We’ve all heard how important it is to eat a diet high in roughage. Likewise, “roughaging” (spending time outdoors) is essential to our mental health. Even if it’s a settee on the porch, we need it, gotta have it. I aim to be the reason you pulled your bedding out the back door last night.
I’m a sucker for old wives’ tales and lore galore. Expressions that have been passed down through the ages are a kick to ponder, and I’ve found there’s often a kernel of truth to be found at the heart of sayings that seem silly or steeped in superstition.
One of the most fun—and most useful—categories of old-fashioned adages is weather prediction. There are probably as many weather proverbs floating around out there as there are snowflakes in a blizzard, don’t you think? Despite the increasing reliability of meteorology, I see no reason why we shouldn’t keep these snippets of time-tested lore aloft. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that people …
Marge Hofknecht says: I heard that when cows are lying down on the ground, that’s a sign that rain is on the way.
One of my favorites has always been the woolly worms as a predictor of how “bad” winter is going to be. They are normally black with a brown stripe around their middle, and the smaller the brown stripe, the worse the weather will be. This year and last they have been all black, which does not bode well for us (even though it’s 60 degrees here in Missouri as I write this). If you’re interested in pics of this little guy, I’ve got some on my blog at http://crankypuppy.blogspot.com/2011/10/caterpillar-says.html.
The one about the red sky is out of the Bible.
Matt 16:2-3
He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
Iris Beckford says: My favorite ” Cat’s on the brain, there’s sure to be rain”. I often find my cats sleeping upside down or on the brain just before it rains
“When the snowbirds come, next comes the snow.”…or something like that. The idea is that snowbirds, (juncos), only show up before a snow. I don’t know where they come from or why, but I’ve noted this to be at least fairly true…The cute little things are definitely winter birds here on the eastern side of Virginia, but I never see them unless it’s really cold or we’re about to have snow. This year, I haven’t seen a single one, and the weather’s been quite a bit warmer here than usual…not a flake of snow.
… a photo of Jack Frost.
We rarely have hoarfrost (also called pruina—a chalky, crystalline bloom) before we have a blanket of snow covering the fields. The result has been a …
Oh, the Palouse is so beautiful! I was a student in Moscow in the mid-80s, and loved living there. Thank you for the visual feast and reminders of a good place.
Susie says: Beautiful! We just had some very frosty days like your experiencing on our litlle Island off of Vancouver, B.C. It was magical.
Melisa Janiuk says: Beautiful vista.
Lauren says: That is breathtaking! We’ve had snow on the ground already here, but it’s since melted, but I’m sure it’ll be back!
You have yourself one beautiful spread! I’m packing my bags now and I’m moving in! ;P
Eileen Widman says: The other part of this kind of frost, at least here in the Olympic mountain area is the crunchy frozen soil that gets pushed up by the freezing moisture in the ground and looks like little frozen trees. When you step down you sink about 1/2 inch into a pleasant CRUNCH!!! Fun!
mary says: loved learning what the film is around the grapes i am always neglecting to clean off before popping in my mouth!loved all the frozen shots,especially the pod all by itslef in closeup. thank yo
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Wow. I talk to my Jersey, Buttercup, but that’s it. 😉
Did just get back from time outdoors. I went and chopped down our Christmas tree alone and dragged it the mile home. The best thing about Idaho is being outside!
MaryJane says: I would say you’ve have the perfect day in Paradise!
Eileen Widman says: I loved it the first time I saw it and I still love it!
Eileen
Shery says: This made me smile ear to ear. Just goes to show you that EVERYone loves good music. The audience didn’t interrupt and they obviously loved ‘all that jazz’. Thank you so much for posting this !!
Our girl Maizy is about to pop, as in birth her first calf, so she’s fenced in during the day and put into a warm barn at night. Just in case.
Have I considered taking my sleeping bag down there? I have. But …
June Sparks says: Love cow kisses!!
mary says: has Maizy calved yet?if so what?
there’s nothing cuter in this world than a new baby calf!
MaryJane says: No, she hasn’t. I was just down checking on her again. Today Kim had her ear on Maizy’s stomach (not sure why, just checking in I guess) and the calf kicked that very spot! I must add that Maizy is soooo gentle and loving right now. She wants to be touched all over and scratched and brushed. If she weren’t so big, I think she’d crawl into my lap and purr. Pretty adorable.
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Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
What a pretty picture! It makes me feel all warm and cozy! Makes me want to go Glamping!!