your blood! - Ifyou have Medicare call us now to get a NO COST replacement meter and new testing supplies! Discount Diabetic also provides NO COST 10 YOU- Vacuum Therapy Systems for ED, and Arthritis Heating Pads all covered by Medicare and most insurance companies Sorry we are unabletohelpyou ifyouare inan HMO. Deductible andcopay may apply

Call Discount Diabetic at 1-800-622-1232 Habla Espariol 2009

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

2

Tastes

&

Trends

TALKING A€BOUT ... ws cS

ww

aor Sma

.

wall WE’RE UP FOR DOWNTIME ~~ With half of American workers

_

—__ failing to take all of their vacation

_

| days, companies are requiring

employees to get away to reduce burnout. Hotels are offering “unplugged” stays, with cell phones and PDAs locked up. ~

_

Country

and.

-

+

=

le +

a.

©

Se

~

hed

3

es

ia er,

(7

© competitive jump roping and more _ kids who are knitting

—i classic boys’ literature translated into Morse code, put on CDs, and then sold online cars that drive themselves (and passengers), with radar-based cruise

—

control, motion sensors, and auto

sensors that detect the mood ofthe “driver”

western culture

eS _ is all the rage in Quebec—and why not? Jeans, cowboy hats, and line dancing figure in the ar a rural past.

a~~ ergy sources (wind power, fuel cells) are hip with hobbyists.

BY THE NUMBERS S4

MILLION

Price of

three nights in the Galactic Suite, a space hotel opening in 2012 5 {500 Members in the USA Jump Rope association in 2007 (up 15 percent from 2006) Sab

Percent of workers who

fantasize about their dream job at work 28

Southern comfort. Top chefs are adding “authenticity” to cooking with traditional Southern ingredients: grits from artisanal mills in North Carolina, South ~ Carolina, and ~ Georgia; country ham from smokehouses ~ in Virginia and Kentucky; and pure sorghum ¢ molasses from Tennessee.

CONTINUED»

ADVERTISEMENT

Qod sanse some rer / All over America, churches, schools and organizations just like yours have earned thousands of dollars selling their own cookbooks with the guaranteed Fundcraft cookbook program since 1942. Absolutely the lowest prices in the ee

as low as $1.55 each. + Free step-by-step program information « Many free features and a large number of publishing options + Fast delivery, 67 days to pay, sales guaranteed

www.fundcraft.com For faster service call 800-853-1364,x538

- Aname you can trust — Fundcraft Publishing, Inc., the oldest and largest personalized cookbook publisher in the U.S.

SPSSOCSHSSHSSHSHESEHEHEHSSSHHOHSSHESSTEHESESESETAEHHHEHHETHESSHOHHTESHES ESSE SHSHOHEOESSEESHHHEEOE

Yes! Please send the FREE cookbook fundraising packet

FA-09

Name

Organization

Address

E-mail

City

State

Zip

Fundcraft Publishing + P.O. Box 340 « Collierville, TN 38027

-InstantPublisher. com offers: “Lowest prices— as low as

$97.50* for 25 copies

“Fast turn around — 10 days f "Many options - 4 booksizes, | 6 binding styles

ae

|

«Complete control of your book Religious. *‘Full color book: option

== .

—instructional :

Visit www.InstantPublisher.com Shor‘instant price quotes, publishing Mecliens, layout guides and more!

Fiction

Family History & Genealogy

*25 copies, 60 pages perfect bound. Other options available. 3539h-01

[hdkesiel¥ ebiees A perfect spud. A new potato

Pa developed by Idaho biologists tastes better. “It’s the first time genetic modification has ever enhanced flavor,” says Caius Rommens, project leader. Coming soon: butter- or spicyflavored potatoes.

TAtKESS €@BOUT... fe

©) restaurants with one item served in ways (e.g., hummus, PEOPLE GRE different crepes, macaroni and cheese, and grilled cheese sandwiches)

™® chewable ice (crunchy, but not too hard) from machines

The Asian invasion. Expect exotic Eastern veggies in supermarkets: sweeter, more flavorful eggplants; lemongrass; and “gailon,” a mild, thin-stemmed broccoli.

© acup of exotic coffee for $15 (one is made with beans eaten and ex- _ creted by a civet, then cleaned and roasted)

© shopping cartsthatsoundanalarm — when filled withtoo much junk food

Food is fun. Barry Glassner, au-

4

thor of The Gospel of Food, says: “Many people continue to fall under the sway of killjoys who preach that the worth of a meal lies principally

in what it lacks” —sugar, salt, fat, calories, carbs, preservatives, additives. His ad-

reeds r theiuhere ™ ice cream with “dairy” flavors: créme fraiche, goat’s milk, or sour cream

duck and veal meatballs

vice: Give in to the pleasures of the table and explore new flavors—in moderation.

a flower. flavors in yogurt and

Where the TAP Is TOPS

“candy that acts as perfume

“Many cities across Canada

have exceptional drinking

water. We even have first-rate

water

(eat, then smell like a rose or lemon for 30

minutes) &) “haute” dogs served with caviar, jalapenos, and fresh mango toppings

OO

drinking water in our toilets!” —Karen Kun, director, Waterlution Stacey Kusterbeck, a trendy and frequent contributor to The Old Farmer's Almanac, writes about popular culture from her home in New York State.

30

- $O, WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

For more statistics, data, and colorful details about our life and times, go to Almanac.com/2009.

ADVERTISEMENT

NOW...TURN YOUR DECK OR PATIO INTO A BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR ROOM! ¢ Mounts on your existing deck or patio without costly site prep or

permits! ¢ Converts from sunroom to screenroom in just seconds! ¢ Easy-slide windows with screens adjust to your comfort instantly!

¢ Passive solar design saves energy & helps heat your home in winter. * Complete Kit comes with roof, walls, windows, screens and a door.

j ° Delivered direct-to-you ready to assemble... in justa weekend!*

Wy, 4

sunPorch’

he a 2 model shown. UTal else) Ze] om

Swim or exercise against a smooth current adjustable to any speed or ability. Ideal for swimming, water aerobics, rehabilitation and fun. No traveling, no

crowded pools, no heavy chlorine. The

|

8' x 15' Endless Pool® is simple to maintain, economical to run, and easy to install inside or out. Modular construction means many sizes and options are available. Already own a pool? Ask about the

FASTLANE

2009

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

swim current generator.

ae

ot

ry

Food

Best Bites Recipes from our kitchen WW

at the Almanac love to : French Farmer’s cook.

Between

us, we :

have over 200 cookbooks, stacks : Baked Beef and of food magazines, and hundreds ; Barley

of cooking Web sites book- : 1% pounds stew beef marked on our computers. Good so fablesnoots Yegatable ‘oil sources, all, but distant seconds : ian : h : 1 medium onion, chopped to our favorite recipes, the ones : 5 cups beef stock

from family, friends, and neigh- : tT casita dricdllitime bors that we know are easy to Va teaspoon dried marjoram make, will never fail, and always :

fedspoon/diied josehiary,

taste good. Those treasures— : | Lup pharbader typed on index cards, scribbled : | iablespoowtinely ciemted on envelopes, jotted on napfresh parsley/for’garnish

kins—have been accumulating : in a box or drawer in our: jin the oven to 350°F. Trim all of the fat kitchens. Until recently.

:

from the beef and cut into 42-inch cubes. Heat

Three years ago, we began : the oil in a large skillet and sauté the onion. Add gathering these reliable recipes : the beef cubes and brown them on all sides. Transand hundreds of others from the : fer the onion and beef to a 3-quart ungreased casseAlmanac archive—soups, stews, : role and set aside. Combine the stock, herbs, and barbecue, pies, pickles, you : barley in the skillet and bring to a boil. Pour the name it—to create The Old: stock mixture over the sautéed onion and beef, Farmer’s Almanac Everyday : cover, and bake for 1 hour. Garnish with parsley Cookbook. Picking favorites : and serve in shallow soup bowls with French bread. from this collection will never be : Makes 4 servings. easy but it will always bea joy. : Here are a few we want to share. !

Food

Dilled Seafood Salad Prepare and refrigerate this salad up to 24 hours ahead of time. Add the dressing just before serving.

DRESSING: Ys cup sour cream 3 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons buttermilk 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh parsley Ys teaspoon finely minced onion 1 small clove garlic, crushed and

minced salt and pepper, to taste SALAD: 2 cups (8 ounces) sugar snap peas 12 ounces crabmeat or lobster meat, cut into bite-size pieces

Vy medium cucumber, scrubbed, cut in half lengthwise, seeded, and

thinly sliced

Ya cup thinly sliced celery TAKE STOCK

Y medium red bell pepper, cored and sliced into short, thin strips

acer ass

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

by simmering bones (or shells) and vegetables in water,

2 tablespoons finely snipped fresh dill lettuce leaves

Broth is made by simmering meat and vegetables in

water.

or dressing: Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously and chill for several hours. For salad: Blanch the sugar snap peas. Blot away the excess moisture from the snap peas, cut them in half crosswise, and place them in a large bowl. Add the crabmeat, cucumber, cel-

ery, pepper, onion, and dill. Toss gently, cover, and chill. Just before serving, make a bed of lettuce leaves on a serv-

ing platter. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Mound the salad on the lettuce bed. Makes 4 servings. -food photography by Laurie Vogt

eryday Cookbook, see page 36.

(continued)

F

Food

Strawberry Chiffon Pie A smooth, cool treat for a hot summer day.

1% cups (about 1 quart) crushed, fresh strawberries ¥, cup sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon (about 2 packets) unflavored gelatin Ys cup cranberry or cranapple juice 2 cups whipping cream, divided 1 baked 9-inch piecrust strawberry halves, for garnish fq) ombine the strawberries, sugar,

and lemon juice in a bowl and let stand for about 30 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the gelatin and juice. Set the bowl with the gelatin mixture in a larger bowl filled with hot water. Stir —

gently until all of the gelatin is

;

;

‘

a

a

.

dissolved. Stir the gelatin mixture into the berries. Refrigerate until partially set. In a large bowl, whip | cup of the

cream. Fold the whipped cream into the berry mixture. Pour the filling into the baked piecrust and chill until firm. When ready to serve, whip the remaining 1 cup of, cream and spread or pipe it on the top of the pie. Decorate with strawberry halves. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

—_PIECRUST POINTERS” To keep pie dough from sticking to your countertop, roll out the crust between two sheets of lightly floured wax paper. To avoid a tough piecrust, don’t

overmix or overwork the dough.

Fill a sugar shaker with flour to shake out when you're rolling pastry.

To order a copy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac Everyday Cookbook, see page 36.

ee

ADVERTISEMENT

Time for a change? A new career? Supplemental income?

Work atHome

BE A MEDICAL eee Me SPECIALIST Take the first step to a — earning up to $40,000 Fg >» ey. a year and more! 5 Years l

Now you can train in the comfort of your own home to work at home or in a doctor’s office, hospital or clinic making great money...up to $40,000 a year and more as your experience and

Demand!* *The U.S. Department of Labor

projects a significant increase _ in demand for specialists doing billing for doctors’ offices!

skills increase! It’s no secret,

We make it easy and affordable

healthcare providers need Medical Billing Specialists.

Pe

ee

:

ee

to start a new career! You can be

ready to work in as little as four months.

ad

Get FREE FACTS on Medical Billing—

em toni

the perfect work-at-home career!

prepare medical claims for Medicare, Medicaid and private patients. And since every medical procedure must be properly billed, there’s plenty of work available. You'll make great money working with doctors as a vital part of the medical team...and really helping people, too.

TRAINAl we

You GetToll-Free Support! Nationally accredited training... é se. : call our toll-free hotline if you

be ready to work in as little as four months! Our experts train you step by step to perform the job of a qualified Medical Billing Specialist. Everything is explained ineasyto-understand language. You learn exactly

| Learn at your own pace

from our expert

_Jittle as four months and be ready to work!

Where you want!

see

Approved for V.A. education benefits, too!

You are never

everneed help —_what to do and how to do it! Graduate inas |—Wwhen you want and

CetFREE Facts! Call 1-800-388-8765 PxFrsoass U.S. Career Institute, Dept. FMAB2A88

2001 Lowe Street, Fort Collins, CO 80525

Or mail this coupon

P

toda

I}

y:

www.uscareerinstitute.com Yi Rush me my free information package with complete details about training at home to be a es. Medical Billing Specialist. I understand there is absolutely no cost and no obligation. Name:

Age:

Address:

Apt: o

City:

2009

State:

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

Zip:

8

35

e Introducing a brand-new cookbook from the food editors of The Old Farmer’s Almanac

Make Every Meal an Easy, Home-Style Feast for Family

and Friends... Every Day!

Created by cooks who are cookbook collectors, the Everyday Cookbook is loaded with delicious and easy-to-prepare dishes that were carefully chosen from our huge collection of recipes.

SEND TODAY FOR YOUR COPY OF

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Everyday Cookbook

|

FREE Shipping!

IC LELELEDE AL LT E

This extraordinary book is packed with family and generational favorites like your parents and grandparents served—now updated for healthier and busier lifestyles. Included in this “cooking bible” are culinary delights like

Perfect Macarom and Cheese, Easy Dill Potato Soufflé, Mexical Wild Rice Casserole, French Farmer’s Baked Beef and Barley, Granny’s Best Chicken Soup, Chicken Potpre, Oven-__ Baked Barbecue Spareribs, Quick Fisherman’s Stew,

Strawberry Chiffon Pie, Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Pie, and many more yummy creations!

Order now through this

Special offer and we'll 4 | send you this beautifully _ photographed wall calendar featuring extra recipes and helpful hints.

|

15 BIG sections... ' Over 400 Delicious Recipes in All a #

| Featuring Breakfast and Brunch... Snacks and Appetizers... Soups, Chowders, and Stews |... Salads and Dressings... Vegetables and Sides _

... Poultry, Meats, and Fish... Barbecues... _ Pasta, Potatoes, and Rice... Breads, Muffins,

_ and Pastries... Desserts ... Canning and Preseromg

PLUS an Extra Helping of HINTS & TIPS!

= i

My vn

Ww :

a

i

}

>i a

pie

* Featuring 425 “best of the best” home-style recipes—all reader favorites! ¢ Every recipe tested and updated for today’s tastes and busy times * Includes illustrations throughout and 16 pages of full-color photos ¢ More than 180 timeless hints

and tips

Visit:

FREE Shipping and FREE

shop.Almanac.com

Yall 1-800-ALMANAC.

_ YES! Please send me The Old Farmer’s Almanac Everyday Cookbook b ae my Free Bonus 2009 Recipe Calendar* I’ve included my payment for $24. 95 plus $4,05-shipping-and handling. - 2

ind mention promotion

Naina

ode A?TYO3

Address

r Complete this Pasorder r orm and mail with

yayment to:

Gift Order Form

Ci

;i eee

Jhigping:

; Zip

mang mente ey St ae

he Old Farmer's Almanac

: Method of payment: [] Check enclosed

0. Box 370 Jt. Morris, IL 61054-0370

; k Card no.

ClVisa [MasterCard

[_] Credit Card

[] AmEx

[1 Discover/NOVUS Exp. Date

eee ee ee Pee Cstenda Onroad Giccloriers Mee ear laced by 12/31/2008 while supplies last. Please include full payment, along with-shippimg-amtttrmdtimg-and applicable sales tax. Personal check or money IVER NEsree ames

ree oe me

order in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank. Offer valid in the U.S. only.

A GUARANTEE

OF GOODNESS

EVERY DAY—

Item OFEDCB

Your Satisfaction is 100° Guaranteed or Your Money Back!

Gardening

»)

: utumn’s cold nights usually signal the end of the harvest,

but in some places, for some _

vegetables, thecoldisthecure.

*

bint

——«,,

The chill ofa moderate frost or_ ted snow actually improves

ae

nENwod ae we SRT

on Pe

Cecafrots;skale, leeks,

_Pparsnips, and turnips. For best results in northern regions, prepare the aot Cert atLS ENAMEL G| Ment varieties that withstand low temperatures, as suggested here. Come harTASC STAAL MRRTOS crops could not be simpler:

Just leave them in the ground.

(SOT we

YR caray,

eee

;

a

Gardening

Cae cercaCo maeDaeg Loree Cree: frost and can be harvested in snow.

by Martie Majoros

-background, Iconos’ Photononstop ‘Jupiterimages

Gardening

Most plants taste better when

they’ve had to suffer a little. —Diana Kennedy, American food writer (born c. 1920)

HAVE A PLOT PLAN

Before the ground freezes, prepare the garden for one of these in-ground stor-

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

age methods:

We kids feared many things in those

® Insulate plants from winter’s extreme

days—werewolves, dentists, North

temperatures and protect them from the

Koreans, Sunday school—but they all

damage of repeated thawing and freezing

paled in comparison with brussels

with organic mulch (leaves or hay). In ar-

sprouts.

eas that experience severe winters, apply

~Dave Barry; America yi

10 to 12 inches of mulch before the ground freezes. For extra protection, add arow cover. (Remove the mulch and row

Brussels sprouts are best when they are about | inch in diameter. Harvest the lower sprouts first, break-

cover in the early spring to allow the soil

ing off the leaves below each

to dry out more quickly.)

sprout. New sprouts will continue to form. About 3 weeks before the

m® Dig a trench or hole 1% to 2 feet deep. Line the bottom with 1 to 2 inches of straw and layer harvested root vegetables in the trench. Cover each layer with about 2 inches of straw. Cover the hole with plywood pitched to shed rainwater and use straw bales on top of the lid to protect the vegetables from freezing temperatures. Regardless of which storage method you use...

ae

final harvest, remove the top leaves

to encourage the growth of the remaining sprouts. After a moderate frost, remove all of the leaves, pull

up the whole stalk—with the roots—and hang it upside down ina cool, dry basement or barn. Stalks may be stored for about a month ina root cellar or unheated basement. If you plan to harvest the sprouts directly from the garden during the winter, leave the top leaves intact to

® Do not wash vegetables after har-

vesting and before storing; just lightly

Top: ‘Bolero’ carrots

brush off any EXCESS dirt.

Center: ‘Diablo’ brussels sprouts

® Place poles or other markers in the garden so that you will know where the vegetables are after a snowfall. 40

Right: ‘Danish Ballhead’ cabbage

Seeds Selected -Johnny's

~~ WWW.NOGGINTOPS.COM ORDER ONLINE OR CALL 1-877-943-4287

£ 3 3 ® %® = G &

‘CAPACITY Saw 24" dia logs by 11' long!

=

= =

i

LT1O Ultra Compact

-.

Call fora FREE catalog and DVD

800.553.0182 woodmizer.com/a777 Seed Jung W. -J. Co.

Gardening

~www.parkseed.com

HOW

COLD

1T?

Above: ‘Redbor’ kale

Right: ‘Giant Musselburgh’ leeks

3 Plants react

differently to

Seeds ~Vese

freezing tempera-

provide protection from the snow and cover the plants with 10 to 12 inches of mulch.

tures. Here’s

®

what you can

Recommended

varieties: ‘Catskill’, ‘Diablo’,

‘Long Island Improved’, ‘Oliver’

expect the next

time frost is predicted.

CABBAGE Cabbage: a familiar kitchen-garden vegetable about as large and wise as a man’s head.

29° to 32°F

—Ambrose Bierce, American writer (1842—c. 1914)

(light freeze):

Harvest cabbage heads when they are firm to the touch;

Damage is limited

mature heads left in the garden for too long may split. Cut as close to the base of the head as possible. Tear off any yellow leaves before storing; the loose green leaves will protect the head during storage. Store in an outdoor trench or root cellar. Alternatively, pull up the whole cabbage plant—roots and all—and hang it in a moist cellar that reaches near-freezing temperatures.

to tender plants.

25° to 28°F (moderate freeze): Many plants

experience some damage.

=& Recommended

varieties: ‘Danish Ballhead’,

‘Stein’s Late Flat Dutch’

24°F and colder (severe freeze):

CARROTS

Most plants

The day is coming when a single carrot freshly observed will set offa revolution.

experience heavy damage.

—Paul Cézanne, French painter (1839-1906)

Although carrots can be left in the garden, protected by

Money-Back Guaranteed

Mr vate muy

——

=~

a

— -

SS

Cracked heels

ordryteet? — Te the natural way to IE eee BA Bas and Ty Role5 pe

Cag Len Exfoliating{@inument

You'll be amazed how. quickly:thenatural-enzymes in CalleX®-Ointment exfoliate, moisturize and soften dry, cracked or hardened skin on-heels, soles-and toes, leaving

your feet baby soft. Its patented, diabetic-friendly formula is also free of potentiallyirritating acids, parabens and lanolin. Natural peppermint scent. “IT can wear sandals again without embarrassment. CalleX is wonderful and | am so happy to have found it.| just can’t get over how nice my feet are now.” CalleX User, Portsmouth, VA

Now in the FOOT CARE aisle at

Withus,it'spersonal.

TARGET, other Supercenters, grocery stores and

L Maintand Stores Onty

Xenna Corporation

(wee Asvorveccated Company

Tel 800-368-6003

“ENA? www.xenna.com

NOT TESTED ONANIMALS Made in USA

Gardening

Cavagnaro ~-David

Above left: ‘Harris Model’ parsnips Above right: ‘Purple Top White Globe’ turnips

Co, & Burp Atlee -W,

heavy mulch and deep snow, they can also be pulled before the ground freezes and stored in bins filled with dry sawdust or sand in a cool, dry area such as a basement. Harvest carrots within 2 weeks of maturity, cutting off

all but '/ to 1 inch of the tops. =

BETWEEN SEASONS

§ Vegetables that like cold can also - be grown success-

fully in warmer regions if they are planted during

those times of the year when it is cooler, such as

early spring or late autumn. Choose

Recommended

varieties: ‘Bolero’, ‘Napoli’, ‘St. Valery’

KALE [G]ardens, or yards, as the inhabitants called

them... were stored with gigantic plants of kale or colewort... —Waverly, Sir Walter Scott, Scottish writer (1771-1832)

Kale is known for its nonheading, leafy growth. The leaves of nondwarf varieties are usually not as curly as those of their dwarf counterparts, but because they grow taller, they are less susceptible to ground-level freezes. Mild frosts will improve the flavor. Kale’s roots run horizontally around the plant, merely inches below the soil, which makes mulching essential to guarantee a supply of mature leaves throughout the winter. = Recommended

varieties: ‘Redbor’, ‘Red Russian’,

‘Toscano’, ‘Winterbor’

a location that receives some

shade during the day and apply organic mulch (not

black plastic) to

keep the soil cool.

44

Rae Eat leeks in March and wild garlic in May, And all year after, physicians may play. —Welsh proverb

In regions where the ground never freezes, leeks can be harvested all winter. In areas that experience harsh winters,

6

ADVERTISEMENT

7

Dirscoustal

Over 150 Working Steam Toys, Stirling Hot Air Engines and Collectible Tin Toys Kits or Assembled

From

$87.96

REFUNDABLE WITHORDER

rom seaside 6 Se to

YESTERYEAR TOYS & BOOKS INC. BOX 537+ DEPT. OFS+*ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY 13607

mountain retreats,

the Pacific Yurt

r

el em

"

FACTORY DIRECT PRICES Why Pay Retail?

Lele)

velajamcom ole

fi50% LESS than the Leading Brand i

Be

\/

Call today for a brochure:

1.800.944.0240 Swelling Low Back

Arthritis Hips

Reading, TV Breathing

Circulation

Relaxation

Hiatal Hernia

I

AAA fe)aci Ta Cc

ElectropedicBeds.com

©7800) 551-2010.

|

L

ASe com

i

YaRES inc__ ss

al

WORLD'S LEADING MANUFACTURER

Want Longer Hair? ‘1S Grows Longer, Thicker, Hair in just 5-7 Days! IMAGINE YOUR but your

s

Rush ©2008 Inc Industries

HAIR WAIST LENGTH! Nota false hair extension

own hair...grown naturally with the remarkable fast-acting

formula Stro This amazing formula "nourishes" your hair Bright down to the root. Rich in hair building proteins, Vitamin BS . ~(Panthenol) and polymers with Polyquaternium II... adds EXTRA

SS'ATHICKNESS to thinning hair. Non sticky, 100% safe, even for colored, >.a.

il

eT

or processed hair

‘

Smever been th

althy looking." leaVreTarNYd) Copan|) ee

BEFORE: Oz are sping

Quality Products Since 1977

\

OR sr

HAIR TYPES

Qi

off.

