Old October’s purt’ nigh gone,

And the frosts is comin’ on

Little heavier every day. — James Whitcomb Riley

The Fourth Week of Middle Fall

Astronomical Data and Lore

The Corn and Soybean Harvest Moon waxes throughout the week, reaching apogee, its position farthest from Earth at 1:47 p.m. on Oct. 30 and becoming a Blue Moon (the second full moon in a month) on Oct. 31 at 9:50 a.m. Rising in the evening and setting in the morning, this moon passes overhead in the middle of the night, encouraging fish and game to be more active, especially as the cold fronts of October 30 and November 2 approach.

Daylight Savings Time begins at 2a.m. on November 1.

Weather Trends

After Halloween, the odds for decent temperatures plummet. In all November, there is an average of only one or two days in the 70s, just six in the 60s and only eight in the 50s. That makes just half the month with moderate afternoons, and many of those fall within the first ten days of the month. The danger of frost remains similar to that of the third week in October; about one night in three receives temperatures in the upper 20s or lower 30s. But by this late in the season, the chances of a hard freeze have risen past 50 percent, and the odds get better each night for killing lows.  

Notes on the Progress of the Year

The chemical changes in the foliage that became noticeable in Early Fall accelerate until the fragile landscape turns all at once. Shagbark hickories, maples, sweet gums, oaks, sassafras, and sycamores reach peak color. Black walnuts, locusts, buckeyes, box elders, hackberries, pussy willows, ashes and cottonwoods are almost bare. Blueberry bushes are completely red. Vineyards are yellow and brown, only a few grapes left. Some ginkgoes are pale golden green, some just a little faded. Large patches of sky shine through the tattered canopy.

In the cooler, wetter nights, crickets and katydids are weakening. Only a few swallowtails and fritillaries visit the garden, and just a few fireflies glow in the grass. Out in the fields, almost all the wildflowers have gone to seed. Wild cucumber fruits are dry and empty. Wild asparagus yellows by the roadsides. The final sedum blossoms close. 

Quickweed still provides a deep green border to the paths, and a few lance-leaf and zigzag goldenrod still hold. Pink smartweed keeps blossoming, and catchweed flowers again. Impatiens, petunias and geraniums that have escaped the frost still bloom, along with the hardier mums and pansies. 

Some years, houseflies still get in the back door. The last crickets sing in the milder afternoons and nights. Small moths play in the sun. The goldfinches have lost all their bright plumage; they are brown for winter.

As foliage thins, eastern phoebes, catbirds, turkey vultures and house wrens depart. Vast flocks of robins are fluttering, chattering, whinnying, and moving south through the high trees along the river valleys.

Starlings cackle and whistle in the Osage. The last cabbage butterflies look for cabbages. The last daddy longlegs hunt in the flowerbeds. At night, crickets fill in for the silent katydids. Cattails begin to break apart. The last raspberries of the year redden in the sun. 

In the Field and Garden

Clear away stalks of perennials and annuals after frost. Review the success of your garden between the first snowdrops and the final goldenrod and asters. Think about which areas and which months need more work. Consider using annuals to keep color after perennial blooming is complete. 

Begin major watering of shrubs and trees through mid-November in order to provide plantings full moisture for the winter months.

Farmers have planted almost all their winter wheat, and apple pickers have picked almost every fall apple. Asparagus yellows in the garden.

Wrap new trees with burlap to help them ward off winter winds. Complete fall field and garden tillage before November rains.

As you plan your outdoor activities for the month, expect five to six completely clear days in November, ten or eleven partly cloudy days, and about 13 mostly or completely cloudy ones. Between ten and 14 days are suitable for field work, six to ten days with temperatures above 60. November 1 through 7 is the warmest time of the month, and often the driest.

ALMANACK LITERATURE

Angels in Crooked Halos 

By Betty J. Osborn, Covington, IN

Wanting to keep current on the latest news, I read many sources. One such article stated, “Do not kiss your chickens. They can spread salmonella.” 

Well, “DUH!” Who would kiss a chicken? 

I soon found out when I stopped at our son’s home. Around from the garage comes a most precocious blond-haired great-graddaughter holding, snuggling, kissing a chicken.

 Coming straight to Grandma.

“Stop!” I cry.

She continues to advance. 

“Stop, really! Grandma doesn’t like chickens!”

One more step and she stops. Then from around the car comes little sister. Holding another chicken.

“Stop! Stop! No closer! Grandma doesn’t like chickens!”

With a wicked grin, the three-year-old advances on Grandma. Still holding her chicken.

I will say: Grandma, chicken and great-granddaughter all survived.

But in conclusion, I will also say that I do like chicken. Chicken salad, fried or in casseroles.

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Poor Will is still running out of stories! Send yours to him at P.O. Box 431, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387 or to poorwill@poorwillsalmanack.com. You’ll receive $5.00 payment if your story appears in this column.

***

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.

LSSEIM SMILES

SELIM MILES

LESIG GILES

IESLT TILES

PSLIE PILES

YESSTL STYLES

IAESSL AISLES

DALIS DIALS

ERILS RILES

FLSIE FILES

This Week’s Rhyming Sckrambler

AAEIBLM

BLEENA

ROCPURELBIT

ELBARAPERIR

LILELBGU     

OAELBD

EAEALBRB

BAYLAEL

IRIVECOBLEL

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Poor Will’s Almanack for 2021 is now available. This year’s Almanack contains detailed descriptions of all 48 seasons of the year and 30 Almanack Literature stories. Order from Amazon or purchase an autographed copy by sending a check for $20.00 to Poor Will, P.O. Box 431, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387.