Monthly Archives: October 2009
Golden Autumn
The leaves are changing quickly here in Ohio. This was taken at Slate Run Farm and Park outside of Columbus.
Old farm windmill
Besides the ubiquitous red barn, nothing conjures up memories of a farm than the windmill. Used primarily to pump water for livestock, it was also a good indicator of approaching weather storms. These days, windmills are used to generate electricity. Harnessing the wind is cheap and green. The farmer of times gone by knew the importance of the wind to the survival of his farm. Maybe the world needs to step back in time and realize that our ancestors may have been smarter then we are today.
Wooly Isabella
Using wooly worms (Pyrrharctia isabella) to predict Winter is old American folklore that traces its history back to early Americana. Supposedly, Native Americans taught the pioneers to read wooly worms to predict Winter weather. Wooly worm is the common name for the larval stage of the Isabella Tiger Moth. They are also called wooly bears.
Wooly worm forecasters say that the size of the brown band of color will tell you what kind of Winter is coming. Legend says that the thinner the brownish red bands, the harsher the Winter will be. If the wooly worm is mostly brownish red in the middle, Winter will be mild.
Based on the wooly worm above, I am predicting a mild to normal snowfall this Winter. And no, I did not name my daughter after this wooly worm!