;

O

Express Service add $5.00 per order

Enclosed is O Check O MO

Acct# Address

§

SPS Sa Dept.

KRE223JA

O 90 Day SupplyLong 'N Strong™

D1 60 Day Supply Long 'N Strong” Only $24.90 + $5.95 S&H

/

“ AFTER

straw-like hale ttietbreaks in bunches.

Send to: Rush Industries, Inc. 263 Horton Highway, Mineola, NY 11501 Yes, | wish to keep my hair growing longer, thicker, stronger everyday! Please send: Treatment Lotion Only $14.95 + $3.95 S&H

“* BEFORE

FIER: Seehowsplit ends have been nelle Goodbye to weak, brite,

30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE (less S&H)

D1 30 Day Supply Long 'N Strong ™

HICKENS

See the following clinical photos,

Rush Industries, Inc. Bs

ALL

Developed by a world reknowned pharmaceutical company and now brought to you in this exclusive formulation.

:

2

ny ‘A

FOR

Not Available inStores!

C1 New Complete Treatment Set 1 of each

d

Only $34.85 + $7.95 S&H

Save

Only $37.95 + $7.95 S&H

(Treatment Lotion, Moisturizing Shampoo, Leave In Texturizing Serum)

— Or Charge

it!

.¥S4)

o Go

Name Cy eS

fa

omz

Staten

Exp.

Date

Zip

Order by phone: (516) 741-0346 or at atari aisren.

2009

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

45

@) Gardening

The Vermont Country Store Purveyors of the Practical & Hard-To-Find

Come shop our stores!

apply 10 to 12 inches of mulch to keep the ground from freezing. & Recommended varieties: ‘Blue Solaise’, ‘Giant Musselburgh’, ‘Tadorna’

PARSNIPS The parsnip, children, I repeat Is merely an anemic beet. —Ogden Nash, American writer (1902-71)

Rt. 100 Rt. 103 802-824-3184 802-463-2226 Stores open daily, 9-5:30 eae ant House Restaurant ight 2) next to the Weston store)

Rt 100, Weston + 802-824-6278 Lunch daily, 11-3 /Supper Fri.&Sat. til8 vermontcountrystore.com 802-824-3184

Parsnips can be pulled throughout the winter. However, in harsher climates, heavily mulch parsnips before the ground freezes. Harvest all parsnips before the tops begin to grow the following spring, or they will become bitter. ® Recommended varieties: ‘All-American’, ‘Andover’, ‘Harris Model’, ‘Long Smooth’

TURNIPS One who is proud of ancestry is like a turnip; there is nothing good of him but that which is underground. —Samuel Butler, English writer (1835-1902)

]

a

Maine Goodies Explore our website and select

from hundreds of delicious gourmet foods and unique Maine-made gifts. Think of us for a taste of home or that something special from your recent vacation. Birthdays, weddings and the holidays, we have something for everyone on your gift list. Order : on-line or request a catalog.

MaineGoodies.com S

eo”

§

5 Winslow Road e Albion, ME 04910

1-866-385-6238

Harvest turnips when they are at least 1 inch in diameter. If left too long, turnips will become woody and tough. Mulch them heavily before the ground freezes if they are to overwinter in the garden. Indoors, they can be stored the same way as Carrots. ® Recommended

varieties:

‘Gilfeather’, ‘Golden Ball’, ‘Purple Top White Globe’ oo Martie Majoros, research editor at The Old Farmer's Almanac, claims that the best brussels sprouts she ever tasted were harvested in December from under a blanket of snow.

VV)mag no m0 Cleees

Papeeraucaee j08s

SUL Ue

LL)

REC ReeoERe a ae Ue ae

Wall Word’s

Barn House Lighting

Trees

Colonial Reproduction &

With our trees you can have the outside inside. Before buying,

Rustic Lighting for your Home

preview your phrase, check the lengths,

colors, and fonts at our Web site: wallwords.com

Free catalog 888-422-6685

Outdoor Lanterns Chandeliers * Sconces Solid Cedar Wood Lamp Posts.

503 Suncook Valley Road Alton, NH 03809 1-800-481-4602

We offer a wide selection of American-made manufacturers barnhouselighting.com

Timberwolf Barnmakers New barns with the

authenticity of century-old post and beam construction.

Introducing the TW-P1 log splitter. Designed to reduce strain and

increase productivity using Timberwolf's ts patented optional log (lift and table grate. The TW-P1 also accepts an optional 4-way wedge designed to cut splitting time in half. of Le ws SS eee os

Made in the USA 800-340-4386 www.timberwolfcorp.com

Hy-Viz, Inc. Custom-made reflective products made in the USA. Driveway and border markers made to

Old Village Paint

Top Quality Historic Restoration Paint. One coat

your needs in any color, style, and height. Reflective clothing from

‘ vests to winter jackets. Mention this ad for 9% offyour order.

973-478-1464 * www. hyviz.com 48

coverage as

since 1816.

EE

800-498-7687

= =D www.old-village.com

Create a personal almanac page at Almanac.com.

2009

Mrs. Nelson's Candy House Candies! For over 51 years _ we have used only the finest = ingredients in our can-

[, |7 All Natural... 0 pop and now Organic! Good . Family-owned specialty se]FAQ food company located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

since 1981. Specialty Baking Mixes, Pepper Jellies,

dies—cream, butter, honey,

ee and special blends of a aecnenaciin chocolates. Call for a FREE brochure. Long famous for quality candies mailed all over the world. Treat yourself or someone special today. 292 Chelmsford St., Chelmsford, MA 01824

978-256-4061

Jams, Dessert Sauces and Grilling Sauces. 319 Vaughan Street + Portsmouth, NH 03801 1-800-842-6691 - lollipoptree.com

Dura Coat Floor Coating for Concrete, Metal, Wood

The Lobster Net Looking for a great gift idea?

For: Garage, Shop, Basement,

The Lobster Net delivers the freshest live Maine lobsters and gift packages anywhere in the U.S.A. Great for ) parties and everyone on your list!

Dairy, Farm, Roof. Fills in cracks, holes, and

pitted areas. www.durco.com * 866-250-9296

— Si ——>

Delivered Right To Your Door!

Cedar Shutters All types & sizes Unfinished or painted Hinges & Holdbacks Free Brochure/Prices

All the shutter you will ever need! shuttercraft.com 203-245-2608

ee i eee eee

8a)

x

WALLS!

800-360-9520 © www. TheLobsterNet.com

nf

Homemade Pierogi We make and ship fully-

PIEROGI

cooked plerog) pierogi with these popular fillings: cabbage,

potato & cheese, prune, blueberry, potato & onion, farmer's cheese, or potato & cheese w/kielbasa. Box of 6 trays $42.00 Box of 10 trays $63.00 Polish Party Pack $66.00 One dozen pierogi per tray. 129 Broadway + Chicopee Falls, MA 01020

milliespierogi.com + 800-743-7641

The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co., Inc.

Maine Goodies

You've trusted our 20 easy to use shades of Milk Paint since 1974. Our NEW formula is designed specifically for walls and other non-porous surfaces. Like our original formula SafePaint is organic, biodegradable, permanent, durable and non-polluting.

Over 1,500 Maine-made or inspired items. MaineGoodies.com

Dept. OFA, P.O. Box 222

1-866-385-6238

Groton, MA 01450-0222

Catalog available.

Your one stop on

the internet for

Maine products.

978-448-6336 * milkpaint.com 2009

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

49

Gardening

UII

Nh

Having milkweed in your garden practically ensures that a flutter will follow.

by.L.. Patricia. Kite hroughout its stages as a caterpillar and

include wind root, orange milkweed, and

colorful, winged creature, the monarch

Indian posy. It prefers good drainage and little water in summer. Swamp milkweed

butterfly eats only one thing: milkweed. Finding a species of milkweed that will thrive in your garden should not be difficult, as about 100 are native to North America. One of the most common in home gardens is the butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), which has clear sap and orange or yellow flowers. Alternate names for it

(A. incarnata), with white or pink flow-

ers, needs plenty of moisture—as its name implies. Blood flower (A. curassavica), which sends up orange and yellow flowers, is native to South America but can be grown as an annual in temperate regions. Other species found on that continent include

a7

50

Gardening

-illustration, Kristin Kest

51

Gardening

H., J. 2005 V, K. and USDA-NRCS Bodner -Ted @ Miller, Database/ PLANTS

Gti

ony

milkweed

It’s only a matter of time before

ice meee CRO erereereseserenenconene

THE MAKING OF A MONARCH

monarch butterflies discover milkweed

n early summer, the female lays its

in your garden.

eggs on the undersides of milkweed leaves. Five days later, tiny

spider, sand, plains, purple, green, common, and showy milkweed, all of which like sun. Depending on the species, milkweed grows 2 to 6 feet tall. Its small flowers are arranged in a fivepointed star pattern and grouped in round or flat clusters called umbels. The flowers’ slippery surfaces aid in pollination: When an insect lands, it slides around and the hairs on its feet get covered with pollen, which is carried away. The plant’s thick-skinned seedpods begin green and are covered with woolly bumps called warts. In late summer, when the pods are fully dry, they split open to reveal—and release—hundreds of small brown ; seeds that are hard and flat. Attached to each seed is a tuft of 1- to 2-inch-long silky white hairs, also called fibers, strands, silk, down, or floss. The wind carries the seeds away, and the hairs act as a parachute, gently dropping the seeds to the ground. (For this reason, some species can become a nuisance.) Once monarch butterflies begin migrating north in the spring, it should be only a matter of time before they discover the milkweed in your garden. 52

(continued)

larvae, or caterpillars, with yellow, black, and white bands emerge. The

caterpillars grow rapidly, nourished

—

S ‘ CO

2

by the plant’s leaves and stems—

their only source of food.

When a caterpillar is 2% inches long, it changes into a barrel-shape,

leaf-green chrysalis studded with gold dots. About 4 weeks later, a bright-orange and black monarch

butterfly emerges. Its sole sustenance is milkweed flower nectar. Researchers believe that the butterflies follow a sleep and feeding schedule governed by a circadian clock in their brain—an organ that

is no bigger than the head of a pin.

ADVERTISEMENT

NEW DR® LEAF and LAWN VACUUM VACUUMS leaves, grass clippings, pine cones, pine needles, nuts, and twigs from your lawn using an

=, incredible 85 mph suction force!

; SHREDS most everything it vacuums. Reduces the volume of leaves by 90%.

CHIPS fallen tree branches and prunings up to 2" thick with built-in chipper. DUMPS OR BAGS collected material.

Get a FREE DVD and Catalog with complete details including model specifications, low, factory-direct prices, and our 6-Month Risk-Free Trial guarantee!

Free L-800-731-0493 www.DRleafvac.com 2009

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

2008 ©Inc. CHP,

Gardening

PERFECT POISON Most milkweed varieties contain a bitter-tasting poison that is believed to be a defense against plant-eating animals, including insects. However, the poison is not present in the plants’ nectar, allowing hummingbirds,

=

bees, and butterflies to feed on its flowers as a part

: POD SQU ADS

of their diets.

:

Milkweed’s white sap, or latex, contains an

i

78 rior to the capture of Java and the

Philippines by the Japanese mil-

acrid alkaloid. During the larval and later stages, the monarch stores the sap in its tissue, and its presence makes the butterfly taste bitter: A bird that eats a monarch will vomit immediately. To test for

itary in 1941, those islands provided the United States with kapok, which is silk floss derived from silk-

taste, some crafty birds will sample the wing of a monarch or its look-alike, the Viceroy butterfly, which is not a milkweed feeder. An ant that crawls on a milkweed stem will

: cotton trees (Ceiba pentandra) that : was used to stuff life preservers.

:

In their search for substitute

: stuffing, American scientists : learned that bunched milkweed

rarely survive. Its feet will puncture the stem and release sap. As the sap hardens, the ant will struggle to get out of it, only to become more stuck.

: floss floats and is warmer and much

: lighter in weight than wool. Alife

Curiously, milkweed was once used as aheal-

_: jacket containing 1’ pounds of

ing herb, and its Latin name, Asclepias, reflects:

milkweed floss could keep a 150: pound man afloat for up to 10 hours. This was good news for fighter pilots: If an aviator fell into the ocean, the floss-filled flight suit could act as both a life jacket and an insulator.

Wishes will come true for a person

who catches and releases a traveling bit

of milkweed floss.

: —folklore

3

The U.S. government asked the public to collect milkweed pods from the wild. Scout troops, community groups, farmers—people throughout North America—searched for the pods, inspired by the motto “two bags save one life.” In all, volunteers gathered more than 25 mil-

lion pounds, which was sent by

freight car to central collecting stations in Petoskey, Michigan. The need for and collecting of milkweed pods ceased when World -Jennifer Database PLANTS USDA-NRCS @ Anderson War Il ended.

ADVERTISEMENT

Doctor Recommended TV Headset

“TV Fg rs saved

ITM

VARY A

our marriage!" —Darlene and Jack B., CA octor

recommended

TV

Ears™

D

has helped thousands of people with hearing loss hear the television clearly without turning up the volume! With 2.3 MHz technology, you set your own TV Ears volume and tone while others listen to the television volume at their own level. Imagine watching television with your family again and hearing every word clearly... as thousands of our customers have said,

“TV Ears has changed our lives!” revolutionary noise reduction ear tip, not

used in any other commercially headset.

creates

-an_

The

“

Now my husband can have the volume as loud as he needs...and I can have the TV

at my hearing level. “TV Ears” are

with the

so comfortable that Jack forgets he Rechargeable headset is

Ot

television dialog is clear

eliminates high

— Darlene & Jack B., CA

batterila

Adjust Headset

Call now and get FREE shipping!*

Ears

Call toll-free 24 hours a day

has earned the trust and confidence of audiologists nationwide as well as world renowned doctors.

#1 “My

; Dr.

Recommended

wife

and

I have

TV

é

‘

Volume and Tone

customers.

TV_

\ /#¢ar and understand the dialog.

cost of replacement

proven to help the most

why

has them on! He can once again : se

lightweight and

and understandable. Get the technology that has demanding

: : : : disturbing others with loud TV volume!

tip

ear that reduces outside noise and increases word

That’s

Fe

acoustically

sealed chamber

:

Listen to TV at your own level without

Fit cars Patonind sTocknulogy inckadessa available

7

1-866-611-9935 Or visit

www.tvearsproducts.com Promotional Code 32198 30-dayrisk free trial

Headset.

used

TV

Ears

almost daily for the past two years and

“Bs

TV-E

ARS

find them an invaluable help in our

LB),

enjoyment of television—we would not be without them. As a retired otologist,

Suen oruneneremenged Ty ans neve TVEars, Inc. 2810 Via Orange Way #A

I heartily recommend TV Ears to people

:

Spring Valley, CA 91978

with normal hearing as well as those —TVfarsis.atrademark ofTV Ears, Inc. ©2008 TV Ears, Inc.

with hearing loss.”

All rights reserved.

—Robert Forbes, M.D., California

2009

+Free shipping within the contiguous 48states only.

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

55

Gardening

that. Asclepias was the Greek god of medicine and healing; he is depicted as an elderly, bearded man carryingastaff that is encircled by one or two serpents. This serpent staff, called a caduceus, is still the symbol for the medical profession. Today, milkweed has no medicinal value. In fact, its sap may cause skin irritations in humans. Ingesting large amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, heart and breathing problems, and even death in humans and animals.

™ Colonists used the floss as bed stuffing; about

9 pounds would fill a mattress, and it was less costly than feathers. © In the 19th century, industrialists mixed floss

with flax or wool to produce thread that was woven into cloth from which hats, netting, and socks were fashioned. In the 1860s, milkweed processing was an industry in Salem, Massachusetts. Workers could harvest 600 to 800 pounds of floss from 30,000 plants. ™® More recently, several companies have begun

FASHIONABLE FLOSS Throughout the centuries, people have found many uses for milkweed floss: © Native Americans used it as swaddling for

babies, lining for moccasins and buffalo robes, and stuffing for pillows.

producing comforters and pillows filled with a mixture of goose down and floss, while others have explored the material’s ability to recover crude oil from seawater. L. Patricia Kite writes about gardening, folklore, and history from her home in California.

Ervcre )

starting at

onl

Fa we Met)ame & INDEPENDENCE REMAIN IN YOUR OWN HOME

AVOID

FALLING

BUILT IN GRAB 7 leh ta

a Broch

CFO PPC

HYDROTHERAPY OPTION

yp.

AMERICAN

MADE

\6 \

ADVERTISEMENT

smart

iviower

em antsy Bale tj

The Neuton* Battery-Powered Mower uses no gas or oil, so it’s quiet, clean, and starts instantly — every time! It is lightweight, so it’s easy for anyone to use. So economical it costs about 10¢ to mow your lawn and never needs a tune-up. It’sthe only lawn mower that will also TRIM . around trees and EDGE along your walk or driveway.

moNnTH

GieK-FREE TRIAL!

So EASY to Start and Use...Just Grasp the handlebar and it starts! Because the Neuton® Mower is battery powered, pull starts, fumes, and noise are

trips around your property to finish up trimming after you mow!

BEG=Ok Le: Past. It has the power of a gas mower, yet weighs half as much, so the Neuton’ won't strain your arms, legs, or back. It’s also easier to use (no fussing with gas or oil), and smarter than other battery-powered mowers, too!

6-Month Risk-Free Trial - Find out why it’s America’s #1-selling batterypowered mower!

You can want an the only optional

Find out how you can try a quiet, instantstarting Neuton® Mower with our 6-Month RISK-FREE Trial. Just mail the coupon below, visit us online at neutonmowers.com or call the phone number below to receive your FREE Neuton DVD and Catalog with “ tg 2 oe? Pe complete details.

instantly add afresh battery if you extra hour of mowing. Plus, this is mower in the world with an Trimmer attachment! No more 2nd

ariginal, easy-handling

neucton AYURALGY GMARISA POWER EOUIPMERT

e

48 Ib. model is half the weight of most

TOLL-FREE 1-888-212-0740 f=

aesae

eee

ee

eee

ee

ee

eee

|

™M Please rush my FREE DVD and Catalog all about quiet, easy-to-use, Neuton’ Battery-Powered Mowers, including specifications low, factory-direct prices and your 6-Month Risk-Free Trial guarantee! I Name

:

= Bs

eee

Address _ Gy Evi

ees

>| lo|

= a

ae

=

States

=

|| |

7aP so:

he

pmeuton, Dept. 62661X New 19"-cut, 36-volt model is great for larger lawns up to 1/3 acre.

2009

_pe_so be sos

75 Meigs Road, Vergennes, Vermont 05491

We

eee

f

shife

sedchee dealer

THE Ovpd FARMER’S ALMANAC

1

:

atchahella

:

74

se

-

57

cae

a

’

Nature

:

i, Boe

‘

b

Pee

~ .

ee

.

®)

FF

i

La eC

PA SUE Ena M eyTir by certain ETT cy fish, mollusks, fungi, and ULE Pe

UTC Tee Ue

WTTa

aaa a aa ACHE

chemical. Reet ri bute) aCe ty ane ie the deep.ocean. aT most aUT a Tye eT

edie fe source (the Clg Come Duce isa * rel light. ri ae .

with oxygen to produce light: | ‘®@ amolecule called luciferin

13 low Te)ga een Seca aed ta lic Tall SS a eo

|| a

Tri eenLets fore

fi

sive

an enzyme called luciferase an energy molecule called adeno-

ine triphosphate (ATP), which is found

} Dt

ST Tesrab rT e i - inall living things NYcalled ir cay la ew 86s For example, fireflies glow when Tet glowing ter) AY1 oy,) Ke | luciferase reacts with luciferin. In the -aboard TB M.S..Le rhPCa ee Ba presence of oxygen and ATP, these jBam

|

ae (Ke

Tut bioluminescent Se

1 aRua ns ground)cueTRUKicine

me ity yulookcoe é

| . agents produce a short-lived, high- fam

energy compound that glows.

re a _ It’s not currently practical to use

aa

eS

bioluminescence for home lighting | ) | (the chemicals are expensive and dif- —

ficult to make, and the light would be |

~ very dim). However, the phenomenon _

| is being studied for a wide variety of er

2

-

i

pinint He _ Pcl eTy prices Coie

| uses, such as testing water and food Ure

, quality, genetic engineering, and even

land mine detection.

im

4

i

‘-

ey ;

t ve Hi

3

Ke Ae

ge

Te

; , en

we

anaes!

Ne

5 's

ns

ETT.

ks

ad spe

a fee > ,te

:

¢

e

Th a i vai

a SEAT. : t -

> ie 7 ae an

bers iy

Pi

= a

Po ie oO = Wot s@5

mato:

ComposTumbler

1834 Freedom Rd., Dept. 42019C Lancaster, PA 17601

eee =

www.compostumbler.com

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

Group PBM 2009 ©

‘oO9

Only 400 years ago, most people still believed that Earth was the.

- |

—

:

center of the solar system.

_ It sometimes seems like Galileo gets all the credit.

Then along _He created the first telescopes used for astronomi-

__ eal observation. He was the first to describe the

came Johannes __ bumps on the surface of the Moon; he recognized that Kepl

ep fe

by Bob Berman

__ the Milky Way consisted of an array of distant stars:

he discovered the satellites of Jupiter as well as the _ Sun’s spots; and he determined that Earth moves around the Sun. Wrong . . . on the last point. Galileo merely observed what Johannes Kepler had already proved: The universe does not revolve around Earth. It was Kepler—sickly, brilliant Kepler, plagued by a nagging wife and the deaths of several children—-who figured out planetary place and motion in his head, without the help of any optical instrument. Born in Germany’ in 1571, Kepler loved astronomy and mathematics from

childhood. Despite being surrounded by a general public that could not abandon the religious doctrine of a fixed

Earth, he grew up believing that the Polish astronomer Copernicus’s observation was correct: The planets orbit the Sun, not Earth. Kepler’s three faws of motion made clear the structure and scale of the solar system. =North Wind Picture Archives

Astronomy Although Kepler failed in his tireless efforts to explain exactly how the planets behaved, his work gained the attention of some of the preeminent astronomers of his day. One of these was Tycho Brahe, a Danish nobleman whose Earth-

centric theories had earned him wide acclaim. A correspondence between the two ensued, and,

before long, Brahe invited Kepler to become his

assistant in Prague. _The move enabled Kepler to lay his hands on

piles of observations that Brahe had made care_ fully over nearly two decades. For example, in _ Brahe’s notes Kepler read that one night Mars hovered next to a star. By the next night, it had moved. A month later, it was in yet another place. : Sometimes the Red Planet changed direction, and it continuously altered its speed. Kepler won-

_ dered what the possible mechanics behind this could be. By 1605, he had the answer, but he

could scarcely believe it: Everything would work if all planets moved in paths that were ellipses. Could everyone else have overlooked something so simple?

