By Bill Felker I sing the cycle of my country’s year, I sing the tillage, and the reaping sing – Vita Sackville-West
Astronomical Data and Lore The Snow Flea Moon waxes throughout the period, becoming full at 2:16 p.m. on Jan. 28. Rising before midnight and setting in the middle of the morning, this moon passes overhead, encouraging fish to bite and skunks to wander in the middle of the night. The approach of the last two cold fronts of January should increase fish and animal activity. As January wanes, Orion moves more westerly in the mid evening, and to the upper left of that vast group of stars, past Castor and Pollux, the stars of Cancer follow. After Cancer, and shaped like a sickle, comes Leo, easily found since Regulus, now the strongest star in the eastern sky, is its leading edge. Early mornings in late January bring May’s planting star, Arcturus, overhead. The sun’s declination passes 17 degrees 30 minutes at the end of January, one quarter of the way to spring equinox, just as the final weather system of January arrives.
Weather Trends This is a pivotal time in the progress of the season: from now on, there is at least a 10 percent chance every day of the high reaching 50. After the January thaw period, the likelihood of cooler conditions increases briefly, making the 25th and 26th some of the crueler days of the month. And although the 31st can bring subfreezing temperatures 40 percent of the time, that day introduces the possibility of a high in the 60s for the first time since January 7. The 30th is the cloudiest day in the second half of January, with 70 percent chance for overcast conditions and precipitation. It is typically the first day of the Groundhog Day Thaw, which often lasts until Feb. 3.
Zeitgebers (Events in Nature that Tell the Time of Year) The Season of Cardinal and Dove Mating Song coincides with the Season of Robin and Bluebird Migration toward the end of January, announcing, at the same time, the very first blossoms of aconites and snowdrops in the warmest microclimates of the Lower Midwest and the Middle Atlantic regions. This is the first week of Late Winter, a season that contains five to six major cold fronts and lasts from Jan. 26 through Feb. 18. Late winter usually improves pasture conditions in the Gulf region, wildflowers come in to bloom there, and leaves begin to appear on deciduous trees. Along country roads, road kills attest to the increasing nighttime activities of skunks and opossums.
Countdown to Spring • Just a few days until cardinals start to sing before dawn; • One week until doves join the cardinals, and maple sap flows; • Two weeks until the first red-winged blackbirds arrive in the wetlands; • Three weeks to the first snowdrop bloom and the official start of Early Spring; • Four weeks to crocus season and major pussy willow emerging season; • Five weeks to the beginning of the morning robin chorus before sunrise; • Six weeks to daffodil time; • Seven weeks to the start of the major wildflower bloom; • Nine weeks until the yellow blossoms of forsythia bushes appear; • Nine weeks to tulip season; • Ten weeks until pears, apples and peaches come into flower. Mind and Body S.A.D. Index readings that measure seasonal stress on a scale from 1 to 100 decline throughout much of the period as the full moon wanes and the likelihood of mild weather increases near Groundhog Day, Feb. 2. Lunar perigee on Feb. 3, however, keeps the Index in the 80s, and the chances of winter blahs remain high. For full S.A.D. statistics, consult Poor Will’s Almanack for 2021.
In the Field and Garden The first week of February lies in the moon’s third quarter this year, and mammals favor that lunar phase for giving birth. Check your records: animals that gave birth last year after full moon might do it again. Traditional supplements to ward off abortion in livestock include rose hips, hawthorn berries, raspberry leaves, tansy leaves and hollyhock root. Herbs to help with birthing: peppermint, thyme and chamomile. Traditional supplements may best be administered from a browse garden. Include browse seeds when you order for the vegetable and flower garden. Explore the possibilities of selling lambs and kids to people from the Dominican Republic. Their Independence Day is Feb. 27. Check roots of gladiolus and other tender bulbs for decay and mold. Prepare landscaping, garden and field maps, including plans for double cropping, intercropping and companion planting. To improve the condition of a rundown animal, old-time lore suggest mixing a small but steady amount of dill, fennel, anise and celery seeds with their feed. While you are waiting for the animals to be born, plan your victories at the state fair: blue ribbons are the result of consistent your-round management and training.
Almanack Classics The Wise Sheriff By Namoi Bliss, Switzerland County, Ind. When I was growing up, our family lived two blocks from the town square in Scottsburg, Ind. In the center of the square were the county courthouse, two outhouses, and a coal shed. Large maple trees were abundantly scattered throughout the rest of the square. Most of the small town’s business establishments were houses facing the square, with a few places angling off. The post office was on one of those off streets. It was a small solid building and the center of activity several times a day when the Pennsylvania railroad train brought in the mail. One night long after midnight, Mama came to my bed and shook me awake. She whispered: “There’s a fire. Let’s go.” It was Mama’s habit to go to all the fires. I usually tagged along. I quickly dressed and joined her on the front porch. The sky was red, and we could hear the hooves of many horses. We walked quietly towards the square. Suddenly in front of us a horse appeared. On his back was a man holding a long gun. Mama pulled me to her, and we stood silently until he was gone. Then we darted across the road into the courthouse yard. There in the darkness, we were soon aware that we were not alone. As our eyes adjusted to the darkness, we could see that several people were crouched behind the maple trees. Without a sound, we found a hiding place, for we knew something bad was afoot, and that we must not be detected. As we hid there, we could see horsemen riding around the square. We could hear the roar of fire and see the flames and sparks. Then there was a giant explosion. We shivered and I began to cry. With Mama’s arms around me, we remained by the tree, too afraid to venture out. Finally, the horsemen, perhaps as many as 50 riders, gave a great whoop and galloped away. As the town grew quiet, first one and then another person moved out from among the trees. No one knew just what had happened, but before long, the streets around the town were full of people and lights. And then we knew. A band of robbers had entered town, set fire to buildings adjoining the post office. Then they broke into the office, blew up the safe and made off with the money. The sheriff formed a posse to ride after the robbers. But as I recall, they were never caught. I heard Mama say later that she didn’t think the sheriff much wanted to catch up with the robbers. He was one of our friends hiding behind a tree in the courthouse yard!
Answers To Last Week’s Sckrambler In order to estimate your Sckrambler IQ, award yourself 15 points for each word unscrambled, adding a 50-point bonus for getting all of them correct. If you find a typo, add another 15 points to your IQ. NORB BORN NROC CORN ONRH HORN RONSC SCORN RAWN WARN NOTR TORN NRDAO ADORN NROHTKCUB BUCKTHORN HEDNOR DEHORN IAEONRBR AIRBORNE
This Week’s Rhyming Sckrambler ELSPE LBEEP APEH EHCPE EKEP PPEE TESPE WESEP EEPV PEES Order Poor Will’s Almanack for 2021 and receive The Weather Book free. For your autographed copies, send $20 (includes shipping and handling) to Poor Will, P.O. Box 431, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387. Copyright 2021 - W. L. Felker
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