Jan. 9-15, 2012 Then blow, Winds, blow! And rave and shriek, And snarl and snow Till your breath grows weak - While here in my room I’m as snugly shut As a glad little worm In the heart of a nut! -James Whitcomb Riley, “Winter Fancies”
Lunar phase and lore
The Camel Back Cricket Moon wanes throughout the period, coming into its final quarter on Jan. 16 at 4:08 a.m. Rising in the night and setting in the day, the fourth-quarter moon moves overhead near dawn, making mornings the best lunar time for hunting, fishing, feeding children and livestock (but the worst times for dieting). Lunar influence is enhanced as the barometer falls in advance of cold fronts due around Jan. 19 and 25. The moon’s position in Scorpio on Jan. 16-18 favors the forcing of tulips, crocus and daffodils indoors for late winter blooms.
Weather patterns
Weather history for the second week of January shows rapidly increasing odds for colder weather. Chances for highs only in the teens increase to nearly 50 percent on Jan. 14. Below-zero readings occur most often on Jan. 9 and 11.
With a general increase in the cold, skies have fewer clouds, and Jan. 12-13 bring a 60 percent chance for sun. The darkest day of the week is usually Jan. 14, with only a 35 percent chance for clearing. Precipitation occurs two years out of three between Jan. 12-14.
Zeitgebers for this week include the increasing frequency of cardinal and titmouse song in the morning, the occasional call of a blue jay, the appearance of pileated woodpeckers at feeders as nesting time gets under way, the cracking of a few pussy willow catkins, the falling of the prickly sweet gum seed balls and an allergic response by some people to pollen from pine trees.
Daybook
Jan. 9: Today is full moon day; be alert for “full moon madness” in friends, children, parents, business associates, significant others, pets and livestock.
Jan. 10: Livestock and people may be more likely to give birth when the moon is overhead in the afternoon (during its first quarter), in the evening (during the second lunar quarter), after midnight (during the third lunar quarter) or in the morning (during the fourth lunar quarter).
Jan. 11: The major lambing and kidding season begins as January progresses: more lambs and kids are born in the next eight weeks than in any other months. However, as the moon wanes through its third quarter, most abortions in livestock and humans are said to occur.
Jan. 12: By this time in the year, pollination of pine trees in the South can cause an allergic response in some folks in the North, as Gulf winds move up under the influence of both low- and high-pressure systems. Yellow perch are often caught throughout the month in lakes and reservoirs. In the muddy Ohio River, sauger are biting.
Jan. 13: Pruning is recommended for the next two weeks as the moon wanes. Also, take cuttings to propagate shrubs, trees and houseplants; they should do well as the days lengthen. In sunniest gardens, snowdrops have come up, some with their pale white tips showing.
Jan. 14: Early fall treatment of livestock for lice may not be enough to keep your herd free from parasites this winter. Heavy lice infestations can decrease weight gains dramatically, and they especially threaten the health of pregnant animals. Investigate the use of a systemic organophosphate pesticide to reduce the need for spraying during cold weather. Then treat all your animals at once, and check them again in three weeks to see if lice eggs have hatched and reinfected the herd.
Jan. 15: Tomorrow’s weak moon (entering its fourth quarter) favors working with livestock. When you are outside, reevaluate your hay supply for nutrient levels.
Unless you know the quality of your forage, it is difficult to make sound management decisions concerning the amount of supplements to provide your animals. And – besides genes – nutrients are the most important part of developing your herd or flock. |