Kepler wanted to publish |his conclusions 1mmediately, but disputes arose over ownership of the observations, even after Brahe’s death. De-

spite the challenges, Kepler’s signature work, Astronomia nova (A New Astronomy), in which

he laid out two of his Laws of Planetary Motion, finally went to press in 1609—-exactly 400 years ago. Kepler’s first law states that all planets move around the Sun in orbits that are ellipses, with the Sun at one focus. (Kepler’s law requires that

only one focus be occupied. The other focus is a mathematical point only, an empty spot in space.) His second law says that a line drawn from the Sun to a planet sweeps out equal areas of space in equal amounts of time. Kepler concluded that

101

| demonstrate

by means of philosophy that

Earth is round

and is inhabited on all sides; insignificantly

small, and is borne through —Johannes Kepler, '

German astronomer:

eee

LYMbp

the area that the line sweeps through during any given period of time—say, a week—is always the same, regardless of how far the Earth is from the Sun. The implications of this conclusion represented truly extraordinary thinking. It meant that Earth moved at different speeds: faster when near the Sun and slower when at its most distant part of the ellipse. This second law also explained away certain astronomical phenomena, such as why the Sun doesn’t hover in the same part of the sky every day at noon and why the planets appear to alter their speed (faster and then slower) against the back-

ground stars. It also enabled Kepler and other astronomers to accurately predict a planet’s location at any given time. The book caused a sensation. Kepler’s ideas were revolutionary, even blasphemous. They changed millennia of incorrect thinking and proved what was really going on in the solar ag Soon after

nvm BneENsiONts,

Galileo observed what Johannes Kepler had already proved: The universe does not revolve around Earth.

the book’s release, Galileo took

5

his first peek through a telescope. His observations so confirmed everything Kepler had written that Galileo contacted Kepler for support, thus beginning a long relationship of mutual admiration. Kepler discovered his third law years later. At that time, astrologers knew from their observations of the stars and planets that the duration of any planet’s year was however long it took to

STRASS* PRINCIPE ACD

~ PENBERGICO, ET THAI, CONTE:

$ts6

BE Sagar

ae

oe wee. Feece eee

“seece Lge

oe ae tet Shea He i

; ee ESS RE ep co

ByesRis

te me

ee Pion

Gye Fore

Kepler’s planetary system is shown in a woodcut from Mysterium Cosmographicum, 1596.

ADVERTISEMENT

| Flatten your stomach | | Clogged arteries? Add | this to your life once a | day.

_ | without gut-wrenching exercises.

wes

4f you want to learn how to use gentle | folk remedies to unleash your body’s heal.ing power instead of resorting todangerous

prescription drugs orrisky surgery, you

|need The Folk Remedy

lopedia. You'll be amazed by how many inexpensive, easy, natural cures you can find

| all around you — in your pantry, cae oe

and grocery store.

_

> A natural way to rejuvenate your veins and arteries that will have you feeling brand new.

breast, colon, and prostate cancer! ® Clogged arteries virtually disappear when you add this to your life every day. ® Here’s the secret to naturally block out calories from foods. Just add this when you eat — and watch the weight melt away. Pm it protects your heart, lowers your cho-. lesterol, fights cancer, and much more! Researchers take a good look at this “miracie” mineral.

:

® Kills cancer cells dead in their LD Duke University study proves this tiny

your stomach without gut-_ seed packs a powerful punch! : wrenching exercises. These tips turn ugly > Just 2 glasses a day of (you won't believe this — but it’s true!) lowers your cholesterol 10 rock: —-and prevents heart attacks too! “super | tamin ee pr elsvision, > Trick He body into losingweight! Melts off fat safely, naturally and best yet, easily. cells seat. plus fightshe _} Give your brain the nutrients it needs for a loss, i better memory. Don't let your brain deteriParkinson’s, and es ofdiabetes. Are you getting 100%? : - - grale_when you can so_easily power itup._ P Miracle healing seed lowers blood pres- ‘ Learn about all these natural healing folks sure, reduces risk of stroke, plus fights remedies and more. To order a copy, just arthritis, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, ‘retum this coupon with your name and} ‘stomach disorders, and even mental prob- address and a check for $9.99 plus $3.00ship-t {ping and handling to: FC&A, Dept. POF8,1 lems! | > Prevent high blood pressure, colon can- +103 Clover Green, Peachtree City, GA 30269. os senility, and fragile bones. All with 'We will send you a copy of The Folk Remedy! one — yes, one — inexpensive daily sup- ‘Encyclopedia: Olive Oil, Vinegar, Honey: plement that keeps you healthy and strong. ‘and 1,001 Other Home Remedies. Flatten

> That “spare tire” around your waist is doing

1 You get a no-time-limit guarantee of sat-

more than just slowing you down. It also sisfaction or your money back. increases your risk of many life-threatening ‘ You must cut out and return this coupon; illnesses. Burn it off without gut-wrenching ‘with your order. Copies will not beaccepted! } 1 IMPORTANT — FREE GIFT i sit-ups and grueling fitness regimens. > Nature's wonder food for your body —— once praised by Gandhi. Fights heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and even protects against

2009

|

OFFER EXPIRESIN30DAYS

|

All orders mailed within 30 days will}

treceive a free gift, Get Well and Stay Well, 1guaranteed. Order right away! OFC&A 2008

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

103

Where Would

circle the sky. Nobody, however, knew how to accurately calculate the distance between the planets and the Sun or Earth— We Be Without that is, until Kepler found that a planet’s period (or year) multiplied by itself (or squared) matches Kepler? | the Sun cubed (or multiplied by itselfthe planet’s distance from three times). Kepler expresse d planetar y distances in Earth-Sun units, Lost in space. | also known as astronomical units (AUs). For example, Jupiter We would not takes 11.86 years to orbit the Sun and lies 5.2 AUs from it. A calculator shows that 11.86 x 11.86 equals 5.2 x 5.2 x 5.2 with understand planets! an error of less than one part in a thousand (caused by using orbits, how they fit | approximate numbers). This link between time and space made it possible to calculate distances within our solar system. into the solar system, | With these conclusions, the motion, structure, and—most imor how spacecraft portant—scale of the solar system suddenly became clear. These planetary laws changed everything, even before the first must be aimed in : astronomical use of the telescop e.

order to orbit other worlds. |

KEPLER . CURIOSITIES _ a Hecontrded Skea: at about age 4 and nearly fae blind.Aseaseni his eyesight was permanently impaired. @ He attended convent schools and had aspirations to become a minister but was persuaded instead to become a professor of mathematics. He calculated occurrences of astronomical and astrological phenomena for the years 1591-99 that were published as almanac data in Cal-

endarium und Prognosticum in 1595. While studying Tycho Brahe’s observations, Kepler would recheck his own calculations as many as 40 times to ensure absolute accuracy.

In 1613, he advocated the use of the Gregorian calendar and was met with papal resistance. Near the end of his life, some people suspected him of being a heretic, even spitting on him in public.

Because of all of Kepler’s achievements, Albert Einstein called him “an incomparable man.” Ho eee

104

Bob Berman, the author of five books, can be heard weekly on WAMC Northeast Public Radio. His Web site is www.skymanbob.com.

ADVERTISEMENT

@

“Thanks to Liberator Supply-Care, I’ll never have to reuse old, worn out catheters again!” Thousands of catheter users have turned to Liberator for a better quality of life.

“My name is Holly Clark and this is my real story in my

|

own words.

“1 was devastated when they told me I would have to reuse catheters for the rest of my life. My insurance coverage would only pay for 4 catheters per month. So I had to boil, dry and reuse old worn out catheters. Plus, I was

getting urinary tract infections. Then my Mom called. She had read about Liberator Medical Supply. I was nervous to call strangers but these strangers quickly became my friends. What a difference compared to my former catheter supplier. Liberator worked with my doctor and my insurance providers to get me qualified for a

&

As seen on national television

§

to new, sterile catheter every time I needed one. No more reusing, old catheters. My advice too.” life, your change will call this Medical, Liberator call catheters, everyone who uses

The advantages of enrolling in our Catheter Supply-Care Program. e Accredited Medicare and Medicaid provider. e Specialists in Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance paperwork and billing. e A leading, national provider of catheters. e Specialists in servicing and supporting patients with chronic conditions. e We provide a wide selection of catheters like hydrophilic, antibacterial, red rubber, coude and much more. e We work with your physician to obtain all

documentation required. e Many leading manufacturers like Coloplast, Mentor, Rochester Medical, Hollister, Rusch. e Your order is delivered discreetly to your home to ensure privacy. e Delivery is FREE. e You can talk to a live Catheter Supply-Care Specialist within moments—we do not use frustrating automated answering systems. e Free catheter sampling.

1-800-755-7880 If you’re not happy with your present catheter supplier, your service and support, or with your Medicare, Medicaid or private health insurance reimbursement call the Liberator Medical Catheter Supply-Care Hot Line today at 1-800-755-7880. Or visit us at liberatormedical.com.

Effective April 1, 2008, a new Medicare ruling ends the need to reuse catheters. Now you can have a new, sterile catheter every time you need to cath.* We also provide Diabetic and Ostomy supplies and Mastectomy Fashions *Doctor’s prescription required. Co-payments, deductibles and conditions apply.

Liberator Medical Supply, Inc.

|

We’re bringing better healthcare home to you

I TBRRATOR,

1-800-755-7880 * www.liberatormedical.com

SimvncS-

ADVERTISEMENT

HARNESS YOUR TRACTOR’S POWER TO ELIMINATE UGLY BRUSH PILES! TRANSFORM UP TO 45 HP OF TRACTOR POWER INTO RAW CHIPPING POWER! The 3-Point Hitch DR® CHIPPER is as rugged as your tractor! It devours branches up to 4-1/2" thick as fast as you can feed them in!

EXCLUSIVE SELF-FEEDING MODELS UP TO 18 HP, TOO! Only DR?® offers powerful, self-feeding models for homeowners. Self-feeding means you don’t need to force-feed branches through. Just drop most branches up to 5-1/2" thick in the hopper and walk away to get the next one. There’s no faster, easier way to rid your property of unsightly brush piles!

“TRASH” TO “TREASURE”! Our Professional-Power DR® CHIPPERS transform big, ugly brush piles into mountains of wood chip mulch... perfect for dressing up your landscaping!

Get a FREE

3-Point hitch, top-discharge CHIPPER shown here.

D D and Catalog

with complete details including model ee low, factory-direct prices, and our 6-Month Risk-Free Trial guarantee,

i 1-800-731-0493 106

Create a personal almanac page at Almanac.com.

ine, 2005 CHP,

2009

How

to

Use

How to Use This Almanac The calendar pages (112-139)

sore

are the heart of The Old & Farmer’s Almanac. They A= 7 long columns of numbers and symbols reveal all of nature’s precision, rhythm, and glory, providing an astronomical look at the year 2009.

present sky sightings and Wfagy astronomical data for the enKrommes -Bethtire year and are what make this book a true almanac, a “calendar of the heavens.” In essence, these pages are

Wa We Have Seasons

Vernal Equinox

AN

Le

Winter

BT ‘

ba

Solstice r

es

—s

Se,

Summer

Solstice

THE SEASONS OF 2009

Spring....... March 20, 7:44 a.m. EDT

Autumn. .... September 22, 5:19 p.m. EDT

Summer.......

Winter ..... December 21, 12:47 p.m. EST

June 21, 1:46 a.m. EDT

@ The seasons occur because as Earth revolves around the Sun, its axis remains tilted at 23.5 degrees from the perpendicular. This tilt causes different latitudes on Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice (around June 21) marks the

beginning of summer and occurs when the North Pole is tilted toward the Sun. The winter solstice (around December

21)

marks the beginning of winter and occurs 2009

when the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun. The equinoxes occur when the hemispheres equally face the Sun and receive equal amounts (12 hours each) of daylight and darkness. The vernal equinox (around March 20) marks the beginning of spring; the autumnal equinox (around September 23) marks the beginning of autumn. In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere. (continued)

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

107

¢ p.\ ie = N D LI R

How

to

Use

A

SAWM™MPLE

MONTH

ee ee eee Cc SKY WATCH 3 The box at the top of each Left-Hand Calendar Page describes the best times A iE to view celestial highlights, including conjunctions, meteor showers, and planets. (The dates 5 on which select astronomical events occur appear on the Right-Hand Calendar Pages.) N A| D 4 3 él 5 i) 7 8 pA Confused? Geyfhésetimesbirdedycate tated fg your zipfode MyLbealAimanatgom. \ R — at

2

@

oe

ae

>)

Rises

Poca

3

| | Length

Ss

of Day

Ee Sets

fh. m.

om

h.

m.

Declination| of Sun

°

High Ti

Times

Boston

'

Rises

h.

2 [Al 9 09/12 | 225.56]

2

eg

¢ m.

Pe

ie

C

:

C

Place | Age

tom. |

23

0 | 12 22 511 241 3 | 10: 23 A 9 10/12) 42 1D! Ps 24 jay 9 11/11 |22 454 33) 32] 10:37 [c} 14:49 je| psc] 7 The Left-Hand Calendar Pages (detail above) contain daily Sun and Moon rise and set times,

the length of day, high tide times, the Moon’s place and age, and more for Boston. Examples of how to calculate astronomical times for your location are shown below.

To calculate the sunrise/sunset times add or subtract this value to/from the result for your locale: Each sunrise/sunset _ of the first step. time is assigned a Key Letter whose value is EXAMPLE given in minutes in the Time Corrections table on page 237. Find your city in the table, or the city @ To find the length of day in Richmond, nearest you, and add or subtract those minutes

to/from Boston’s sunrise or sunset time given.

for Richmond (p. 241)

@ To find the time of sunrise in Denver, Col-

orado, on the first day of the month:

pee or hey Laren & far Denver (p. 237) Sunrise, Denver

Length of day, Boston (above)

9h. 09m.

Sunset Key Letter A

EXAMPLE:

Sunrise, Boston, with Key Letter E (above)

Virginia:

7:13 a.m. EST

+

Reverse sunrise Key Letter E for

Richmond (p.241,+11to-11) Length of day, Richmond

41m.

9h. 50m.

-

11m.

9h. 39m.

Use the Sun Fast column to change sun+

7 minutes

——

7:20 a.m. MST

To determine your city’s length of day, find the sunrise/sunset Key Letter values for your city on page 237. Add or subtract the sunset value to/from Boston’s length of day. Then simply reverse the sunrise sign (from minus to plus, or plus to minus) and

dial time to clock time in Boston or anz 3 B other location. A sundial reads natural time,

or Sun time, which is neither Standard nor Daylight time. To get Boston clock time, subtract the minutes given in the Sun Fast column (except where the number is preceded by an asterisk [*], in which case add the minutes) and use Key Letter C in the table on page 237 to convert the time to your city.

ATTENTION, READERS: All times given in this edition of the Almanac are for Boston, Massachusetts, and are in Eastern Standard Time (EST), except from 2:00 A.M., March 8, until 2:00 4.M., November 1,

when Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) is given. Key Letters (A—E) are provided so that you can calculate times for other localities.

108

Get customized data at MyLocalAlmanac.com.

2009

How

Longitude of city

EXAMPLE:

@ To change sundial time to clock time in Boston, or, for example, in Salem, Oregon: Sundial reading (Boston or Salem) Subtract Sun Fast (p. 108)

12:00 noon - 12 minutes

Clock time, Boston

11:48 a.m. EST

Use Key Letter C for Salem (p. 240)

+

Clock time, Salem

12:15 p.m. PST

27 minutes

This column gives the degrees and minutes of the Sun from the celestial equator at noon EST or EDT. This column gives the approximate times of high tides in Boston. For example, the first high tide occurs at 2:00 A.M. and

the second occurs at 2:15 P.M. the same day. (A dash indicates that high tide occurs on or after midnight and is recorded on the next day.) Figures for calculating high tide times and heights for localities other than Boston are given in the Tide Corrections table on page 234. To calculate the moonrise/moonset times for localities other than Boston,

follow the example in the next column, making a correction for longitude (see table, above right). For the longitude of your city, see page 237. (Note: A dash in the moon-

rise/moonset columns indicates that rise or set times occur on or after midnight and are recorded on the nextHi

to

Use

Correction minutes

7 A i 3 N D A is

BNE le storey aves'e= are!wale) 89) 0 TES td nicase ale poeeins wars +1 mr A ee eattin np mo siriasih atin +2 ENO re eigien a ty ere es +3 Gisele fives aisince ire the) alcls +4 1g wilieinby =aisse,o(s18©xs +5 De eh DM cared wie aiaial'e Seo, 9.ee +6 EX

AMPLE

@ To determine the time of moonrise in

Lansing, Michigan: Moonrise, Boston, with Key Letter D (p. 108) Value of Key Letter D for Lansing (p. 239)

9:55 a.m. EST + 54 minutes

Correction for Lansing longitude, 84°33' Moonrise, Lansing

+

1 minute

10:50 a.m. EST

Use the same procedure to determine the time of moonset. The Moon’s Place is its astronomical

placement in the heavens. (This should not be confused with the Moon’s astrological place in the zodiac, as explained on page 230.) All calculations in this Almanac are

based on astronomy, not astrology, except for the information on pages 230-232. In addition to the 12 constellations of the zodiac, this column may indicate others: Auriga (AUR), a northern constellation between Perseus and Gemini; Cetus (CET),

which lies south of the zodiac, just south of Pisces and Aries; Ophiuchus (OPH), a con-

stellation primarily north of the zodiac but with a small corner between Scorpius and Sagittarius; Orion (ORI), a constellation whose northern limit first reaches the zodiac

between Taurus and Gemini; and Sextans

Krommes ~Beth

(SEX), which lies south of the zodiac except

np

for a corner that just touches it near Leo.

Get these times already calculated for your zip code at MyLocalAlmanac.com.

2009

The last column gives the Moon’s Age, which is the number of days since the previous new Moon. (The average length of the lunar month is 29.53 days.) (continued)

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

109

How

to Use

‘TheRRight-Hand Calendar I ages A

SAMPLE

MON

TH

@ Weather prediction rhyme. @ The bold letter is the Dominical Letter (from A to G), a traditional ecclesiastical designation

for Sunday determined by the date on which the first Sunday falls. For 2009, the Dominical ee) pi ia © Letter is D.

@ Sundays and special holy days.

ON Hiecden toca 2 | Fr. SSC ©Ceo. ©Winsor boon1831©Tides {e pittering

Sa.

47D

ifyouwill have a goodcheese and hay’n old. 9:2 Youmusttura'nseventimes beforeheiscold. * Dae Teacher Louis

© tee * © remnerion * geaitlebom,igog

“TW.

maneeene™#(39 snow

‘Distaff Day »

7 made a successfai Cine Hie o* bultveyor landing ontheMoon, 1968Seg

_ but

95 _ 3m

Masterpiece

it’s FalOC fae # debuedonTV15) 1971 ri # Tides{135 29 Two-day blizzard rs Ls S. at.€p. eOstare began in Midwest, 1918 /7elting.

@ Symbols for notable celestial

% a6

events. (See opposite page for explanations.)

Charleston Museum,

ae

si

42:0

eT

:

o Tides {ae

@ Noteworthy historical events, folklore, and legends.

CEOS HC « Hlzabett of England

@ Civil holidays and astronomical

Benjamin Franklin . a

major feast that the church has this year temporarily transferred to a date other than its usual one. This is to avoid con-

_elting,

Basctallallotfame, i992°{'

A gentleman without an estate is like a pudding without suet.

@ High tide heights, in feet, at Boston.

@ Religious feasts. AT indicates a

Sunshine

Library book returned, with check 5 |M. Twelfth Nigh ©for47t years' worth oflatefees, 2007 Slittering; 6 (Tu, Epiphany»

@ Proverbs, poems, and adages.

events.

d an

crowned, 1559

10.5

@ Tides { 10.7

U.S. Prohibition wentintoeffect, 1920« Tides{ 12:3 ie

A

thaw

like you never

= Tides ‘tee camel

Sie aE Ep. SOD « Lhovtee roca, Flakes Jr.’Birthday observe)9 eset rman _ Sporadic,

satelines afleatngTV.rae.maphones,19ou. COUd,

at

flict with Sundays, Holy Week, Easter Week, and other observances that take precedence.

“Overthe Rainbow.” byArlen Harburg, copyrighted, 1939 o Tides{75

“emphatic:

tuesCi «ih Soars

My, but

SU Giertoi are 1986 | this Seb B.af.Ep. » Sparewellandhavewel winter : fia

«Review New @=Feime

oC

creme

Predicting Earthquakes

M@ Note the dates in the Right-Hand Calendar Pages when the Moon rides high or runs low. The date of the high begins the most likely five-day period of earthquakes in the Northern Hemisphere; the date of the low indicates a similar five-day period in the Southern Hemisphere. Also noted are the two days each month when the Moon is on the celes-

110

tial equator, indicating the most likely time for earthquakes in either hemisphere.

Get customized data at MyLocalAlmanac.com.

2009

How

@ Throughout the Right-Hand Calendar Pages are groups of symbols that represent notable celestial events. The symbols and names of the principal planets and aspects are: © O@C

Sun Moon

WV Neptune P Pluto

Mercury

4 Conjunction (on the

Venus Earth Mars

to

Use

EXAMPLE =

dh€ on the 15th day of the month (see opposite page) means that on that date a conjunction (d) of Saturn (h) and the Moon (C) occurs: They are aligned along the same celestial longitude and appear to be closest together in the sky.

DA

same celestial longitude)

EARTH AT PERIHELION AND APHELION

8 Ascending node

@ Perihelion: January 4, 2009. Earth

Jupiter

@% Descending node

Saturn

—-&_ Opposition (180 de-

will be 91,400,936 miles from the Sun. Aphelion: July 3, 2009. Earth will be - 94,505,009 miles from the Sun.

Uranus grees from Sun) osvrPAasdwon 2009 Calendar Highlights

Septuagesima Sunday Shrove uesdays cs cst. sss Ash Wednesdays. na... ceees os PAlRIASOUGAY |. kane hy cteioe eau are First day of Passover GOOG RIGAY cca sievarsvenctonsiavsia pP

44 42 40 38

1 2 3 4 53 64 73 83 9

Ww SO

34 33 30 29

.| 6:48 -| 6:49

S

.| 6:50 | 6:51

wr Ro ae

nie

&

.| 6:52 MMM eee ee eee ee eee eS mMboOeP ee

weocoooouownonononowmnowmowwnownowonwnownowowWwww eererrr reer rere eee Ss sss p np nie MMM non ee OA OS OO Re eer Um eee hhh Ph OOO Perr er reee FOOD wO

To use this page, see p. 108.

tc Bold=p.m.

c& Light=A.M.

2009

NOVEM

The soft wind and the yellow leaves Are having their last dance together. Harriet Eleanor Hami lton-King Dates, Feasts, Fasts, Aspects, Tide Heights

_| All Saints’ # Sadie Hawkins Day e SOC e Tides {$3 Rain Daylight Saving Row © ( Apo.e West. descends Time ends, 2:00 a.m. ® T

Poet and outlaw Black Bart's

like

All Souls” « $2. © jase robbery, Calif., 1883 Election

ection

D:

T. S. Eliot won Nobel

{ 8.2

curtains

Day ® prize for literature, 1948 © \ 9.1 78-mph winds, Block |

Car $e jejand, RI, 1894

.

8.1

® Tides | g/g

, |OCCN. U C @ The novelty of noon is out of date by night.

Alexander Mackenzie became the 8.5 3° Tides { second prime minister of Canada, 187 9.0

at e d 6 CG e Black bears head to winter dens now. T. Roosevelt first to travel out-

26th . at. P. © side U.S. while president, 1906 —

up

, | Choice food and costly fare do make the back gobare.

St. Martin of Tours e Veterans Day e Tides HA Ort nunkRwne Se

10.8 10.0

north,

Indian 11.4 e Lobsters move to offshore waters. @ { Summer 10.2

Pull: ©) & Sammy Davis Jr. married May Britt, 1960

— Wd 14 15

16

.

Louiss Timothée became first AEE i { 12.0 PERIG. ® salaried librarian in “U.S.,” 1732 10.3 Cc pipes . Sadie Hawkins Day debuted in Al {12.0 HIGH ® Capp’s Li’! Abner comic strip, 1937 ® 1 —

27th S. af. 2p. e Crab apples are ripe now. e {ie

17| M. | St. Hugh of Lincoln © Queen Mary Idied, 1558 18

19 20

I‘ce in November b OF ¢cds S © Brings mud in December. ° {10.8 Leonard Bernstein named music 5 9.5

director of N'Y. Philharmonic, 1957 © Ties {19'3 Fire destroyed most of business | 9.4 district in Oceana, W.Va., 1907 © Tides {9°3

closing a show: There’s snow

but the south gets a

hosing! . Sunbeams

on football

Farmer’s Calendar HM Weather signs needn’t be folklore: They can appear in modern dress. Years ago, on first moving to the Vermont foothills from farther south, and knowing little of serious winter weather, I

took note of the effort made in the fall by the road crew in my town to mark the local culverts and smaller bridges. They planted slender sapling poles where a stream or drainage cut passed under a roadway. Evidently the poles were for the benefit of the snowplows. They warned the drivers to avoid the culverts when clearing the roads of snow. Very well. But why, I asked myself, did the marker poles have to be nine feet tall? When the first winter storm arrived that year—and then the second, and the third—when

ramparts of plowed snow reared beside the roads and only the top foot of the marker poles showed above them, I found I had dis-

covered a very plausible weather predictor of a particular kind. We 21 Ra od hc e Skunks hibernate now. e ae teams; are told to observe how deeply Storm began that left 56" of ‘ 9.7 22 snow in Randolph, N.H., 1943 ®Tides {9.3 losers, chipmunks bury the nuts they 23) E |28th &. af. 3. « LIFE debuted, 1936e{ $7 — winners gather in the fall as a clue to the First transcontinental flight by a . 10.0 severity of the winter to come. 24| M. | woman began, Mineola, N.Y., 1930 © Tides {'5 shovel Deeply buried nuts mean a cold 25\Tu. 8 IN SUP. d e Aman must lose a feather to win a goose. out, winter. In the same spirit, I have First major football game played in- | _. 10.2 learned to notice the length of the 26} W. doors, Chicago Coliseum, Ill., 1896 ® Tides | “9.9 then poles that the town cuts each year 27\Th. ee 194oe New © ° 6 STAT. @ Tides {shovel anff Hot Springs Reserve (later, 10.1 * to mark the culverts. If those 28| Fr. |Banff National Park), Alta,, est., 1885 © M4 | g/g mn poles are five feet long, I await 29|Sa.| Chow eC Abo, © Writer C. S. Lewis born, 1898 turkey the winter without anxiety. Poles 8.7 C 30| E |ist S. of Advent +592 © tites {$3 dinners! over seven feet long, however, are cause for alarm. You can't have everything. Where would you put it? —Steven Wright

2009

Listen to the Farmer’s Calendar at Almanac.com.

113

op b> oP lw 4

DECEMBER Tuc

TWELFTH

MONTH

oo «=

2008

SKY WATCH 3° The year’s most striking conjunction blazes on the Ist an hour after sunset, as Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon form a brilliant triangle, 15 degrees high, in the southwest. The two planets stay reasonably close together for a few more nights. The Geminid meteors on the 13th are washed out by an exceptionally high, bright, and large Moon: The year’s closest lunar approach happens five hours before the full Moon, on the 12th. Expect unusually strong tides. Meanwhile, Saturn starts to rise before midnight beginning at midmonth. The Ringed World hovers next to the Moon from midnight to dawn on the night of the 18th-19th. Winter begins with the solstice on the 21st at 7:04 A.M. oi pole Pe)

First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter

@eoe New Moon

Sth day 12th day

16th hour 11th hour

26th minute 37th minute

19th day

5th hour

29th minute

27th day

7th hour

22nd minute

All times are given in Eastern Standard Time. Confused? Get these times already calculated for your zip code at ae

com.

Se ee ee Te ee

> rrrrrrerer ree ee PP eowcoooonuvnrnrnorwmnocnonononmoononononmowowowowow HOODOO hth rr err DOO rMMM rrr Ook mb em OM AM MOO OM ROM MOM MMe To use this page, see p. 108.

t= Bold=p.m.

o& aa = A.M.

DECEMBER

Then, heigh-ho, the holly! ani veis most jolly! —witiam Shakespeare of DayMonth

_ |St. Andrew’ « $2 « ocew. PC « Tides {$8 Shopping Environmental Protection ® Agency established, 1970 Tid Final run of luxury train 20th

_| St. Viviana e (( ar

|bUCe

leaves

{Gacpohisas 8.5

Century Limited finished, 1967 ® *°°S p

Temperature dropped 34 degrees in

sopping. White wool dropping; bundle

+] 20 minutes, Livingston, Mont., 1972 ® Tides {9.2

dd © . American League for Physical s { 8.7 Culture formed, 1929 9.0

.| St. Nicholas « (

Tides BQ.° d6G @

Day Rovenmeance Day 2nd. of Advent © Remembrance 9.8

_ | U.S. declared war on Japan, 1941 @ Tides {9.1 Football's Bob Waterfield made re won womrnantf «| five field goals in one game, 1951

® Tides

ever No sroudiaks 2 St Malalis's falls in the wrong place.

— —_-— ©

10.4 9.3

e Tides {:

.| Winterberry fruits especially showy now. @ {

1.0 9.6

11.5 98

|Our LadyofGuadalupe © CoigO# C fino. {f0%0

up tight! You'll need

RIDES § Dartmouth College char-

St. Lucia ¢ © fick © tered, Hanover, N-H., 1769

a

3rv &. of Advent © Halcyon Days Tides {1! Cc rr28

Groundbreaking ceremonies for Jeffer-

5

* son Memorial, Washington, D.C., 1938 ,| Mag. ~8.1 earthquake in northeast Ark., 1811 @ { 10.1 11.4

plece or

First rendezvous of two manned spaceEmber Day e craft, Gemini 6 and Gemini 7, 1965 panda Basi’s 25th birth| Ceo.edhCe ® Giant day celebration, China, re

lots 9.9 10.1

:

May you have warmth in your igloo, oil | Ember Day e in ; your lamp, and peace in your ea

when

Winer « Tides {$6

_| StThomas”«FirstdayofChanukah e SP « {25 8-yr.-old Richard Knecht set world record @ Tides +| for consecutive sit-ups at 25,222, 1972

oY6

84

Frontiersman Kit Carson born, 1809 e Tides fe 84 At Christmas meadows green, covered with aa

.| Christmas Bap« Bygt

_| St.Stephene (RWS ©C Aho. SUG «{32 Architect Gustave

.| St John « New @ © Fitiet died, 1923

"10, 0

Tides

8.6

Ist S. af. Ch. ©SOC « Tides {10°

_ |Holy Innocents' Islamie NewYeare SUG « {,87 U.S. and Mexico signed the

of fleece

|Ember Day e Beware the Pogonip. e Tides ibe 95

4th S. of Advent

fur

8.8

Car Qe Gadsden Purchase Treaty, 1853 ® { 9.9

MtSylve«ster SOY eSUGod OCGeo{$8

looking at

the holiday lights! Pour the wine:

Here’s cheers to ’09!

Farmer’s Calendar @ Old garden plans afford a unique view of their subject, which is not only a patch of earth but also the history of an indi-

vidual’s effort to make it fruitful.

I have garden plans going back to 1978. Originally, drawing them let me avoid planting the same crop in the same place on our small vegetable plot in successive years. So much for the plans’ utility, but by now they also have an archaeological interest. I get them out from time to time and study them for what they show of a garden—and a gardener—that is past. I find our gardens to have had a rhythmic base of reliable vegetables that recur regularly, and a treble line of more exotic fare that comes and goes. Peas, beans, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkins, and marigolds are constants over 30 years, while potatoes, melons,

lettuces, and others come in,

linger, depart, and reappear in a more complex figure. The plans show the composition of the garden, but they also show its success and failure. It all comes back: the year slugs ate the beans (1988); the unexpected bumper crop of fennel (1990: How much fennel do you need, really?). Especially in the deep winter, when the garden seems so remote, these fading documents give pleasure. And they’re so easy to make. Let us omit the tiresome work with spade and hoe and become planners only.

Listen to the Farmer’s Calendar at Almanac.com.

115

DA

——

JAN

UARY

=

THe First MONTH + 2009

SKY WATCH 3° The year begins with afinal glimpse of Jupiter, hovering at 40 minutes after sunset in the southwest, to the right of Mercury and just 8 degrees high. Also on the Ist, Venus blazes much higher up, with the crescent Moon higher still. Each successive evening until the 8th, Mercury ascends higher while Jupiter sinks from view. Saturn, in Leo, rises at around 9:30 P.M. at midmonth. Venus stands just to the right of Uranus on the 22nd and 23rd, above the Moon on the 29th, and below the Moon on the 30th. Mercury might be glimpsed very low in the east 40 minutes before sunrise from the 29th to the 31st. Earth reaches perihelion, its annual position closest to the Sun, on the 4th. poe ©a

©

First Quarter

O ® @

Full Moon Last Quarter New Moon

Ath day

10th 17th 26th _All times are

a

day day day

6th hour

56th minute

22nd hour 21st hour 2nd hour

27th minute 46th minute 55th minute

given in Eastern Standard Time.

Confused? Get these times already calculated for your zip code atMyLocalAlmanac.com. Rises Ss h. m. h. EE

IA3 aly RLS .| 7:13 Tel a eyENS: eels aed AS TELS. a PSD, ae 7t2 Tale etic | Feld Oey al fart

omEB

m.

4:22 4:23 4:24 4:25 4:26 4:27 4:28 4:29 4:30 4:31 4:32 4:33 4:34 4:36 4:37

of Day

hm. Se

[A 9 09} 12 10 | 12

le akO Blageo

4:38 4:39

Ww oS

7:09 7:08 Oa. 7:07 7:06 7:05 7:04 7:04 aed Oo: {07:02

4:40

31

.| Mage .| .| | .|

Bl

OL .| 7:00 6:59

28

4:42 4:43 4:44 4:45 4:47

4:48 4:49

4:50 4:52 4:53 4:54 4:56 wO eee ee SESE SSS TSS Derr eee wee BOOM MOO 4:57 COOOUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWOWW Owrvo Cc 0 ~1~1~1 DA NVMwMWwWWWwWHHKHHPUNA SOB HOSS DMOU hehe eee HPOOCUHe eo

To use this page, see p. 108.

os Bold = p.m.

Each age has deemed the new-born year The fittest time for festal cheer. Sir Waiter Scou sé sBi Day

Dates, Feasts, Fasts, Aspects, Tide Heights

Raindrops

New Year’s Day e Holy Name e h STAT. @ { ae db@

eC

ON

Historian Justin

,

EQ. ® Winsor born, 1831 ° M4¢S

Ifyou will have a good cheese and hav'n old, You must turn’n seven times before he is cold.

9.1

“{

s

é

{93 © plttering 9.2 and 9.1

Farmer’s Calendar @ Every winter when snow arrives, I must learn to drive again. I think I’m not alone. Police and highway departments in this season continually warn drivers to increase their distance from other vehicles, to avoid sudden stops,

and so on. Their advice is widely of course. Each year, the Twelfth Night © styear"worthoflatefees,2007 littering; ignored, first snow populates the roadside ditches with motorists whose 2°{ ll Distaff Day © paseballTla ofFame,199 88 Pelting, reeducation in the special discipline of winter driving happened but A gentleman without an estate is like a pudding without suet. very quickly. re wnN nt a Woon Driving in snow and ice differs empirically from fair-weather driving. A different set of relst S. af. Ep. « Q stare on Midwest, i9ig melting. { 12.0 The Charleston Museum, Plough A sponses to a different set of stimoraie S.C., organized, 1773 Monday uli are involved. Ordinarily, we St. Hilary © VP Hubert Humphrey died, 1978 @ Tides {}{'3 thaw experience the world through our : Burlington, Vt., received 23.1" e Tides {10 6 Q GR. ELONG. eyes, ears, noses, tongues, and like 1 13 . (47° EAST) ® of snow in 24 hours, 1934 Elizabeth I of England skin. In winter driving, four of e Tides you Cio.e DRC» crowned, 1559 the five senses go by the board. U.S. Prohibition went into effect, 1920 e Tides {s0.3 never 9.9 We know the road through the Benjamin Franklin _ Thomas Lincoln, father Tides { re saw! seat of our pants, through our grip ® of Abe, died, 1851 «| born, 1706 Yellowknife became on the wheel, and we respond Flakes 2nv S. at. Ep. e SY « capital of N.W.T., 1967 with our feet on brakes and accelMartin Luther King e Necessity breaks iron sporadic, erator as we feel the vehicle slip, Jr.’s Birthday (observed) Solar activity knocked out two Canadian AT cold, recover, slip again. INF. 3 3: satellites, affecting TV, radio, and phones, 1994 Song “Over the Rainbow,” by Arlen Tides Our winter driving senses, emphatic: and Harburg, copyrighted, 1939 ° *10°S once they become established, are r RUNS AT Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In St. Vineent © ( Tow © C Ato. made its TV debut, 1968 My, no less precise than our more Deadliest earthquake on record 9.5 of ACE To} 69 ® killed 830,000 in China, 1556 ® \ 8.2 but practiced senses, but somehow they seem more primitive. It’s as d YU @®e. ol.

Mathematician Gaspard a {10.6

Hurricanes will also be

;

AT

Inventor Cyrus Hall

yard.

th

10.0

but

The problem was that the whips rose from a dense growth of wild blackberries. These berries produce the most lethal

no —

thorns that I have ever seen. Their barbedoutcanes seem actually to and attack you. I sailied

Afo. ® McCormick died, 18g4 @ Saints e {1,3 rumbling,

16

Explorer Bartholomew Gosnold arrived

It’s | chopped mightily, and then re-

18| M.| Victoria Day (Canada) o § inivr. gf « Tides {$7 ON

Astronaut Francis

94 00 | +9 find several seedlings still wav-

, |A snowstorm in May is worth a wagonload of hay. e { 98

21|Th.| Ascension «dS C + dQC e Tides {137 2

Artist Mary

sa

litey tot

10.9

26

St. Bede « Memorial Day o

(observed)

AT

(RIDES ,

Circ’

Archaeological Institute of

*

ai

12,9

PERIG. ® America incorporated, 1906 ® aw 10.1

every

scratches,

as

turned to the brake to cut the re-

maining whips. I couldn’t do it. stem. I couldn’t cut the last whip.

orchard | Mysteriously, there was no last

_| Orthodox Ascension « ( ar 25 @ Tides {1); Steve Fonyo completed cross-Canada Shavuot « uvSTAT. @ marathon for cancer research, 1985 Bandleader Benny ‘ 10.8

2009

a hundred

but | There was always another uncut

| Every bird likes his own nest best. @ Tides {ne

_| Bstat. © Goodman born, 1909 © Tes {19.9 Whit S. « Pentecost « £0.°ShC

Heated, raked, and bleeding

A| though I had lost a ten-rounder little | with a litter of tiger cubs, I re-

SUY —_ gloomier, is

ing at me from the armed heart of

* | from

23|Sa.| 4"10.6" snow, eastern Iowa, 1882 « Tides {11°4 Ist B. af. Ase. «New @ o Tides {75 24 !

fine

to | the patch.

« Writer Sir Arthur Conan | { OSC

+ | Cassatt born, 1844 ~ Doyle born, 1859

treated to survey my work—only

8.9

19|Tu.| St. Dunstan © € 29.¢ SOC © R’Scobee born, 1939 20

reach

grumbling: | into the thicket with my loppers,

RogationS. « SUC e SUC « star

17

{9.4

© at what is now Cape Cod, Mass., 1602 ® 1 8.5 9°5 es 3-day visit to Canada, 1961 @ Tides | 9.2

_ |JFK

little buggy-

‘

i

,| One keep-clean is better than ten make-cleans. @ {oe Cc ae Q

These were

€ | a pair of loppers and they were

Thunder

{ 9.0

*

on

hatches! | down.

oe 10.2

named after men, 1978 © Chilly

|SRC

up

down | were big around as your thumb. They easy to remove: One snap of

9.4

EU ®Monge born, 1746

RONS @ Cranberries in bud now. e Three e

owing

batten | whip things, 8 or 9 feet tall and as

Ce {6 9|Sa,| St. Gregory of Nazianmus » Yesak e¥2" os 5

le, and che

P : a green bank behind our back-

mn

, St. Julian of Norwich ¢ S5' vp.5008, * {10 8| Fr|

10

ma

.

oftheWilderness, friendly eae Va., 1864 an amsant ccs svcfire, Battle

6 i

and| ‘ticks ofperception—almost like ; an illusionist’s tricks—that the

: IS °

looking

bloomier!

whip. My overgrown briar patch was a magician’s top hat, from which the conjurer can always extract another rabbit.

Listen to the Farmer’s Calendar at Almanac.com.

125

THe SIXTH MONTH + 2009 SKY WATCH ee Venus reaches its greatest elongation and appears 46 deghhs to theage ofthe rising Sun in the predawn sky on the Sth. The planet loses nearly halfits brilliance this month, fading from—4.7 to a “merely brilliant” magnitude —4.2. It sidles close to Mars as the two cross into Aries and spend the month together in the east an hour before dawn. On the 19th, the pair, Earth's two closest neighbors, hover beneath the crescent Moon. Saturn remains nicely up until midnight. On the 23rd, Pluto reaches opposition. After angling from Serpens through Ophiuchus during the past year, it has entered Sagittarius, its new home until the year 2025. Summer begins with the solstice on the 21st, at 1:46 A.M. Full Moon Last Quarter New Moon First Quarter S@e0

pop el oa

7th 15th 22nd 29th

day day day day

14th 18th 15th 7th

hour hour hour hour

12th 15th 35th 28th

minute minute minute minute

All times are given in Eastern Daylight Time. Confused? Get these times already calculated for your zip code at MyLocalAlmanac.com.

~I a

BE bpFP Oo © SK BW NIP

ee eT hb Nn Bw FIP

Se ESrlrttts—“SsSsF( !mlhlC ell I ww

Through all the long midsummer day, The meadow-sides are sweet with hay. —John Townsend Trowbridge of DayMonth

] Z

3

Farmer’s Calendar @ From atop a low rock in the Dates, Feasts, Fasts, Aspects, Tide Heights | weather| shallows, a great blue heron presides over a woodland pond. With RUNS Anne Frank’s last 3 % _ |Lammas Day e ( Riy e didey enbayr19das'® Tides {96 If its neck extended and its long legs ae Liincoln ‘I cent replace! laced straight, it’s the height of a OthSs. af. Pp. °dPC ® Indian Head cent, 1909 you re schoolboy, and its wings span AT Tom Yawkey inducted into National 8.4 ps APO. ® Baseball Hall of Fame, 1980 gg Aiking nearly 6 feet. This is one of the aT 44 e Gray y squirrels have second litters now. @ ee in . Sq 10.0 largest common birds in North Full

:

118°F, Ice Harbor

8.9

5

- |Sturgeon © «Eclipse €« Dam, Wash., 1961 ® {10.1

6

_| Transfiguration e 2G « SWC «Tides {=

7 8

America, and about the largest

the

inland bird in New England. Its size is accentuated by its ungainliness; the blue heron is the Abe Lincoln of birds. Its legs seem too long for its body, its neck like-

hills,

Service began at first deaf church in U.S., St... f 10.1 Ann’s Church for Deaf Mutes, N.Y.C., 1859 ® ides 9.3 be . ae on . U.S. patent #1,000,000 issued ° St. Domini¢ « ¢ EQ. ® for an improved vehicle tire, 1911 ready As August,

.

10th S. at. Pp. 2 efor ® so the next February. Yuri Malenchenko in space married

for 9.7

10] M.| St Lawrence » EySterina Dmitriev on Earth, 2003 © {9g 11

12

St. Clare ¢ Dog Days end. e Tides {ae Space shuttle Enterprise completed | _.

its first free-flight test, 1977

meteoric


old

story:

,

Soon h

ice sculptures: Some part of their charm, some part of the fun of making them, is in their short date. We like it that, inevitably,

those ranks of wood, dressed and enous", | trigged out with such attention, the | come

storm!

down

> to a few bushels of

gray ash.

Listen to the Farmer’s Calendar at Almanac.com.

135

ol el a lw

NOVEMBER THE

ELEVENTH

- 2009

MONTH

SKY WATCH +x On the Ist, Mars, now bright at magnitude 0.4, is in the Beehive star cluster in Cancer and pops above the eastern horizon at around 11:00 p.m. The Moon joins Mars on the 8th and Jupiter on the 23rd. On the 30th, Mars finally cracks magnitude zero, Joining the ranks of the five brightest sky objects. By the end of the month, Jupiter, in the opposite part of the sky, is highest at nightfall and sets by 10:00 p.m. Venus closes out the month very low in the predawn east and has faded to magnitude —3.9; its show is over until it returns as a conspicuous evening star next April. Saturn, ensconced in Virgo, its new home for the next three years, is back and nicely high for early risers. Full Moon

Arowzmrroao Last Quarter

New Moon

First Quarter C@o0O

2nd day 9th day

14th hour 10th hour

14th minute 56th minute

16th day

14th hour

14th minute

24th day

16th hour

39th minute

After 2:00 4.m. on November 1, Eastern Standard Time is given. Confused? Get these times already calculated for your zip code at MyLocalAlmanac.com. Times Boston

93/10 102 10;3

mM mr aon IO Mh UU rrrwWr hr rrr ODO hr rr he To use this page, see p. 108.

t= Bold = p.m.

PWBMPONTO Kh MOM MOM MMO lnner DU MM ammamol mommy mn FCNOOtB

se Light = a.m.

2009

NOVEM™MBER

It’s autumn, autumn, autumn late, Twill soon be winter now. -william

Farmer’s Calendar Alii

:

eee

@ Indian summer, formerly an anomalous few days of improbably warm, sunny weather fitted in First | between late autumn and the on-

Hl Dates, Feasts, Fasts, Aspects, Tide Heights il Daylight Saving a 96 | T4€S © a.m. 2:00 ends, Time © All Saints’

:

3 4

5 6 7

8 9 10

11 i

13

All Souls’ « Foe O 0 pone emanei @ Tides {10-7 it’s | Set of winter, seems recently to be Election

D:

Dog launched into space on

{11.0

1

STAT. ® Smith College, Northampton, Mass., 1909

NPR announced largest donation in | 7.4.. { ob = Hawkins Day

ss

eee

ne it’s , | colors glow, then fade—but the

owing!

its history, about3 Gar $200 million, 11.2 Sadie 9 0 C 2003 Soya, 0 Boxer Gene

leaves don’t fall, or not all of

; them. Instead, a rear guard of ‘,

Tunney died, 1978

turned leaves decks the woods

k 4 : : the bright : not with pause, | and roadsides, 231M. al. P. © fy winter densow.* (108 SC « Aithitect Stanford , AstronomerCarl , {93. then scarlets and lemons of October,

a 5 -eeeeaee eran

deem

, |November takeflail / Letships no moresail.

St. Martin of Tours Veterans Day # (( 29.

ae

ee

Bee

Ses

en.

Montgo

as

ee,

ca)

ntreal,

First cabooseless Canadian Pacific train left

Skylab 4 launched from

ce

9.8

+

On such a day last year, the

dogs and I took a walk along the

forest road near our place. The

® TV's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, 1999

20

Skunks hibernate now.©F; Time 2nd S. of Advent °

6

St. Ambrose

© Remembrance Day °

Sop

Tid

7

«|

8

. Cc £0. e Winterberry fruits especially showy now.

9

oe

Nat’! Pearl Harbor

oo

.

St. Bulalia

dhe > Duke Ellington recorded .

“Mood Indigo,” 1930

kaos

fleeting! Watch 10.0

9.4

First public demonstration in U.S. of 0.2 colored moving pictures, N.Y.C., 1909 ® eae i 92

11

12| Sa.|Our Lady of Guadalupe e First day of Chanukah» {"23

for

§ leetimg,

gaia th sted th or years ave resiste e

y

:

iron helper requiring thoughtful purchase, intelligent Cale; frequent repair, and, soon

enough,

costly replacement. Need I add : ; this one more tothe automobiles,

gyen | Mowers, chainsaws, and string trimmers that currently serve, and

ete ea 10d 3rn S. of Bobent : ° eLucia e Tides | 99

5 rime. | are served by,te me? I have re-

Halcyon Days @ porncat patented, 1973 ® Tides {19 Rot @ Venera 7 landed on Venus, 1970 e Tides

Jy

step. Another machine, I have 1S | thought, another engine, another

{9.9

Actress Dame Judi Dench born, 1934 e Tides {aS

10

the bending over, but in the

ij straightening up again; and I reh throug call that this was the year in which

crew of shipwrecked tanker Kyzikes

PERIG. ® rescued, a

back to

Snow | solved against it, but as the years

a

turns

7.1 earthquake, Fair10.5 . Ember Day e New @ ® view Peak, Nev., 1954 ° 1 9.0 rainy, One can not help many, 10.4 .| Beware the Pogonip. e but many can help one. e{ then Ember _ Islamic GR. ELONG. . sunshine! ® New Year ® C AT Qe 8 (20° EAST) . Day Walter Williams, last known 8.9 :

advance, resolve softens.

Handy outfit, the snowblower.

Invented in 1925 by a man in Quebec, it uses a pumplike system of impellers to break up the snow and force it through its stack Ember Day @ Cyvit War vet, died, 1959 ® {19.1 Christmas and out of its path. You don’t lift 4th S. of Advent+C tro. SUV {35 will or heave, you don’t bend—you " St.Thomas © inter 6 SUC oS UC eCsmre {$8 be don’t unbend. You merely saunter along behind the machine and No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. whi ; Me a 4, | watch the snow fly harmlessly, ON re 6 . Jeanne Sauvé appointed governor- o 8.8 ; ; in BQ: © general of Canada, 1983 s9 We | conveniently into another jurisReginald Fessenden transmitted the first radio . SRO ® broadcast, from Brant Rock, Mass., 1906 ken; A As many mince pies as you taste at Christ: Christmas « mas, so many happy months will you have. SINS

St. Stephen e fonosie Day oppoate ty Sstar.e Chemist Louis lstS. af.Ch.

° 59

e 9.6

e Pasteur born, 1822 e {8.4

of . silent

John Calhoun became first U.S. 10.0 . HolyInnocents © vice president to resign, 1832 BSG nights 1 . American Meteorological | . . 10.5

St. Joh©society founded, 1919 30 W.

RIDES | He who would know what shall : ¢ HIGH ® be, must consider what has been. ® Tides

31 | Th.| St. Sylvester

2009

* T4*S | 9.9

and

11.0 k

Full Long Nights (2) e Eclipse (( « {ie

‘ then;

icti diction.

Well, maybe snowblowing isn’t always quite that easy, but | these rigs must have something going for them. In my town, following a storm, the village re-

sembles a calm sea on which frolic a pod of whales, playfully spouting their jets of white spray high into the air on every hand.

2010! Listen to the Farmer’s Calendar at Almanac.com.

139

wo Pe op ds

@ Many readers have expressed puzzlement over the rather obscure notations that appear on our Right-Hand Calendar Pages, 113-139. These “oddities” have long been fixtures in the Almanac, and we are pleased to provide some definitions. (Once explained, they may not seem so odd after all!) used for holding the flax or wool in spinning. (Hence the term “distaff” refers to women’s work or the maternal side of the family.) Plough Monday (January): Traditionally, the first Monday after Epiphany was called Plough Monday because it was the day that men returned to their plough, or daily work, following the Christmas holiday. (Every few years, Plough Monday

ane

and Distaff Day fall on the same day.) It

Krommes -Beth

Ember Days: The four periods formerly observed by the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches for prayer, fasting, and the ordination of clergy are called Ember Days. Specifically, these are the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays that follow in succession following (1) the First Sunday in Lent; (2) Whitsunday—Pentecost;

(3) the Feast of the Holy Cross, September 14; and (4) the Feast of St. Lucia, De-

cember 13. The word ember is perhaps a corruption of the Latin guatuor tempora, “four times.” Folklore has it that the weather on each of the three days foretells the weather for the next three months; that is, for September’s Ember Days, Wednesday forecasts the weather for October, Friday for November, and Saturday for December. Distaff Day (January 7): This was the first day after Epiphany (January 6), when women were expected to return to

their spinning following the Christmas holiday. A distaff is the staff that women 140

was customary at this time for farm laborers to draw a plough through the village, soliciting money for a “plough light,” which was kept burning in the parish church all year. One proverb notes that “Yule is come and Yule is gone, and we have feasted well; so Jack must to his flail again and Jenny to her wheel.” Three Chilly Saints (May): Mamertus,

Pancras, and Gervais were three early Christian saints. Because their feast days, on May 11, 12, and 13, respectively, are

traditionally cold, they have come to be known as the Three Chilly Saints. An old French saying translates to: “St. Mamertus, St. Pancras, and St. Gervais do not

pass without a frost.” Midsummer Day (June 24): To the farmer, this day is the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvest. (Midsummer Eve is an occasion for festivity and celebrates fertility.) The Anglican church considered it a “Quarter Day,” one of the four major divi-

Love calendar lore? Find more at Almanac.com.

2009

.. of the liturgical year. It also marks the feast day of St. John the Baptist. Cornscateous Air (July): First used by early almanac makers, this term signi-

fies warm, damp air. Though it signals ideal climatic conditions for growing corn, it poses a danger to those affected by asthma and other respiratory problems. Dog Days (July 3-August 11): These are the hottest and most unhealthy days of the year. Also known as Canicular Days, their name derives from the Dog Star, Sir-

ius. The traditional 40-day period of Dog Days coincides with the heliacal (at sunrise) rising of Sirius. Lammas Day (August 1): Derived from the Old English hlaf maesse, meaning “loaf mass,” Lammas Day marked

the beginning of the harvest. Traditionally, loaves of bread were baked from the first-ripened grain and brought to the churches to be consecrated. Eventually, “loaf mass” became “Lammas.” In Scot-

took place around the autumnal equinox. Certain groups in this country, particularly the Pennsylvania Dutch, have kept the tradition alive. St. Luke’s Little Summer (October):

A spell of warm weather that occurs about the time of the saint’s feast day, October 18, this period is sometimes referred to as Indian summer. Indian Summer (November): A period of warm weather following a cold spell or a hard frost, Indian summer can occur between St. Martin’s Day (November 11) and November 20. Although there are differing dates for its occurrence, for more than 200 years the Almanac has adhered to the saying “If All Saints’ brings out winter, St. Martin’s brings out Indian summer.” Some say that the term comes from the early Native Americans, who believed that the condition was caused by a warm wind sent from the court of their southwestern

land, Lammastide fairs became famous

god, Cautantowwit.

as the time when trial marriages could be made. These marriages could end after a year with no strings attached.

Halcyon Days (December): About two weeks of calm weather often follow the blustery winds of autumn’s end. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed these occurred around the time of the winter solstice, when the halcyon, or kingfisher, was brooding. In a nest floating on the sea, the bird was said to have charmed the wind and waves so that the waters were especially calm during this period.

Cat Nights Begin (August 17): This term harks back to the days when people believed in witches. An Irish legend says that a witch could turn into a cat and regain

herself eight times, but on the ninth time, August 17, she couldn’t change back, hence the saying: “A cat has nine lives.” Because August is a “yowly” time for cats, this may have initially prompted the speculation about witches on the prowl. Harvest Home (September): In Europe and Britain, the conclusion of the harvest each autumn was once marked by festivals of fun, feasting, and thanksgiving known as “Harvest Home.” It was also a time to hold elections, pay workers, and collect rents. These festivals usually

2009

Beware the Pogonip (December): The word pogonip is a meteorological term used to describe an uncommon occurrence—frozen fog. The word was coined by Native Americans to describe the frozen fogs of fine ice needles that occur in the mountain valleys of the western United States and Canada. According to their tradition, breathing the fog is injurious to the lungs.

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

141

ie) pI E 5 | D A R

For Movable Religious Observances, see page 111.

Robert E. Lee Day (Ark., Fla., Ky., La., S.C.) Feb.2 | Groundhog Day Feb. 12 poraee Eee Birthday

Jan. 19

June 21

Father’ 'sDay

Lag airal

_| Pioneer Day(Utah) Colorado Day

Feb. 14|Valentine’sDay Feb. 15 | Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday (Fla., Wis.)

| National Flag ofCanadaDay Mardi Gras (Baldwin & Mobile counties, Ala.; La.) cu.

ole el ol -~

Mar.2 | TexasIndependence Day Mar.3 | TownMeeting Day ih Mar. 15 | Andrew Jackson Day (Tenn, aee St. Patrick’s Day

eee Aug. 26|Women’s ‘Equality Day, Sept.9 Admission Day (Calif) Sam

Sept. 11|

Sept. 13] |

Sept. 17| ConstitutionL Sept.21| 3 I

Evacuation Day (Suffolk Co., Mass.)

Oct. 5

| Seward’s Day (Alaska)

Oct. 9 c Leif Eriksson Da

~ | PascuaF Florida Day Bes Oct. 12 20 |‘PatriotsDay (Maine, Mass. ye ee) SaarSie ta

“San Jacinto Day (Tex.).

Oct. 18

Earth Day

Oct. 24

National AArborDay ~| Cinco deMayo LO

Y caRnie

Oct. 30 Nevada Day a... oO

{Truman Day (Mo.)""Nov.3 “Mother's Day setahs RR eens:

| Atmed Forces Day Se

Alaska Day | United NationssDay _ “et

“Halloween

i

| ElectionDay

Nov.att 4 WillRogers IDay(Okla.)ag

Te

- er PearlHarbor ages aon Day _ June 14

June 17 June 19 June 20

ics 142

;

Love calendar lore? Find more at Almanac.com.

a oo 2009

ADVERTISEMENT

Uns SAPO Ase Kireeysupport: END KNEE PAIN GONE FOR GOOD! * Lightweight non-metal construction »% Patented material insulates, warms and soothes knee joint + Machine washable

*& Non-allergenic % Enjoy maximum mobility and comfort

It doesn’t matter whether your knee problems are due to

arthritis, an accident, torn cartilage, a bad

fall, or the ravages of age ... when it comes to your knees you want REAL support. Support that really works. Powerful yet comfortable support! Support that stops the pain and is only available from the amazing Barlow POWER Knee Support. You've probably tried ordinary knee supports and elastic bandages, without getting real relief. But the Barlow® POWER Knee Support is so unusual, so superior, it gives you exceptional support,

relief and complete comfort.

FOR MEN & WOMEN OF ALL AGES The Barlow® POWER Knee Support is extremely lightweight. Unbelievably comfortable. Provides your knee with Deedes

maximum lateral and cap support. Helps you absorb shock and prevents twisting. Gives you greater flexibility of movement without feeling like you're wearing a brace or support. Best of all, it is guaranteed to

end your knee pain!

30 DAY RISK-FREE OFFER Remember, if you don't take care of your knees they won't take care of you! Favoring bad knees throws your whole body out of kilter, which can cause shooting back pain, limit your body motion, even sap your energy.

Try the Barlow POWER Knee Support for 30 days. Ifyou're not 100% satisfied, just return itfor a full refund ofyour purchase price. No fees asked.

;

© LUXIS® INTERNATIONAL, INC = ee es a

g Luxis International, Inc. * 105 W Lincoln Hwy, Dept. 15-353 » DeKalb, IL 60115-8007 YES! Send me the Barlow POWER Knee Support on the RISK FREE 30-DAY GUARANTEE. FOR CORRECT SIZE: Measure around the knee, one inch above the knee cap.

i i

] My measurement is inches I (© 1 Barlow - $24.97 plus $4.00 shipping and handling. 1 © Your Best Buy - 2 Barlow for only $43.94 ($21.97 each) plus FREE shipping. J Enclosed is my check or money order $ for______ Barlow Knee Supports f or charge to CVISA CMaster Card Card # Exp. Date

I l i sj I

B Dr./Mr/Mrs./Ms.

il

H Address 2009

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

143

Calendar

% Christopher was a strong man known originally as Reprobus :

(Latin for “destined for damnation”), who swore allegiance to the most powerful forces on Earth: first, to the king of

St.Christopher

FEAST DAY: JULY 25 (died c. 250)

ohiuae who struck fear into the hearts of hissicaime then, to a satanic commander, who frightened the king; and last, to the spirit of Christ, who caused the com-

mander to cower. But Reprobus did not know how to serve Christ. When a hermit advised him to fast, Reprobus said he needed to eat to maintain his strength. When the hermit told him to pray, Reprobus said he did not know how. Then the hermit told him to use his strength to transport people safely across a nearby river that had claimed many lives. One day, as the river raged, Reprobus struggled to carry a child. When he was safe on the other side, the boy revealed himself to be Christ. He renamed Reprobus “Christopher” (Greek for “one who carries Christ’”)}—and disappeared. According to an ancient compendium of Roman martyrs, Christopher was shot with arrows and beheaded in present-day Turkey. Christopher is the patron saint of travelers.

& Martha might be the original domestic diva. She kept house while her sister, Mary, and brother, Lazarus, kept company with conSt.Martha templative types in their home. Being a practical sort, Martha took a dim view of her siblings’ seemingly idle FEAST DAY: JULY 29 philosop hizing and never missed an opportunity to chas(c. Ist century) tise them. One day, Christ, a frequent guest, scolded Martha for her criticism. He suggested that a blend of work and meditation brought balance to life, and she soon changed her ways. Later, the family left Palestine and traveled to the south of France. There, according to legend, Martha faced down a dragon and, with a few drops of holy water and a swish of her sash, led it out of town. Martha is the patron saint of housekeepers. 144

A look into the lives of some famous saints

compiled by Sarah Perreault

St. Augustine of Hippo FEAST DAY: AUGUST 28 (354-430)

The son of a pagan father who celebrated virility and a Catholic mother who encouraged chastity, Augustine grew up in Algeria amid conflicting moral influences and subscribed to both. At age 17, while studying rhetoric at a university in Carthage, he took a mistress who bore him a son and joined a pagan cult, thus breaking his mother’s heart. Later, he crushed her spirit when, with the mistress and child, he set sail for Rome while his mother was praying in a nearby chapel at his suggestion. Two years later, in Milan, Augustine and his mother reconciled. There, the pair became followers of

Saint Christo,

Ambrose, a local bishop.

Eventually, under Ambrose’s influence, Augustine saw the errors of his ways. He left his mistress, was baptized (with his son), and became a priest and, ultimately, a famous theologian. His autobiography, Confessions, is considered to be the first work of that genre. Augustine is the patron saint of theologians. (continued)

Saint Au eusti

Calendar

()

& Eustace, originally known as Placidus, was a general in the Roman army. On a hunting trip, he came upon a beautiful white stag. While taking aim at it, he spied a crucifix St. Eustace hanging from its antlers. A voice that seemed FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 20 to emanate from the crucifix told him that his hietache ll charitable works pleased Christ, but hardships loomed in his future. Placidus was so moved that he had himself and his family baptized into Christianity and changed his name to Eustace (Greek for “good fortune’”’)—1to no avail. Pirates abducted his wife, his servants succumbed to the plague, he

was robbed, and his sons were carried off by a wolf and a lion. Eustace prayed for years for his family’s safe return. Eventually, they were all reunited, still remaining faithful to Christianity. When they refused to worship pagan gods, they were roasted to death inside a bronze bull. Eustace is the patron saint of hunters.

St. Lucy W

\ \ . » \ \ S . \ \ \ ‘

\ . :

Saint Lucy

FEAST DAY: DECEMBER 13 J (died c. 304)

& Beautiful Lucy was born intoalife of privilege in Sicily. Raised as a Christian by her mother, she declined a nobleman’s proposal of marriage, saying that she had sworn herself to Christ. Infuriated, the man turned her over to the governor, who ordered her into prostitution as punishment. When the governor’s guards tried to transport her to the brothel, they found her to be inexplicably locked in place. Even a team of oxen couldn’t move her. The governor then ordered her to be tortured. First, the guards cut out her eyes (some legends suggest that she plucked out her eyes herself and sent them to her suitor), but her sight was miraculously restored. Next, they attempted to burn her at the stake, but the flames did no harm. Finally, they thrust a sword into her throat, She died from that wound, but not before receiving Communion. Lucy is the patron saint of eye ailments. OO Note: Ifa saint's feast day falls on a Sunday, It is usually celebrated on another day. Sarah Perreault is assistant editor at The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

ADVERTISEMENT

THIN HAIR? My mother’s hair was extremely thin. She was terribly embarrassed by it. You could look right through the hair and see large spots of exposed scalp; and she had split ends. She tried everything available but nothing worked, until we found Neutrolox™. Today, my mother’s hair looks thick and gorgeous; she looks years younger and she was able to donate her wigs for use by cancer patients. Neutrolox™ is not just a hair thickening cream; its effective ingredients are the answer to the embarrassing problem of thinning hair and it lets your hair grow fast and naturally, My name is John Peters and | was balding at an extreme rate. After using Neutrolox™ we both are getting compliments on our hair for the first time in our lives. It is great for men and women and can be used on color-treated, permed or processed hair. There is nothing like Neutrolox™ and it is not yet available in stores. Neurolox™ is in a class of it’s own. We honestly believe in Neutrolox™ and know you will too! Try Neutrolox™, if you don’t agree you get every penny of your money back—no one can beat a 100% no-risk money-back guarantee. To order send $16.95 (plus $3.00 S&H) for a medium, or the most SAVINGS come with the large (you save $9.95) send only $26.95, plus $3.00 S&H for each order to: NEUTROLOX™, Dept. FA-N2009, BOX 366, Taylor, MI 48180

RINGING in the Ears GREAT News For You! If you ever experience ringing in the ears, buzzing, hissing or any other annoying sounds that may be interfering with your life, you should know about Dr. John’s Special Ear Drops™. The drops are truly remarkable; for example: 79-yearold Gloria Gains of Richmond, VA writes: “I tried everything available and my doctor told me I would have to live with my trouble. I had trouble sleeping at night and the sounds were driving me out of my mind. Thank God, I seen your ad. [ hardly notice anything at all anymore and I’m sleeping like a baby. Your drops have been a God-Send.” Thousands of users like Gloria have written to us regarding Dr: John’s Special Ear Drops™. Ifyour doctor has not been able to help you, I strongly urge you} to give Dr John’s Special Ear Drops™ a try. You won’t be sorry! The drops are guaranteed to be better for you than anything you have tried or you will get every cent of your money back, no questions asked. You can’t beat that!

Send $16.95 plus $3.00 S&H (that’s only $19.95) for 1 bottle. Or better yet save $10.00 by ordering 2 bottles for only $26.95 plus $3.00 S&H (a total of $29.95), Send payment with your name and address to:

Dr. John’s Research, Dept. FA-DJ2009, Box 637, Taylor, MI 48180

Dr, John’s Research is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year providing only the best products. Results may vary. A testimonial reflects the opinion of that person. The FDA does not review claims made on herbal products and the drops are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. You should see a doctor if you think you have a disease. If you suffer from ringing in the ears, don’t wait a minute longer. Order Today! 2009

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

147

Outdoors

Best Fishing Days and Times. @ The best times to fish are when the fish are naturally most active. The Sun, Moon, tides, and weather all influence fish activity. For example, fish tend to feed more at sunrise and sunset. During a full Moon, tides are higher than average and fish tend to feed more. However, most of us go fishing when we can get the time off, not because it is the best time. But there are best times, according to fishing lore: H@ One hour before and one hour after high tides, and one hour before and one hour after low tides. (The times of high tides for Boston are given on pages 112-138; also see pages 234-235. Inland, the times for high tides correspond with the times when the Moon is due south. Low tides are halfway between en tides,ui

|_| During the’? ‘morning igen(after sunup bt a spell) aid ‘the “evening rise” (just before sundown and the hour or so after). @

Whenthe barometer issteady or on the rise. (But even during stormy periods, the fish aren’t going to give up feeding. The smart fisherman

will findJustthe right bait. ) The Best Fishing Days

for 2009, when

the Moon is between new and full:

_ January 1-10 January 26-February 9

i When there1isa hatch of flies caddisflies¢or ‘mayflies, com monly. (The fisherman will have to match his fly with the

Deis ce

eee

When the breeze isfrom awesterly aatiee rather am from thepe 5

: keh ee = et idbveeleelentes @ When the water isi Reali or7 rippled, rather ada chem a wind.

_ February 24-March 10

_ March 26-April 9

April 24-May 9 _ May 24-June 7

June 22-July 7

July 21-August5

. August 20-Sopte 20-September mber 4_ 4

September 18-October4

_ October 18-November2_

_ November 16-December 2

_ December 16-31

-

Be eae

Fishing line Bobbers

Swivels, to keep fishing line from twisting

Leaders

Sinkers (nonlead)

Different sizes of hook

Stringer,chara to hold allwent the fish you catch

Pliers, to help remove hooks

Sharp knife

Ruler/scale

Flashlight

First-aid kit Insect repellent OUOOCCOOCOCCoCao Sunscreen

trout

ADVERTISEMENT

New lure’s catch rate may be too high for some tournaments. Out-fishes other bait 19 to 4 in one contest.

Uses aerospace technology to mimic a real fish. ORLANDO, FL- A small company in Connecticut has developed a new lure that mimics the motion ofa real fish so realistically eight professionals couldn’t tell the difference between it and a live shad when it “swam” toward them on retrieval. The New lure swims like a real fish--nearly design eliminates wobbling, angled swim- triples catch in Florida contest. ming and other unnatural motions that problem other into five segments. As water rushes by on hard bait lures. It swims upright retrieval, a little-known principle called and appears to propel itself aeronautical flutter causes the tail to wag with its tail. left and right, as if the lure were propelling Curiously, the company may itself with its tail. Unlike other hard baits, by Charlie have designed it too well. the head remains stationary—only the tail Allen Tournament fishermen who wags. A company spokesman told me this. have used it said it’s possible officials will “Marine biologists will tell you that the not allow it in contests where live bait is more a lure swims like a real fish, the more prohibited. They claim it swims more realis- fish it will catch. Well, the only live thing the tically than anything they have ever seen. If KickTail doesn’t do is breathe. It’s always so, that would hurt the company’s promo- swimming wild and free. Fish can’t stand it. tional efforts. Winning tournaments is an We’ ve seen fish that have just eaten go for the important part of marketing a new lure. KickTail. It’s like having another potato chip.” Fish would probably prefer to see it Whether you fish for fun or profit, if you restricted. I watched want a near 3 to 1 advantage, I would order eight veteran fisher- now before the KickTail becomes known. men test the new lure The company even guarantees a refund, if (called The KickTail®) you don’t catch more fish and return the on a lake outside lures within 30 days. There are three verOrlando FL for about sions: a floater, a diver and a “dying shad” four hours. Four used with a weed guard. Each lure costs $9.95 and the KickTail and four you must order at least two. There is also a used a combination of “Super 10-Pack” with additional colors for their favorite lures only $79.95, a savings of almost $20.00. S/h and shiners (live bait). is only $7.00 no matter how many you order. The four using the To order call 1-800-873-4415 or click KickTail caught 41 www.ngcsports.com/gear anytime Inventor Scott Wilson fish versus 14 for the or day or send a check or M.O. (or cc lands a 10-pounder. other four. In one number and exp. date) to NGC Sports boat the KickTail won 19 to 4. The KickTail (Dept. KT-1403), 60 Church Street, also caught bigger fish, which suggests it Yalesville, CT 06492. CT add sales tax. triggers larger, less aggressive fish to strike. The KickTail is four inches long and The KickTail’s magic comes from a works in salt and fresh water. patented technology that breaks the tail KTS-8 © NGC Worldwide, Inc. 2009 Dept. KT-1403 149 THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC 2009

BY ROBERT JOE STOUT

When | was a boy, | spent long summer weekends with my father’s friend “Pop” Pore at his cabin on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, northwest of Denver, Colorado. Pop knew more about fish than anyone I’ve ever met. Here are a few of the things he taught me:

Never fish with the Sun behind you.

Use the thinnest possible leaders and line. Trout can see anything that isn snes

Trout have excellent eyesight. Letting your shadow cross the water is “like throwing a big stone in and scaring them away.”

or transparent. Try tying your own flies. Ina little box filled with cotton, Pop kept samples of

PIT

insects he’d seen trout snap at so that he could model his flies after them. Night crawlers and other worms are the

best bait. Cultivate a garden forthem _

by keeping the soil moist and turning it often. Mix in fine compost and coffee grounds, ifavailable.

TOOT ETITES

Be quiet when approaching a spot along

the stream that you're going to fish. Trout have excellent hearing. Movement through brush won’t

Cleana trout as soon as you catchit.Cut the belly open with a sharp, thin -

| alert them, but unnatural noises _ like clanging or banging will.

blade, pull out the intestinal matter, and putitina bag (so that youdon’t

- Beforecasting for rainbow trout, toss a

chip of bark upstream and watch to | Seeifitswirlsintoaneddyoris

-

draw flies) for disposal later. Dipa toothbrush iin vinegar and scrub the

_ fish inside and out. Moisten ferns or

_ diverted toward alittle pool. That’s. | herethefish are. Cast lightly and : f

_creekside grass in cold water u

pack the fish in them. Remoisten the ferns periodically tokeep: thefish

| cool. If snow isavailable,pack the fish init. — a Wear dark clothes—no brighta,or = yellows. Even though you can’t see — troutinthe water, from their pools

they can detect discrepancies in color above them. 150

.

fi

Robert Joe Stout has passed his fishing rod and skills to his daughter Ingrid, who fly-fishes in northeast Texas.

J

‘Pop cooked his catch as soon as he got back to his cabin. The fish he didn’t eat immediately he preserved for later, by smoking, pickling, splanking, or baking them in clay. Fancy utensils weren’t necessary then,

nd they aren’t needed now. _ TO PLANK TROUT: Attach a trout, skin side down, to a smooth pine, fir, oak, or

‘mesquite board by driving one nail just behind the gill and another at the 2 base of the tail—not the flesh (you don’t want a metallic taste in the fish). ‘op the plank close to the fire. While the fish cooks, rub it with a piece of

dripping-hot salt pork to keep it moist. Insert a fork; ifit slides in and out pie fishis ready to eat. oe to it, oy ago any. fishflesh

pack on a thick layer -ay:Say the fish brickalong the edge a an open fire. When the fire burns down, push the bricks among the coals. The fish will be done when the coalshave diedout; the got clay will aethem

eee add a sliced with:plain vinegar. Ifavailable. add waltonions; or five fish, plus four every for pepper Tabasco or onion and a jalapefio fe - several branches of dill. Six to eight black peppercorns can be substituted _ for the hot peppers.

The fish retains a firm texture and can be kept indefinitely in the lidded

cooker, with small amounts of vinegar added to replace any that evaporates. OO 151

Health

&

Home

mon. Kathleen.A,.MeCarthy

THESE DAYS, EVERY STEP YOU TAKE IS GOOD FOR your health. The American Heart Association suggests that walking 10,000 steps a day will help keep weight down, raise good cholesterol, and boost energy levels—a good idea that may be easy for you to take in stride, but not everyone. A survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association reports that 47 percent of adults ages 18 to 60 have experienced a foot ailment. For some, the discomfort is debilitat-_

ing: One in five reported that foot pain interfered with daily activities. The fact is, feet take a pounding: Every time

we take a step, a force equivalent to one and a half

times our body weight falls onto each foot. This adds up to several hundred tons every day. Consider that the average person walks about 115,000 miles in a lifetime and it’s no wonder that

so many of us have got tender feet. In some cases, shoes may be the archenemy. If your shoes don’t fit properly, you will feel the cumulative effect of unsteadiness and loss of stamina—and the 33 joints, 107 ligaments, and 19 muscles in each foot will need a footrest, Finding your best footing could lead to some deep sole searching—but it needn’t, if you keep this advice in mind when shopping for shoes.

@ The majority of us have abnormally

shaped feet, and our footprints do not match shoe manufacturers’ “lasts” (threedimensional foot models). Manufacturers use different lasts, and shoe sizes aren't

standardized.

and ligaments that run from your heel bone to the ball and acts as an elastic band. Your arches need to be supported by your shoes. The shoe’s arch should rise from the insole and make contact with the arch of your foot. i Slip-on shoes are often made from lightweight or flimsy material, have little arch support, and are loosely constructed. As aresult, feet can easily become fatigued. Shoes made from stiff, rigid materials (thick leather or vinyl) aren’t neces-

sarily an improvement; they can limit the natural motion of the foot. The best shoe

materials are breathable and supple. Soft

Ml The ball of your foot (the round, padlike area at the base of your big toe) needs

flexibility to push off from the ground. A shoe’s upper material should allow the foot to bend at the ball. Wl The arch is not just the hollow on the inside of the foot; it consists of muscles

Health

& Home

leather, other natural fabrics, and breath- _ should have room to wiggle your toes, but able synthetics would be good choices. the shoes should feel snug over the top of

_ @ Bruised toenails, skin injuries, and _ the foot and around the heel. (Laces and crooked bones can result from shoes that _ straps help to stabilize your feet.)

are too tight at the toes. Look for a Comfortable shoes that support your thumb’s width of space between your feet give you the energy and strength to longest toe and the tip of the shoe. You _ take steps to improv e your health.

Ua Vad)

THE REMEDY A high arch; a tendency Shoes with a high-tech to put weight on the outer _ roll barrier in the heel to _ edge of the feet; a tenreduce the foot rofl onthe dency to twist ankles, outside edge of the shoe: even on flat surfaces high arch support tocom_ pensate forafootarchthat is too high to balance the body’s weight

A low arch that collapses when bearing weight; a tendency to carry the

Shoes with a high-tech

__roll barrier in the heel to reduce thefootrollonthe

weight on the inside ofthe —_ inside edge of the shoe: feet, throwing the body __cushioned support in the —

out of alignment, resulting

_ in shin splints and knee __and back pain

_ _ _ _

midfoot area to reduce

stress on the inside ofthe feet

None. The arch distributes Arch support in the shoe _ body weight well and ad- _ that meets thesurfacearea justs fo uneven surfaces of the arch of the foot to when the foot isinmotion. — maintain elasticity =

For Good Measure CHARLES F. BRANNOCK, A SHOE STORE OWNER IN SYRACUSE, New York, in the early 1900s, believed that proper shoe fit was crucial for healthy feet. He burned the midnight oil in his machine shop as he worked with an Erector set to make a prototype foot-measuring device. The result measured three dimensions of the foot: the heel-to-toe length, the width, and—for the first time ever—the arch.

-The Brannock Device Company, Inc.

154

So useful was Brannock’s device that he eventually sold thousands of them, and word about its benefits even

ADVERTISEMENT

DO YOU WANT LOVE, LUCK, MONEY? TRIPLE POWER LUCKY MILLIONAIRE’S

- EXTRA STRONG -

“LUCKY GAMBLERS”

NECKLACE ¢ POCKET PIECE

NECKLACE ¢ DIAMOND CUT

Just Carry or Wear to Draw Lots of Money

to You, Fast! Overcome All Money Problems. Bust thru Any Block on Your Money: Credit Cards, Housing, Welfare, Gambling, Court Case, Pay Raise, Taxes or Overdue Bills, or People that Owe You Money. Try this Lucky

Packed with POWER to help all you

®

gamblers WIN BIG! It's your turn to hit that winning number and get those BIG

BUCKS!

Order

FOR

¢ Bingo ¢ Lottery

No. J2300

Only $16.50

Millionaire’s Piece, Now! It has 3 Super Luck Symbols for Triple Power.

e Cards e Races

e Numbers ° Dice ¢ Slots or any

each

ORDER NOW for your chance at a MONEY MIRACLE! 30 Day Money Back Guarantee

Game of Chance

No. J7000... Only $10.95

O Rev. Moses Cleansing/Uncrossing Spiritual

Bath & Soak

Cc No. A1090 O

O

M1001

O

a 1S

$9.95 each

Only $5.98 each (Comes with Directions) E2108 - LUCKY GAMBLERS Be lucky at any game. Win big. Lottery, Bingo, any Casino game.

© X4196 Hi John the Conqueror Master/Control any problem or condition! 1 X4248 Love Potion - Conquers any

E2114 - JOB/STEADY WORK Use to get or hold a job, get a raise, or stop harassment on the job. IRE TO WIN

£2118 - MONEY DRAWING

era OG

Money from anyone or any source, fast.

love problem. Draws lover close.

;:

hex, or jinx, for good. Brings good luck. (1 %4332 Sure to Win - Hit Big at Lottery,

" i "7":

C) X4292 Reversible - Turns back evil,

Bingo or any Casino game.

Only $6.00

Sprinkle on

bodyorin home to

Besings

=

/

BL)

enemies.

FREE GIFT & CATALOG WITH EVERY ORDER! |_ORDERNUMBER | PRICE ORsr ssyear ts|9 _ohhe3 |

|e you down,

Fe

lonely, confused,

if badthis ck Healing

of Health,

evil. Carry or

[eaerePosieaeat c+Op 7 | *ADD: ROMANE RUSH: Add

Necklace.

KING SOLOMON

BLOCK-BUSTER GEMSTONE POWER UNBLOCKS any forces keeping

you down. Busts thru any block and conquers all problems.

POWER

oot

7 oe]

$2.00 extra

peat Ae |

BUDDHA |

Order this green

Buddha now!

bie

'$5.95 Total for Rush|

SUPER

MONEY

RR gebe acer

eray Sees

wear

Peace &

[Quick 3-Day] Pull

E2122 - STOP EVIL/RUN DEVIL RUN Stop all evil in and around you. Kills jinx and keeps away

GOOD LUCK CRYSTAL

jinxed? If so, get

3

weet

eae

receive Holy Prosperity

All bags are packed with secret power and super strong mojo roots to give you FAST LUCK when playing any numbers game — Bingo, Lottery, Races, or Casinos.

Hit that jackpot and be a WINNER, today! FREE!!! Extra Strong “Money Drawing” Brand Perfume

Only $6.95 each (3 for $15.00)

No.A1607

- Extra Strong .... $12.95

M2002 - Double Power... . $25.00 M3003 - Triple Strength ....$50.00

Removes any evil, jinxed or crossed CY condition on you. Gets the devil out of you and your home, fast! Protects you O from all harm and enemies. Makes evil pass — cleans you out.

HOLY WATER

(2 for $19.00)

LUCKY GAMBLERS MOJO BAGS

O

© PREPAID CASH OR MONEY ORDER - ADD $3.95 Post & Hand. (PREPAID CASH OR MONEY ORDER RUSH “PRIORITY”

Sv |

>

(©

=}

money powers. Draw fortunes

Carry or wear for | to you, now! quick help.

No. J4105 Only $8.95 | No.M1142 Only $9.95

SERVICE — ADD $5.95 Total for Postage & Handling. PREPAID CHECK —| have my STREET ADDRESS and PHONE NUMBER on my check — otherwise my order will be delayed. * Sorry, NO C.O.D. Orders ¢

CHURCH GOODS CO.® DEPT. F-09 P.O.Box 718 « Glenview, Illinois 60025

TheLuckShop.com

WE MAKE NO SUPERNATURAL CLAIMS. ALL ITEMS SOLD AS CURIOS ONLY FULL SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK. 155 THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC 2009

Health

&

Home

reached the U.S. Army. In 1941, after receiving numerous complaints about foot problems from its women and men in uniform, Army officials contacted Brannock. The inventor spent several weeks at Army camps, where he developed a device that calibrated military-issue shoes and measured both feet at once. Brannock’s company, now based in Liverpool, New York, continues to manufacture the device. It is virtually unchanged

from the original, including the name: Brannock Device . His

~The Brannock Device Company, Inc.

Charles Brannock

meticulous design and business records are housed in the Smithsonian Institution.

: Pedi-Cures @ Blisters form when shoes are too tight or do not bend with the natural motion of the feet. Cover a blister with an antibiotic

_ ointment and a bandage. Do not cut the

__ skin or puncture the blister, Once it heals, apply moleskin (soft, padded material with adhesive on one side, such as Dr. Scholl’s) to protect the skin from friction

and prevent more blisters.

__ @ Calluses form onthe soles and sides of the feet, and coms develop on the tops of toes. Both result from constant friction and

_ pressure. For relief, rub a pumice stone

_ gently over the calluses and corns for up a minute, taking care to buff away only

iedry skin. Repeat a few times a week.

(Calluses and corns often heal on their

ownonce better-fitting shoes are worn.)

W@ Dry, cracked heels develop from lack

of moisture. To soften skin overnight, rub

cet with baby oil, petroleum jelly, or a natural balm and cover with cotton socks.

Think your feet don’t stink? More than 250,000 sweat glands in each foot can release up to a half-pint of moisture a day. To get rid of odors, soak your feet for 30 minutes a day in equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Repeat until your feet are less malodorous. To reduce sweat and odor, sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda on your feet or inside your shoes. Both

powders absorb moisture.

ies

_ I Got aching feet? Try this tenderizer:

_ Put 2 cups of Epsom salts per 1 gallon of

_warm water in a bucket. Soak your feet

for 30 minutes. 156

Kathleen A. McCarthy, a nurse living in Pasadena, California, writes about health. While working in clinical research, she learned that her tired feet be-

came happy feet when she wore proper shoes.

feaAt I ie cia Le ai a iaa|e

ADVERTISEMENT

#

Approved by Medicare

RE

—

S TO

a ea UUs

RE

INTIMACY

lfyour relationship has suffered because of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) for any of th following:

Diabetes Prostate Cancer Medications Lifestyle Habits

High Blood Pressure Vascular Disease Aging Process Spinal Cord Injury

The Vacurect™ offers a solution which is non-invasive and has NO side effects with over a 96% success rate.

The Revolutionary New

VACURECT"” Vacurect™

Conventional Pumps

TheDifference i is in the Design dl

BE

877-266-7699

ca

=

MB

eee

STO) 3409

MEDICAL >

afree patient information kit.; cI) today TOLL-FREE! | YES, |would like to receive ‘Name

urares

Phen

sonro Medical Inc.

5550 Washington

ee ee al

Bldg. 100, Suite 16

Rd,

Evans, GA. 30809 ec www.bonro.com

>

:Email

1

:

,

tate ___ Zip :

| ;

:Please fax (706) 210-4740 or mail completed coupon to: : ‘| BONRO Medical: P.0.Box 1880 Evans, GA 30809OFA 3! ee

2009

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

157

Health& Home

w the guy who always says, . of humans, that individual was Madame ou'll live longer’’? Turns out that Jeanne Calment. . . . In her later years, . People who study centenarians every day she lived, she extended the hud that very old people have a lot man life span by a day.” So, the answer in . For starters, they take life as to the question to Perls appears to be “as it comes. long as the oldest person has lived.” That’s Centenarians—people who live to be all we have to go on. 100 or more—are the fastest growing popCalment, of France, was 122 when she ulation group in both the United States died on August 4, 1997. She is the oldest and Canada. According to the most recent human being ever recorded. (The word data available, there were over 84,300 cen“recorded” is important. There are peotenarians in the United States in 2007 and ple who claim to be older, but they canmore than 4,600 in Canada in 2006. not prove it.) Some would suggest that The Boston University School of Medher longevity was destiny: She came from icine is currently carrying out the New a family who all reached a ripe old age. England Centenarian Study, the most comprehensive study in the world of people 100 or older. When you ask Dr. Thomas Perls, a physician and the director of B.U.’s study of aging, how long a human being could conceivably live, here is what he says: “Life span . . . is defined by the age of the oldest living individual. In the case erenanaoneonennnnnevene

BY ANN THURLOW

158

BRONSON

HOPES VENANAINIA EVE RONAN

RAR AA

She never worked but instead enjoyed a number of hobbies, including tennis, cy-

cling, swimming, roller-skating, piano playing, and the opera. The secrets to her longevity included consuming olive oil, drinking port wine, and using her mind. The average life expectancy is now at its highest point ever, although it is still a long way from 100. For Americans, it is

75 years for men and 80 years for women. Itis 77.7 years for Canadian men and 82.5 years for Canadian women. Certain aspects of your longevity are out of your control. Studies now

indicate, for example, -

that people who come from long-living families have a greater chance of living a long time themselves. And it helps to be a female. Only 17,390 centenarians in the

United States are men; in Canada, only 800 are men. No matter what your current |/ age, the possibility exists that you will live for 100 years or more—but why leave it to

chance? Research suggests that you can improve your odds. Here’s how:

@ Take it easy. Scientists who study centenarians say that they tend to be easygoing people who aren’t stressed or flustered. @ Use your brain. Challenge your mind by doing puzzles or playing card games, such as bridge, or by learning new things. @ Stay physically active. Ellen Robertson, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was 105

Health

&

Home

when she died in 2007, but she had taught aerobics until she was 93. Jack Weil, of Denver, Colorado, celebrated his 107th birthday in March 2008. He still goes to work every day at the company he founded, Rockmount Ranch Wear.

H Get out of the house—or invite people into your home. Evidence suggests that an active social life is one of the keys to living longer.

@ Laugh alot. To double the effect, share a smile with someone you love.

@ Flirt. A little harmless flirting doesn’t hurt. As the saying goes, there may be snow on the roof, but there’s still fire in the stove.

@ Stay trim. It is extremely rare to find an obese 100-year-old. @ Enjoy sunshine sensibly. Shigechiyo Izumi, a Japanese man who lived to be 120,

attributed his great age to “God, Buddha,

Golden Oldies @ Supercentenarians are people who have _ reached the age of 110 and beyond. Scientists estimate that there are 200to 300 _ ofthese worldwide, including 60 or so in the United States.

IM The prov ofince Nova Scotia nasonee

narian for every 5,000 people—twice the _ prevalence as in New England. Scientists believe thatthis maybe because NovaSco-

tians come from hearty stock—a blend of Celtic, French/Acadian, and Scottish blood. Wilfred Creighton agrees. The 103year-old lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and _ credits good genes for his seniority. Hissister and his cousin lived to be 102.

and the Sun.” He may have been on to something. Studies show that vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) can improve life ex-

pectancy by slowing the progression of certain common diseases.

So, You Get to 100. Can You Live to 1,000? British researcher Dr. Aubrey de Grey thinks that it might just be possible for human beings to one day live to age 1,000—or be-

f

160

:

yond. He has attracted worldwide attention for _ his strategy to repair the effects of aging. The Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence (SENS) method looks at the seven baseline causes

Health

&

Home

knowledgeable and sophisticated than any of aging (basically, various types of cellular damage) and seeks ways to repair middle-age or elderly person is today.” each one. Says de Grey, “There is a natural rate Sage Advice of decay of the body—accumulation of In thefirst issue ofthis Almanac, founder : molecular and cellular damage—and Robert B. Thomas published the “Rules there’s only so much damage that we can forLong Life and the Natural Marks of sustain before we stop working. The It.” In addition to everything advisedhere SENS program aims to clear out damage by modern physicians and selentists, a as fast as it occurs, thereby indefinitely Thomas — that feacers preventing the pathologies that result from having too much damage.” Michewperfect. At this time, de Grey’s theories are just WlLivechastely. 7 that. But he believes that in the near future BHBelongandsoundsleepers. : he will have therapies that can help us to live _Thomas diedin1846atage80. a. as long as we want—and healthily, at that. He describes a potential 200-year-old as Ann Thurlow still has a few years to go before she “like today’s 25-year-olds, in terms of reaches 100. Meanwhile, she is chewing perfectly and laughing a lot in Charlottetown, P.E.I. physique and mental agility, but far more

FREE: THE ESSIAC HANDBOOK Learn about the famous Ojibway Herbal Healing Remedy Write For a Free Copy: P.O. Box 278 Crestone, CO 81131 Or Call Toll-Free:

888-568-3036 161

Your dreams are trying totell you something. |

Amusement

|

Dreams .. . have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they've gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind. —Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronté, English writer (1818-48)

magine that you are at the grocery store checkout counter—and you are not wearing any clothes. You grab a magazine from the nearby rack to cover yourself, but as soon as you touch the tabloid, it “melts” in your fingers. Just as you reach for another magazine, you wake up. “What in the world was that all about?” you ask yourself.

We have been trying to glean meaning from dreams for centuries. Many ancient cultures believed that dreams were a link between the human and supernatural worlds. Roman

military leaders,

hoping for messages from the gods about a future battle, hired dream inter-

preters to travel with their armies. During Emperor Augustus’s reign, anyone who dreamed about the country was required to declare it publicly. Native Americans believed that dreams served as a way to contact their ancestors, and

some cultures used dream incubation— often drug-induced dreaming—to gain understanding. Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, among others, persuaded us that dreams are a form of communication between our

Amusement

conscious and unconscious selves. According to Jungian psychologist Douglas Williams, “Dreams are visual stories that contain a beginning, middle, and end. If we are willing to follow the story where it leads us, we will learn something about ourselves and about human nature.” Of course, in order to follow the story, you must remember it. Dream researchers suggest several techniques: @ Get plenty of sleep. A lack of sleep makes it difficult to remember dreams, and it can also interfere with rapid eye movement (REM) cycles, during which most vivid dreams occur.

Ml When you wake up, do not move. Focus on recalling your dream, not on your schedule or responsibilities for the day.

Mi Write down as much of the dream as possible—a face, a room, an emotion, a snippet of conversation—in a journal that you keep by your bed. Or, speak your dream into a tape recorder; your mind works faster than your

hands, so fewer details might be lost.

Over time, you will see specific symbols and themes emerging. Making sense of these may be easier than you think. Says Richard Wilkerson, operations director for the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD): “You

don’t need an expert to interpret dreams. You are the expert. The images in your dreams are unique to you, and only you can interpret their meaning.” For instance, a dream set in a city may represent opportunities for travel and exploration for one dreamer, but for another, urban hustle and bustle may indicate that the dreamer is feeling harried and frantic. 164

Layne Dalfen, founder and director of The Dream Interpretation Center and IASD board member, recommends asking yourself these questions to help you mine your dreams for meaning: HI Does the dream mirror a situation inmy waking life?

Hi What are the symbols in my dream? For example, a brother could be a symbol for any male family member.

@ Is an event in a dream similar tosomething that is occurring in my waking life? For example, a dream about giving a speech when no one is listening could echo a waking-life situation in which someone askedforyour opinion and did not listen.

Mi What was the setting and general mood of the dream?

Mi Have | had this dream before? Recurring dreams often indicate unresolved conflict.

While specific dream symbols are unique for each dreamer, themes occur universally. Some of the most common themes include being chased (fear), flying (desire to achieve), and appearing nude in public (embarrassment, or worry about an upcoming performance or “test”

gr Sea”

on

Fa Ly PN

&> a

€

Amusement S E

A dream about giving a speech when no one is listening could echo a wakingJife : . . ; situation in which someone asked for your opinion and did not listen.

of some kind; if other people are naked, this may indicate deception among those close to you). However, not all dreams present nuggets of wisdom or insight. For example, a dream about running errands can be interpreted at face value—just a review of the day’s activities. But if, in the dream,

you drive around the block six times and still can’t find your destination, your unconscious may be telling you to look at situations that are preventing you from achieving your goals. If, as you are searching, a deceased friend or family

member appears riding an exotic beast and leads you into unknown territory, follow. You are about to experience an archetypal dream—the type that often occurs during times of transition and leaves you feeling as though you have received great wisdom. If the beast starts to talk, listen! (continued)

Some of the most common dream themes include being chased, flying, and appearing nude in public.

_ Dreams areg often most _ profound when they seem _ _ the most crazy.

.

_The Interpretation of Dreams, Sigmund Freud, :

Austrian neurologist (1856-1939) :

if dreams are skits, then nightmares are full blown productions, whose characters, costumes, settings, and special effects hold unique meaning. A nightmare shines a spotlight on the areas of your life that need attention, but with an element of terror that can be helpful. It forces you to consider situations in a new light and can help you to become unstuck and to grow.

Amusement

DREANE

THEMES

Certain dream themes are played out across all cultures, night after night. Here are some of the most common themes and their interpretations . .. EAM

PBEM You may receive unexpected assistance in trying to attain your goals.

Failure often indicates the opposite—success.

__ Fear, such as losinga job or financial concerns, _ dominates your life. The height from which you fall, the way you land, and how well you recover - may offer additional insight into your fears.

comin yourhouse

ouarelate for school, work,

You may discover something about yourself, __ such as your goals and desires.

an important event, like

You may be feeling unprepared or unqualified for an upcoming situation.

You are unable to find your classroom, office, or home

You may be uncertain about your life path, or you may be trying to fit into a new situation

wedding

or job.

You can’trun or yellina dangerous situation 166

You feel “stuck” or unable to make desired

changes in your waking life.

ENERGAIRE” IONIZER CLEARS THE AIR OF SMOKE, POLLEN, POLLUTION. EnergAire continuously purifies up to 4,000 cubic feet (a large room) of air and makes it breathable and invigorating. Restores natural ion balance to unhealthy environments caused by industrial pollution, automobile exhaust, central air-conditioning, and heating, smoke, dust, pollen, animal fur...removes microscopic pollution particles not removed by any other method of air purification. EnergAire was rated Number One for speed of removal of cigarette smoke by the leading U.S. consumer protection magazine. It has no noisy fan, no costly filter, and requires no maintenance. Uses . less than 2 watts. » Q"high. 3" diameter. Weighs less than 1

next few months. -

Cantaloupe Expect love, peace, and prosperity.

Chalk Look out for a serious setback in your current plans.

Llama Expect success

in current undertakings. Polar bear Good fortune is

forthcoming. Prunes

Be prepared for a change of residence.

Sand Be wary of a new acquaintance.

’

pound.

$59.95

RODAR® ULTRASOUND GETS RID OF RATS, MICE, BATS, ROACHES, OTHER PESTS. RODAR is the superpowerful professional ultrasonic pest repeller with up to 60 or more

%

times the power of | other devices — and power is what makes

+

RODAR so effective.

|

RODAR

ultrasound

equals a jet engine — noise unbearable to § pests but at frequen-

cies humans and pets cannot hear. RODAR units are completely safe. RODAR drives pests out and keeps them from getting in. Handsome simulated walnut cabinet 5-5/8" high. Weight 1-1/2 pounds. Uses less than 5 watts. $89.95 90-day money-back guarantee — 12-month warranty. To order: Send cost for unit(s) plus $8.00 each for shipping and handling (in Mass. add 5%

tax) by check, money order, MasterCard, Visa, or Discover number and expiration date to:

AR. MICRON CORPORATION Dept. 912, 89 Access Road Norwood, MA 02062

CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-456-0734

www.microncorp.com/products

167

Special

Report

vit too on his face zoomed past me in his tiny green car, which rounded the corner on three wheels. The car was cute and

weird and edgy, and it might just be the wave of the future. Tiny is trendy. In an era of 50-inch televisions, McMansion homes,

:

by Aurelia C. Scott

| aLRANSPORTATIO=N Three-wheel micro cars, such

as the build-it-yourself Trimuter, may look odd, but they have been around since the birth of motoring. Karl Benz created one in 1886 before turning to the four-wheel vehicles that bear his name. In crowded cities where parking is next to impossible, micro cars are all the rage. As gasoline

and supersize meals, how can

this be? According to Kathryn Porter, author of Too Much Stuff: Decluttering Your Heart

LLC

and Home (Beacon Hill Press

of Kansas City, 2006), we may

Enterpr y

finally be burdened by our many possessions. Whatever the motivation, many people

are trying to reduce their

impact on Earth—and they

want to have fun doing it, which may be the real reason that little is huge.

168

The three-wheel Trimuter

prices climb, their fuel efficiency may soon bring

them to a showroom near you.

Four wheels have certainly not fallen out of favor, but they, too, are shrinking. Carmakers are finally giving us a choice of fast, goodlooking, fuel-efficient subcompacts, such as

Special

the Honda Fit. They’re well built, relatively inexpensive, and the fastestgrowing segment of the car market. For those who think that the idea of any car is too big,

g

|

motor scooters are making a comeback. According

Report

professor of visual and environmental studies John Stilgoe, who has written several books about America’s suburban landscape, believes that big houses create “atomized” families, with each person having his or her own bedroom,

bathroom,

TV room, playto a survey conroom, and so forth. ducted on beIn contrast, peohalf of Piaggio ple who live in Group Amerismall houses recas in 2006, 30 “""" port that as their percent of Americans would like to square footage ation. transport switch to two-wheel decreases, their Many are doing exactly that; nationwide sense of commuPee have Vespa sales of the retooled Italian family privacy, less nity increases. With been increasing by double digits annually since 2003. New York’s Vespa Jay Shafer and his 100-square-foot Tumbleweed cottage SoHo sold 60 percent more of the brightly colored scooters in 2007 than in 2006. USA Group -Plaggio

~

ie

“i

LIVING. SPACE While the size

. of many Ameri-

FY can homes is exj panding (the average is now more than 2,400

square feet), small houses (say, 1,500 square feet) are in big demand. Reasons abound: Single adults don’t want more than one bedroom. Older empty nesters are trading their suburban homes for city condos. A certain amount of Lilliputian love is also being driven by loneliness. Harvard

Compa House Tiny lewee

Special

Report ~Charlie Tyack

cars and many miniature gadgets. First marketed to businessmen who were too tired to go home, individual 3x3x6foot sleeping units, with minitelevision, raotel Mine 3x3x6-foot units.

members interact more. They spend more time outside meeting the neighbors, and their utility bills are way less. How low can square footage go? Jay Shafer, founder of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, lives in a 100-square-foot cottage in Sebastopol, California. Built on a

small, flatbed trailer, it costs $60 a

dio, alarm clock, and lamp, have morphed into

self-serve hotels with tight, clean,

10x20-foot rooms with all the modern necessities and sometimes even a private bath. Fodor’s Travel describes some of the rooms as “insanely small,” but, hey, it’s only for a few nights anyway. Your next vacation is likely to be shorter than the holidays of your childhood.

year to heat and, Shafer claims, is

not the least bit claustrophobic.

LEISURE | Planning aavacation? Think “curl up” in~ Stead of “kick back.” ; Many of us may be spending our downtime in a “capsule”

hotel (Yotel, easyHotel, The Pod Hotel), where comfortable rooms average 20 square feet. The concept Started in Japan, originator of small 170

According to a 2007 survey, most Americans—especially families juggling a variety of commitments—now prefer mini-vacations of 1 to 4 days.

é

0

2.

pecial

Report

_ ~Apple/www.apple.com

«

Ihave too much

a@e

7

stuff. You have too much stuff. That’s why storage has become an

industry and we pay professional organizers to sort our clutter. We can accumulate all of those possessions, in part, because so many of them are shrinking. Three-inch cell phones, 2-inch iPods—young consumers with good vision and nimble fingers are driving the everexpanding market for shrinking devices. Yet, hard-traveling ex-

ecutives and the atomized American family also create demand. Of course, a countertrend was bound to emerge: Forget about tiny purses that can hold only a credit card and lipstick. Giant,

shoulder-straining gaucho bags are next year’s fashion accessory. They’re being shown on models wearing—you guessed it—miniskirts.

PASTIMES AND. PETS. i mes Bonsai, the ancient Asian - art of forcing trees to behave like tiny plants, is gaining in popularity— especially among men. Males also like GI Joe dolls, model trains, and

3-inch Matchbox cars so much that they schedule annual play dates—okay, conventions—to share their enthusiasm with each other. And I know two people whose collections of miniature village scenes threatens to take over their living rooms. Dogs are shrinking. In 2007, the American Kennel Club reported that the little Yorkshire terrier had beaten out the German shepherd to become the second most popular purebred dog

Special

Rep

FOOD AND WINE in America (behind the Labrador retriever). In fact, small breeds, including dachshunds and beagles, represent five of the top ten most popular dogs. Meanwhile, easily

portable “toy” breeds, weighing less than 20 pounds, are also big.

ees

Talk about small: A human hair is 100,000 nanometers wide. Andrew Maynard of the Wilson Center’s Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies in Washington, D.C.,

says that this new science “means the ability to put small numbers of atoms and molecules where we want them.” Why would you want to? For starters, car; bon nanotubes in hockey stick shafts increase each stick’s flexibility and strength by as much as 70 percent, and pants made with NanoTex hooks repel stains, suppress wrinkles, and pull away moisture. Thousands more nanotechnology items are in the works.

172

Consumer- research firm AC Nielsen reports that singleserve bottles and cans of wine have become big business. _ Eileen Fredrikson, a wine industry consultant, believes that young consumers are driving the demand. Maybe they have happy memories of single-serve apple juice boxes. Drink

boxes,

which were introduced into the United States in the 1980s, have been celebrated s “the most significant food science innovation of the last 50 years” by the Institute of Food Technologists— and according to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, they’re the fastest growing segment of the juice market.

(continued)

ADVERTISEMENT

te

SCUTTLE

Start a Successful New Career with at-Home Training from Penn Foster. Secondary Schools for its high school and vocational-technical programs.

Since 1890, Penn Foster has been preparing people for employment in the fastest-growing career fields. When you graduate from Penn Foster, you can be confident that you have the skills you need to succeed in your new career.

Career Services. Current students and graduates are notified — through their personal message boards — of job openings submitted directly to Penn Foster by employers from around the country. Graduates of Penn Foster can take advantage of our Career Services, which include access to job searches, tips on interviewing, information on preparing a cover letter, and resume building with the help of a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

Affordable and Convenient. Our tuition price includes everything you need...textbooks, supplemental materials, and expert instructor support. We offer 0% APR financing and customized payment plans to meet any budget. And because you do all your coursework from home, there's no going to class or rearranging schedules. You choose when, where, even how you'd like to study. You can study online, in print, or a combination of both. You decide which method best suits your learning style.

For FREE Information:

1-800-572-1685 ext. 6195

Accredited. Penn Foster Career School and Penn Foster College are nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). Penn Foster Career School is also regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on

Call anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

www.PennFoster.edu Online enter ID# AA2S88T Or mail coupon today! 1

1

'

'

! 1

CAREER SCHOOL

'

t 1

il

eer oe ae i t © 413. Child Psychology’

§ (24

1 £194 1 (381

-

Dental Assistant

Fitness and Nutrition andBilling Medical Coding

1

t '

Pharmacy Technician

Maintenance and Repair

1) 83 Web Page Designer Mechanics

1

Caterer

1 1

Interior Decorator Private Investigator

(333 (0.89

Motorcycle Repair Technician Small Engine Repair

() 26 Teacher Aide ‘Certificate Program

fi

1

Trainer/Instructor

eee Foti on unsmi

© 146 Physical Therapy Aide 1 88 Veterinary Assistant

HVAC Technician.

1

[ 395 Dog Obedience

Auto Repair Technician Electrician

(14

1

104 Carpenter

[59

£1 04 2.06

(2 160 Professional Bridal Consultant

i i

4

1 1

1

“oe Health information Technology

1

407 Graphic Design

(3 61 (60

[) 409

Accounting

Business Management

(418 Computer Information Systems

0 406

nti

©) 405 Early

44300 A hotoaN Oe a 111

'

Business Owner

Medical Transcriptionist (39 ©) 383 Occupational Therapy Aide

COLLEGE Admini:

' ! L

(0 84

1

Other Exciting Programs

Paralegal

D 12° (9 58

ER

!

t '

1 23

Medical Office Assistant

PENN .

'

Small

27

¥ Career Diploma Programs

| Health '

Home Inspector

£70

Technology

www.PennFoster.edu

'

{15

(08

925 Oak Street, Scranton, PA 18515-0700

' 1

High School {07 — Penn Foster High School

Finance & Business (2 390 Bookkeeping

1 67

keot

Childhood

a

Education

Electronics Technology

4

4

[1412 Human Resources Management

1

() 427 Medical Assistant

a

:

meee cron

aintenance Technology

;

{) 396. Veterinary Technician

1 1

Scottsdale, AZ 85260 www.PennFosterCollege edu

1 ' 1

ONE only. Please send me FREE information on the Career School or College program | have selected above. No obligation. Choose

i Name 1 Street 1 1 City/State ' ry Phone( 1 ‘ 1

Age

Apt. # Zip

;

;

Mail coupon to Student Service Center,* Dept. AA2S88T, 925 Oak Street, Scranton, PA 18515-0700.

ee

2009

‘ 5

Email

)

octal

na)

“Beeen contractwithFone ReeNRE

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

nrc : he teem asians 173

Special

Report

Then there are the solid food single servings. Everything from cottage cheese to baby carrots to hot dogs already in buns is available in ready-to-eat packages.

Rent a plot in a community garden. Plot sizes vary, with 4x6 feet being common.

People

say that they’re too busy to sit down for a meal. We need to eat on the go. Little servings let us eat all the time. No wonder the tiny portions aren’t making us smaller! : in

c

While most of our

individual savings accounts are puny, interest in micro-

lending is growing.

é

Muhammad Yunus ~ of Pakistan revolutionized the business of credit in 1983 when he founded Grameen Bank, which makes loans as tiny

as the equivalent of $9 to borrowers whom other banks won’t help. In 2006, Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work. Now, -W. Atlee Burpee &Co.

Speaking of bite-size, miniature

Atlee Burpee Co. & ,

vegetables

—perfect for one-person households —abound: Gardeners are ga-ga over ‘Thumbelina’ carrots, single-

serve ‘Little Gem’ lettuce, dwarf “Tiny Tim’ tomato plants, and types of Thai eggplants the size of a pea. Little veggies and herbs excel in containers, making them ideal in a tiny apartment. Prefer a patch of ground but don’t want to maintain (and pay taxes on) a big backyard? 174

private individuals can use a modification of Yunus’s technique to lift others out of poverty. At Internet clearinghouses (www.change.org, www.cnow.org,

www.kiva.org),

9

ADVERTISEMENT

Berkey” Natural Purifiers The Ultimate in Emergency Water Purification Berkey® Natural Purification Systems are the World's Most Powerful and Economical Personal Water Purification Systems - Providing Reliable and Userfriendly Water Purification in Both Normal and Emergency Filtration Environments.

* Berkey” portable systems extract pathogenic bacteria, cysts, parasites, harmful chemicals and

heavy metals, without removing the beneficial minerals your body needs. 7

®

:

What’s more, Berkey™ systems are easily the most economical water purification systems available because the purification elements can

Travel Berkey” Only $220*

Berkey Light™

},¢ re-cleaned over and over again.

Only $209*

Moreover, Berkey” systems are capable of purifying both treated water and untreated raw water from lakes, streams and foreign countries, where regulations may be substandard at best. Perfect for everyday use and a must during emergencies when electricity, water pressure or treated water may not be available.

Order Today: 4 (888) 803-4438 (817) 481-0717 be rkeywate r.com *Not yet available in lowa

TRUSTED FRIENDS FROM THE FARM. BAG BALM® Ointment A trusted friend for more than 100 years, Bag Balm is proven to help heal cuts, scrapes, chapping, galls, and hobble burns. A great sweat. At tack shops, farm, drug, and hardware stores. If unavailable, order direct: 10 oz. can $7.99; 1 oz. can $5.50.

GREEN MOUNTAIN® Hoof Softener For softening hardened, dry, pinched, or contracted hoofs and

quarter cracks. At tack shops, farm, and hardware stores.

If unavailable, order direct: 10 oz. can $6.30; @

28 oz. can $8.70; $6.45 non-freeze liquid pint.

TACKMASTER® Leather cleaner, conditioner, preservative. Penetrates leather

i thoroughly, helps restore original life with natural oils. If unavailable, order direct: Gallon $17.50; quart $7.80;

pint $5.00; 4 oz. $3.00.

| Add $3.50 handling for your order. Prices subject to change : without notice. To order, send check or money order to (no credit cards please):

DAIRY

ASSOCIATION

CoO.,

INC.

O5851/TEL. 802-626-3610/WWW.BAGBALM.COM P.O. BOX 145, DEPT. OFAO8, LYNDONVILLE, VT 97223 S. W. 72ND ST., PORTLAND, OR SMITH SALES SERVICE, 16372 WEST OF ROCKIES:

2009

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

175

Special

Report individual donors can connect with and make loans as small as $25 to

individual entrepreneurs in developing nations. So far, the power of the small change has raised over $12 million to do everything from buy breeding calves in Azerbaijan to help start grocery stores in Afghanistan. The default rate has been less than half a percent, which means that lenders are doing well by doing good.

MICRO MIND-SETS Products and pursuits are not the only evidence of this burgeoning mini-movement. According to Mark Penn and E. Kinney Zalesne, coauthors of Microtrends, The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow’s Big Changes

From a marketing perspective, niche is novelty; mass is past. Trends, the pair suggest, are being dictated by small groups of like-minded people, thanks to a world of choice (think Starbucks coffee options). Roughly 1 percent of the population, or 3 million to 4 million people, constitute a microtrend and, says Penn, can “be extremely powerful in changing society.” Indeed, he says, “We are changing in small ways.”

(Twelve, 2007), people’s penchants for self-expression and individ-

uality are reshaping society. Aurelia C. Scott writes from Portland, Maine. Her

contributions appear in numerous gardening and historical magazines. Her first book, Otherwise Normal People (Neonat Books, 2007), scleres “the thomy

world of competitive gardening,”

176

ADVERTISEMENT

CLEAR

OVERGROWN

LAND

FAST

with the Amazing DR® FIELD and BRUSH MOWER! POWERFUL! Up to 17 HP...cuts headhigh weeds, brush, even saplings up to

NEW! POWERFUL

2A" thick!

Tow-Behind

models also

THOROUGH! Chops most everything it mows so there’s no leftover tangle

available!

of vegetation! FAST! Mows a path up to 30” wide with 4 speeds! EASY TO USE — with powered wheels,

reverse, lockable differential for amazing traction and easy turning, electric blade

clutch, and electric-start!

Get a FREE DVD and Catalog with complete details including model specifications, low, factory-direct prices, and our 6-Month Risk-Free Trial guarantee!

re 1-800-731-0493 www.DRfieldbrush.com THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

2008 Inc. CHP, ©)

i

s early as the 1630s, well before

A:

country gained its indepen-

dence, colonial housewives were mak-

ing special cakes to celebrate the democratic ideals of their new homeland. After independence in 1776, the celebrations became more elaborate. Voters elected local officials at town meetings in the fall. The results were certified on Election Day in the following May, which became the highlight of a weeklong celebration filled with sporting competitions, parades, parties, and balls. To prepare for the coun-

try dwellers who came to town for the festivities and stayed over, many housewives spent the preceding weeks cleaning their homes and baking cakes. One of those confections, a yeasted fruitcake with a sugar icing, became closely identified with New England. Connecticut historical records from 1771 indicate that the governor’s office paid £5 for that year’s “Hartford Election Cake.” During the 1800s, Election Day coincided with Commencement Day at Harvard University, adding to the air of festivity and lending the cake yet another name—“Commencement Cake.” Prior to the American Revolution,

the cake was sometimes included in cookbooks as “Muster Cake” because it was served to colonial men when they gathered in cities to participate in military training sessions each spring. They spent the days training and the evenings eating, drinking, and socializing. By any name, the cake required expensive and difficult-to-come-by ingredients such as flour, sugar, spices, butter, and dried fruits—all symbols of

colonial independence and personal wealth. (In England, the homeland of many colonists, similar cakes were called “great cakes” and were served only on special occasions such as weddings or at feasts.) Election Day Cake recipes remained popular up through the 1880s. Eventually, yeasted cakes were replaced by recipes that used baking powder or baking soda as a leavening agent. The recipe shown here has been adapted for modern kitchens and uses familiar and easy-to-find ingredients. Although tabulating election results may continue through the wee hours of the morning, we guarantee that this flavorful cake will be declared a winner after just one bite.

For cake: In a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast on the warm water; stir to dissolve. Add 2 teaspoons of sugar and 1’ cups of flour and beat well by hand, or for 2 minutes with an electric mixer at medium speed. Cover and let rise in a warm place until bubbly, about 30 minutes. In a separate bowl, cream the mar-

garine and | cup of sugar until light and fluffy. Set aside. Sift the remaining 3 cups of flour with the salt, cinnamon, cloves, mace, and

nutmeg. When the yeast mixture is bubbly,

1% teaspoons grou

add the eggs to the creamed margarine and

cinnamon /4 teaspoon ground cloves % teaspoon ground mace —

sugar and beat well. Combine with the yeast mixture. Add the flour mixture, a little at a time, beating with a spoon after each addition. Beat until smooth. Stir in the raisins, currants, citron, and nuts. Pour into a well-greased and -floured 10-inch tube pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1'/ hours. Bake at 375°F for about 1 hour. Remove the cake from the oven and cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Turn onto a rack to finish cooling. While slightly warm, spread with confectioners’ sugar icing. For icing: In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar with enough milk to make a mixture of spreading consistency. Add the vanilla and salt and stir until smooth. Makes 12 to 16 servings. ee

179

Food

Winners in the 2008 Ethnic Recipe Contest Caribbean Mango Wraps 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 small yam, peeled and cut into ‘inch cubes (about 1 cup) 2 cloves garlic, minced

1 chile pepper, diced 1 small red bell pepper, diced 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, with liquid juice from 1 orange

> teaspoon salt / teaspoon cumin ‘/s teaspoon cayenne pepper ', teaspoon paprika 4 flour tortillas (10-inch diameter) ‘2 cup mild mango chutney 6 ounces jack cheese, grated

Preheat the oven to 375°F Ina saucepan,

at the oil over medium-high heat and sauté the fresh vegetables for 3 minutes. Add the beans, orange juice, salt, and

spices and bring to a boil. Continue cooking at a slow boil until the liquid is reduced, about 10 minutes. In the center of each tortilla, spread 2 tablespoons of chutney. Top with one-quarter of the vegetable mixture and the cheese. Roll up the wraps and bake for 15 minutes. Makes 4 servings. —Jennifer Burke, San Francisco, California

pi

ira

1 1 1 1

bay leaf teaspoon paprika teaspoon oregano teaspoon ground ginger

¥/, teaspoon cayenne pepper 6 cups broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable) 4 carrots, peeled and chopped into bite-size pieces 3 stalks celery, coarsely chopped 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces 2 plantains, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces

1's cups dried lentils, rinsed and drained 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes,

with liquid

| Heat the oil over medium-high heat ina large pot. Add the meat, season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, stirring frequently. Add the garlic, onions, bay leaf, paprika, oregano, ginger, and cayenne pepper. Cover and cook until the onions are tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add the broth, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook 5 to 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium. Add the plantains, lentils, and crushed tomatoes. Simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked. Makes 6 to 8 servings. —Heather Cave, Kansas City, Missouri

THIRD PRIZE

Caribbean Stew

Smokey Chipotle Gumbo Stew

1 teaspoon olive oil 2 pounds lean ground meat (beef, pork, lamb, turkey, or chicken) salt and pepper, to taste 3 cloves garlic, peeled

1 tablespoon canola oil 4 skinless, boneless, chicken breasts cut into 1-inch chunks

1 or 2 large onions, diced

180

2 medium onions, diced

1 pound fresh or frozen okra, stems and ends removed, cut into 72-inch pieces Find more recipes at Almanac.com. 2009

ADVERTISEMENT

Heat 400 to 1000 sq. ft. for pennies a day with an energy saving

Infra Red Heating System

&

pEBB

ENERGY EFFICIENT: Operates on less than a Mr. Coffee per day.

PORTABLE

— 110 VOLT

Thermostat controlled Over 20 yrs. of satisfied customers Will not reduce humidity or oxygen Filters the air 3 YEAR FACTORY WARRANTY

Dealer Inquiries

Invited Cannot start a fire Safe for children and pets Energy efficient safe, soft, comfortable heat Uses electricity (not gas or oil) Quality compact wood cabinet (NOT PLASTIC OR PARTICLE BOARD)

Put the heat where you need it Even heat wall to wall and floor to ceiling Uncover “The amazing results” documenting the SUNHEAT infrared electronic heating system’s many benefits. To inform you on the SUNHEAT zone concept, we would like to share some back-

ground information with you. The SUNHEAT is remarkably efficient due to its use of the specially developed safe infrared heat chambers. Each chamber utilizes three unique solid copper heat exchangers. Over 25 years of research and field-testing stand behind infrared heat in residential and commercial applications worldwide The best way to describe this system’s potential is to first describe its benefits. The manufacturer has concentrated its design efforts around the three most important consumer benefits of any heating system: economy, comfort, and safety. The resulting performance eannot be outperformed by any other heating system on the market

Our zone area heating concept saves money. Using individually controlled units, the SUNHEAT system provides heat only where and when it is needed for more control over area comfort and energy bills There is lower operating and maintenance cost than conventional heat systems and the SUNHEAT is virtually maintenance free There is no unwanted changing of filters or high prices for replacements since our zone heaters have a lifetime washable filter There are absolutely no bumers to adjust or replace. Long-life industrial infrared commercial quartz tubes are replaced easily and inexpensively. A full three-year warranty, including the new commercial quartz tubes, protects the consumer’s investment, The SUNHEAT does not remove humidity from the air! It actually helps maintain desirable humidity levels. Also, water does not readily collect on the windows as with conventional systems.

Incredibly the SUNHEAT uses 35% less energy than a conventional electric furnace/baseboard system. The SUNHEAT will heat more efficiently than the Heat Pump. When compared with today’s skyrocketing gas, propane, and fuel oil cost, the SUNHEAT zone heater provides unbelievable savings

Due to SUNHEAT’S unique concept, the floors stay warmer since the air is mixed at ground level. This makes the temperature, from floor to ceiling, no more than 2 degrees difference

There is no heat wasted near the ceiling. The unique infrared process virtually prevents the wasteful air layering as with conventional heating systems

air as well as water molecules which do not depend on highspeed airflow.

The SUNHEAT requires no installation and can be plugged into any 110 volt outlet. There is a lower purchase/installation cost per heated square foot than any other system. Our zone heater requires no special 240v wiring or expensive, inefficient ducting, piping or chimney. Home or business owners can install the system with no problem. Simply plug it in.

T&R Distributing 3724 Arch Ave. Grand Island, NE 68803 Family Owned SINCE 1954 2009

This one of a kind system operates as quietly as a whisper! The

SUNHEAT’S efficiency is based on the distribution of energized

Since the outside of the unit does not get hot, you may place this zone heater anywhere you want and not have to worry about problems that space heaters pose. You can set it and forget it! SUNHEAT-never

before has safety, comfort and soft heat been

packaged together in such a remarkable heater.

For Information or your nearest dealer LOCATION: Call 1-800-491-4690 Ext. 260

www.sunheat.com

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

181

Food 2 1 1 1 3

cloves garlic, minced tablespoon sugar tablespoon chicken bouillon powder can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes chipotle chiles from a can of chipotles in adobo sauce, minced 2 tablespoons adobo sauce, from the can 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained 2 tablespoons lime juice

Heat the oil over high heat in a heavy, 4| quart pot. Add the chicken, stirring until it is seared on all sides. Add the onion, stirring until it starts to turn transparent. Turn the heat to medium. Add the okra, garlic, sugar, bouillon, tomatoes, chipotles, adobo sauce, and black beans. Stir. Bring to a boil and simmer over medium heat for 40 minutes. Continue to stir occasionally so that the beans don’t burn on

the bottom of the pot. Add the lime juice, stir, and serve alone or over rice. Makes 4 to 6 servings. —Kay Marie Porterfield, Littleton, Colorado

Pitas Grandma Vallejo’s Arroz Con Pollo (Chicken With Rice) 2 cups rice 1 tablespoon butter or margarine 1 teaspoon saffron 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch chunks

2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon cumin, or to taste 1 tablespoon oregano, or to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 can (14% ounces) chicken broth 1 large onion cut in half and sliced 1 green pepper, cored and julienned 1 can (2% ounces) small olives, drained salt and pepper, to taste 2 cups grated cheddar cheese

| Prepare the rice according to the package directions. Add the butter and saffron to the water with the rice. When cooked, set

aside. While the rice is cooking, place the chicken intoa plastic bag and add the garlic and spices. Shake the chicken in the bag until the seasoning coats the chicken. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a 12-inch frying pan. Add the chicken. Cook until browned on all sides. While that’s cooking, add the cornstarch to the chicken broth and whisk briskly until totally incorporated. Set aside. Add the onions and peppers to the pan and cook until tender yet still crisp. Add the chicken stock mixture and olives. Stir until slightly thickened. Salt and pepper to taste. Place

/2 cup of rice on a plate. Top with % cup of cheese. Spoon a portion of the chicken mixture onto the cheese. Makes 8servings. —Kay Vallejo, Federal Way, Washington

OO ANNOUNCING THE 2009 RECIPE CONTEST

~ Buttermilk Send us your favorite recipe using butter. milk. It must be yours, original, and unpublished. Amateur cooks only, please.

RECIPE AND ESSAY CONTEST RULES Cash prizes (first, $250; second, $150; third, $100) will be awarded for the best recipe using buttermilk and for the best essay on the subject “My Pet’s Best Trick Ever.” All entries become the property of Yankee Publishing, which reserves all rights to the material. The deadline for entries is Friday, January 30, 2009. Label “Recipe Contest” or “Essay Contest” and send to The Old Farmer's Almanac, P.O. Box 520, Dublin, NH, 03444; [email protected]; or [email protected]. Include your name, mailing address, and e-mail address. Winners will be announced in The 2010 Old Farmer’s Almanac and on Almanac.com.

182

Find more recipes at Almanac.com.

2009

9

Do You Need Pea and Bean Shelling Equipment? Whether you’re a small gardener or a professional grower, the famous “Little Sheller” or one of our commercial hullers will take the work out of your pea and bean shelling. These machines are efficient, smooth running, and easy to operate.

FOR FREE BROCHURE WRITE:

TAYLOR MANUFACTURING CO, .,INC. OFAO9 128 Talmadge Dr., Moultrie, GA 31768

(800) 985-5445

Home of the “Little Sheller” for over 42

5 Minutes From Car OMS MEET Takes 3 HP « Holds 2 Adults

Sea Eagle

12’ 4” x 4’6" «75 |b. hull

, FoldCat

Cpaimp

«

£

www.peasheller.com

years

Fone Man Bil ei SAWMILL

INTO CASH! Learn all about TimberKing i QUALITY, HERITAGE & SELECTION when you

et

request our FREE Fact Kit! Economical PERSONAL SIZED 1220 Mill

atented Folding Frame

Carry anywhere in your car trunk and be ready

to fish in minutes! Visit www.SeaEagle.com

Call FREE for CATALOG

ggg.

GMEom oF1068944-7496 Miles

CALL

TOLL

FREE

for FREE

1-800-942-4406

are

or visit www.timberking.com

i:

ere ARMU PRODUCTS PRODUCTS

Walter Brennan - Montana Slim

Eddy Arnold - Carter Family

wDistibutors Distributors Since1987 1984 com COM

and 1000's of other classic CDs, Cassettes and DVDs from the 1920s to the 1970s.

FREE 48 PAGE

CATALOG

8322 oer?

oe MD 21234

*'*

Toll-Free: 800-984-0047 o viex www.themusicbam. com

write to: The Music Barn

YOUR LOGO Hi

P.O. Box 1083-P, Niagara Falls, NY 14304

Dry, Cracked, Itchy, Irritated Skin?

NotAnymore! TI*>CREME" Entire Body and Heels & Soles

of the feet. RUSH payment of $12.98 per jar to: PO Box 248 - Bethany, IL 61914

FREE S&H

NoCOD’s orCredit Cards

BUY TIMESHARES! alee NaS ee 16. 6-8

www.holidaygroup.com/ofa

CUSTOM IMPRINTED: « T-Shirts, Sweatshirts» Basketballs + Golf & Oxford Shirts + Golf Balls + Footballs, Balloons * Soccer Balls Zp) + Baseballs, Ad Buttons: Sports Bottles| 4®R*

+ Volley & Beach Balls + Tote Bags, Caps « Desk Pads, Planners * Calendars, Key Tags * Stationery, Bumper Stickers, Pens, Mugs « Business Cards-Magnetic & Laminated * Memo Books « Juggle & Kick Balls » Yo-yos « Advertising Specialties « Frisbees* Gift Items * Paddie Balls * Stadium Cups &More! Products sold bulk, except theja

Order now & save time & money! 410.664.6260

To order, visit:

Waliet Calendar Carta: item # AR- PLC

Amusement

Winners in the 2008 Essay Contest _ a

My Worst Cooking Disaster My 3-year-old, Evan, was bugging me to make

red Kool-Aid. I had the powder out when the doorbell rang. As I stood talking to my neighbor, Evan yelled to me that he would make it. I kept yelling back, “Wait for me!” When I went back into the kitchen, I saw

that he had poured several cups of the red powder into the pitcher, but there was powder all over the counter and floor. I perched Evan on the counter and put my baby on the rug. As I started to mop the floor, the red powder smeared all over the floor. Then, I slipped on the wet floor, hitting my elbow on the bucket and sending two gallons of red water all over the kitchen. I started yelling, Evan started crying, and the baby crawled into the kitchen and slid into the red water, soaking his clothes red. After about an hour of cleaning up the mess, the baby, and the tears, I went downstairs to retrieve the whites I had just laundered. The red water had dripped through the floor onto my clean white laundry, turning it all pink. Needless to say, Kool-Aid is forbidden in our home to this day.

her face as she brought me the large bowl of mashed potatoes and whispered in my ear that there was something not quite nght about the potatoes. She had noticed some unusual stringy material when she dished up her portion. I took the bowl of mashed potatoes into the kitchen and went through it. To my horror, I realized that the potatoes were mixed with cotton balls! My daughter had had her ears pierced earlier that week, and I had kept a bottle of peroxide and a supply of cotton balls on the counter on top of the canister set in order to help heal her ears. Somehow, the cotton balls had fallen into the pot as I was mashing the potatoes, and I had incorpo-

rated them into the mix. The incident brought a lot of laughter to the table, and I have never forgotten my embarrassment. —Anita Voiles, Hammond, Wisconsin

Afriend had given me her recipe for refrigerated

SECOND PRIZE

yeast rolls, and I was excited to fix them. I followed her directions to the letter. When I took them out of the oven, they had shrunk in size and were rock hard. Not wanting my husband and family to see them, I took them out and tossed them

In 1980, 15 people were seated around our

over the fence into our back pasture. Sev-

dining room table in celebration of our daughter’s First Communion. I had brought the steaming food to the table, and, after saying grace, we passed the dishes. My mother had a strange look on

eral days later, as I was going through my husband’s clothes to wash them, I found one of the rolls. I asked my husband where he had found it, and he said, “As I was feeding the horses the other day, I saw that

—Julie Dobry, Hollywood, Maryland

184

rock and thought it was the smoothest rock I had ever seen. So I took it to work and showed it to the guys.”’ He worked for the phone company and, being in Arkansas, encountered plenty of rocks. I started laughing and finally told him what he had really shown to the guys. This has become a family joke, and after many tries at yeast rolls and bread, I still can not make them. —Carol Fawcett, Gassville, Arkansas

Amusement The toothpicks were peppermint-flavored! Anxious to find a piece of my chicken that might be edible, I cut into different parts of it—but all the chicken, plus the cheese and ham, had been flavored with peppermint. The main course was a disaster. It was completely ruined. I was on the verge of tears when George turned to me and said, “Everything else is delicious. We can eat everything else.” So we finished the rest of the food and still had a romantic New Year’s celebration. —Mari Spanoudis, Willowdale, Ontario

It was New Year's Eve. It was the first time |

was dating my eventual husband, George, and I invited him to dinner. I really wanted to impress him, so I made chicken cordon

ANNOUNCING THE 2009 ESSAY CONTEST TOPIC

bleu from scratch for the first time, using

My Pet’s Best Trick Ever

toothpicks to hold the ham and cheese stuffing in place. It was to bea perfect, elegant, romantic meal. We each took a bite

of the chicken and stopped after one chew.

HAVING

In 200 words or less, please tellus an amusing tale about your pet's best trick. See page 182 for contest rules.

TROUBLE

TOILETING?

Problems twisting, turning or reaching due to...?

¢ Arthritis ¢ ¢ Parkinson's ¢ «Hemorrhoids « ¢ Obesity ° ¢ ¢ Surgery ¢ Cerebral Palsy¢

¢ Back & Hip Pain ¢ Osteoporosis ¢ Dwarfism * Post Polio Amputation ¢ IBS/IBD And MORE! Stroke

MS/MD Injuries Allergies Crohn's

The

PSolution a

mftortSeat Has toileting become painful or difficult7@) We make it EASIER! Our toileting aids allow users

to wash themselves clean with the press of a button.

- NO

PLUMBER

REQUIRED

-

ForMore info cat: 800-611-5515 ext. 653 orvsi: WWW.ComfortSeatFarmers.com

Helps Restore Independence 8 Dignity!

Miscellany

APOTHECARIES’

1 scruple = 20 grains | dram = 3 scruples 1 ounce = 8 drams 1 pound = 12 ounces

1 span = 9 inches 1 foot = 12 inches 1 yard = 3 feet

1 square chain = 16 square rods 1 acre = 10 square chains

1 rod =5// yards

CUBIC

1 mile = 320 rods = 1,760 yards =

1 cubic foot = 1,728 cubic inches

5,280 feet AVOIRDUPOIS

1 ounce = 16 drams 1 pound = 16 ounces 1 hundredweight= 100 pounds 1 ton = 2,000 pounds 1 long ton = 2,240 pounds LIQUID

4 gills = 1 pint 63 gallons = 1 hogshead 2 hogsheads = 1 pipe or butt 2 pipes = | tun DRY

2 pints = | quart 4 quarts = | gallon 2 gallons = 1 peck 4 pecks = | bushel

1 Int. nautical mile =

6,076.1155 feet 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour | fathom = 2 yards = 6feet

1 furlong = '4 mile = 660 feet = 220 yards 1 league = 3 miles = 24 furlongs 1 chain = 100 links = 22 yards SQUARE

1 square foot = 144 square inches 1 square yard = 9 square feet

1 square rod = 30/4 square yards = 272 '/4 square feet 1 acre = 160 square rods = 43,560 square feet

1 square mile = 640 acres =

LINEAR

1 hand = 4 inches

102,400 square rods

| square rod = 625 square links

1 link = 7.92 inches

1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet 1 cord = 128 cubic feet

1 USS. liquid gallon = 4 quarts = 231 cubic inches 1 imperial gallon = 1.20 U.S. gallons = 0.16 cubic foot 1 board foot = 144 cubic inches KITCHEN

3 teaspoons = | tablespoon 16 tablespoons = 1 cup 1 cup = 8 ounces 2 cups = | pint 2 pints = | quart 4 quarts = 1 gallon

TO CONVERT CELSIUS AND FAHRENHET : °C=(CE — 32) x % °F = (°C x %) + 32

Metric Conversions LINEAR

] inch = 2.54 centimeters 1 centimeter = 0.39 inch 1 meter = 39.37 inches 1 yard = 0.914 meter 1 mile = 1.61 kilometers 1 kilometer = 0.62 mile

1 square mile = 2.59 square kilometers 1 square kilometer = 0.386 square mile 1 acre = 0.40 hectare 1 hectare = 2.47 acres CUBIC

SQUARE

1 square inch = 6.45 square centimeters 1 square yard = 0.84 square meter

186

1 cubic yard = 0.76 cubic meter 1 cubic meter = 1.31 cubic yards HOUSEHOLD

’/ teaspoon = 2 mL | teaspoon =5 mL 1 tablespoon = 15 mL

Ys cup = 60 mL Ys cup = 75 mL

2 cup = 125 mL “A cup = 150 mL Ys cup = 175 mL 1 cup =250 mL

1 liter = 1.057 U.S. liquid quarts 1 U.S. liquid quart = 0.946 liter 1 U.S. liquid gallon = 3.78 liters 1 gram = 0.035 ounce 1 ounce = 28.349 grams 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds | pound = 0.45 kilogram

Hungry? Try a recipe from Almanac.com/food.

2009

ADVERTISEMENT

Indiana Firm Discovers:

Special cream for arthritis (SPECIAL)—A small company in central Indiana has developed a special cream that relieves arthritis pain in minutes, even

chronic arthritis pain—deep in the joints. The product which is called PAIN-BUST-R-I], is one of the fastest acting therapeutic formulas ever developed in the fight against arthritis. Immediately upon application it goes to work by penetrating deep to the areas most affected—the joints themselves, bringing fast relief where relief is needed most. Men and women who have suffered arthritis pain for years are reporting incredible results with this product. Even a single application seems to work remarkably well in relieving pain and bringing comfort to cramped, knotted joints. *PAINBUST-R-II was researched and formulated to be absorbed directly into the joints and muscles—where the pain originates. Long-time arthritis sufferers will be glad to know that this formula will help put an end to agonizing days and sleepless nights. It is highly recommended by users who have resumed daily activities and are enjoying life again. 2009

Read what our users have to say:

“J use PAIN BUST because I suffer from tension in my back and shoulders. I can’t praise your product enough, I’ve used other ointments, but they don’t seem to work as fast nor last as long. Thank you. Thank you...Thank you!” C.K.F “Last night when I went to sleep I rubbed some PAIN BUST on my sore aching knee. 15 minutes later I fell sound asleep and woke 8 hours later with absolutely no pain. I wish I knew about PAIN BUST long ago.” B.S.

NO-RISK FREE TRIAL We Trust You — Send No Money! TO ORDER: Just write “PAIN BUSTR-IY’ on a sheet of paper and send it along with your name, address and the number of tubes you wish to order. We will promptly ship you | large tube for $9.90, 2 large tubes for $16.80 (Saves $3) or 3 large tubes for only $21.90 (SAVES $7.80). Prices include all shipping and handling. We will enclose an invoice and if for any reason you don’t agree that PAIN BUST-R-II relieves pain more effectively than anything you’ve tried, simply mark “cancel” on the invoice and there will be no charge to you. You don’t even have to bother returning the merchandise. Act quickly—this offer may not be repeated.

CALL NOW! _ 1-800-451-5773 and ask for offer# OFA-09 or write today to: Continental Quest/Research Corp., 1015 - 3rd Ave SW, Dept. OFA-09, Carmel, IN 46032 ©2008 Continental Quest/Research Corp.

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

187

Husbandry

tock Answers by Andrea Curry

Husbandry

Mini-Moos Modern mini-bovines are descendants of 18thand 19th-century stock, but with many breeds averaging under 600 pounds and standing less than 42 inches tall at the hip, these cows are bred to be smaller than their ancestors.

Appeal: “Most people who get these want the old-fashioned milk cow,” says Rick Kabara of Waynesfield, Ohio, who

breeds and sells mini-Jerseys with his wife, Joanie.

Temperament: From shy and retiring to extroverted and attention-seeking. Their size makes them less intimidating to children; a 7-year-old can milk a

=—s«55-6 mos. or 250 Ibs. | 250-300 Ibs. Doe goat 10 mos. or 85-90 Ibs.

6 6

507 / 35-407

Buck goat

Well matured

5

30

:

16-18 mos. 12-16 mos.

8 8

8-10

tna /

6-8

|

Sow Boar

_

Bitch Male dog Queencat

—

6

12 mos.

6

12 mos. 6 mos.

6 5-6

Buck rabbit _

6 mos.

a

pes =|

{279-2907 262-3008

=

;

Tomcat Doerabbit

| 310-370

40-454/Record 2525 |

115

| 110-120

150

| 145-155

58-67 63

60-68

ey

30-32

30

'For fine wool breeds. *Hand-mated. *Pasture. Natural. ‘Artificial. ‘Holstein and beef: 750 Ibs.; Jersey: 500 Ibs. "Beef: 8-10 days shorter for Angus. ee

oo

Paidof Pouta)

Maximum LifeSpan ofAnimals in

Chicken ....0..- 6.

Duck.

:

Captivity syners)

:

Cat (domestic) ......

Chicken (domestic) . .

Se

Dog (domestic)........ oe

Estral/Estrous Cycle (including heat period)

fi

:

Length of Estrus (heat)

AVERAGE

RANGE

AVERAGE

21 days

10-37 days

5-6 days

Goose (domestic).... Soe

.

Home

i

2-11 days

Usual Time of

1-Sdays

24-48 hours before |

{ 30-36 hours after

Se : Bitch

Cat

194

2-3 days

21 days

18-24 days

|18 hours

: 24 days

1-4 days 10-24 hours

i

Near end of estrus : i 10-12 hours after

end of estrus

16-30 days

:

15-21 days

: firstacceptance & i i 3-4 days, | 9-10 days, in i 24-56 hours after coitus = ifmated | absence of male i

7 days

5-9 days

21 days 21 days

Start of estrus

end of estrus 18-24 days

é

:: | 12-24 hours before | ;

24-32 hours

21 days

When Cycle Recurs If Not Bred

end of estrus

i

- 1614 days

+ 18+

abhi

i i

162

Rabbi

RANGE

2idays | 18-24days |g 2-3days |

Duck (domestic) Goat (domestic) ..........0. 20

: 1-3 days after

Find the best days to breed animals on page 232.

16 days

' ' : =

21 days 21 days

i E » Pseudo-pregnancy

|

| Pseudo-pregnancy i

2009

9

ADVERTISEMENT

Diabetic Nerve Pain? Post-Shingles Pain? Chronic Nerve Pain?

¢ Applied topically

¢ Works in minutes

- Clinically tested ¢ 70% of users

N CQUulad g QA?

erortrelie

¢ No disruptive

Fast Relief from Nerve Related Pain

side effects

Available in leading pharmacies across North America In the USA: Neuragen PN UPC: 851877000484 (Homiopathic)

www.neuragen.com

2009

In Canada: Neuragen RL UPC: 851877000026

| www.neuragen.ca THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

_

ss

&

Origing BioM

195

Gardening

Vee, ERE 9 -goconcesnononsnoneoceccenagcns

PAS

S|!

cconnsnneantensncacoaecoscenensocnsnesnsnensoetet sesouoneecenengot

ON

LEILA

EEE ARI INES

M,"E™ Es Tas SILICO HEI ELI

RR

By the end of the 2007 growing season, _ McMurray had grown and frozen (a new

technique for him) the seeds of more than” 400 tomato varieties from his collection.

yuoneeentgoconenmeecenoonane

B°Y..B-RIDA-NOO BE LL anadian Dan McMurray is at the

leading edge of the international groundswell of “tomatophiles” seeking to preserve tomato seed varieties and protect plant diversity. “If we don’t grow them and swap seeds around, they’re going to disappear,” he says. Since 2002, this former lighthouse keeper has collected and cataloged 1,500 heirloom and open-pollinated (stable)

3 =

tomato seed varieties, including 400 that are classified as rare, at his home in

Wynndel in the Creston Valley area of | southeastern British Columbia.

He gets the seeds by swapping with like-minded souls around the world. Oc-

casionally, he and his wife, Val, just give seeds away. “After you grow yours out, you save seed from it and pass it on to somebody else. Then you’ve paid me back,” he says. The couple wants to ensure that future |

generations experience the taste of as many of the estimated 5,000 to 10,000 tomato varieties as possible. “Probably the most sought-after taste is what everybody refers to as the ‘old tomato’ taste,” » Dan McMurray tends to one of his hundreds ar says McMurray. _ tomato plants. 196

—

Gardening

- On his 1-acre property, McMurray has ___ two dozen 30- to 70-foot rows. He expects _ to harvest no Jess than 10 pounds offruit

~ from each of his plants, but he gets 25> pounds on average—and sometimes as much as 45, In 2007, his total harvest was over 4.000:pounds; his

| &>

aa

a

=

& '

Gardening

|

6

How to Grow a

biggest harvest was in 2006, when he picked exactly 4,181 pounds 3 ounces. conreocennoenaninennetson roca o mumno opne aN eeceINERR LRA PEL EOLA The McMurrays eat (OR EVEN JUST A FEW POUNDS) 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of tomatoes a year, including an McMurray believes that there is no secret to what Val has canned and D growing tomatoes: “If you’re getting fruit from frozen and the quart-or-so them and it tastes good, you really can’t be doing too of pure, pulp-rich, homemuch wrong.” Here are a few things that he does right. made tomato juice that McMurray drinks each day. THE SOIL. McMurray tills the soil 6 to 10 days before (He speaks of the juice as he plants and in the fall after the plants are ripped out. though it is fine wine, citing He shuns chemical fertilizers, preferring to dig aged varieties, blends, and vin- |horse manure into the soil and cover it with a light layer tages.) They give away alot | of mulch in the spring. A side dressing of manure, from of fresh tomatoes but never _ which the plants’ roots can easily access nutrients later

accept money. for them. “If TORR | insummer, is laid out parallel to each plant row. Worms NON

J Start: selling, then itstops i gradually work this into the bed. e:

mt s