Yesterday, good old furry Phil saw his shadow, indicating we're in for another six weeks of Winter. When and why did we start this groundhog tradition? And did he really see his shadow? I watched the ceremonies on the news last night, and I didn't see him turn around or glance over his shoulder to see a shadow. Whatever happened to just pulling out the trusty old Farmer's Almanac?
According to the almanac, which farmer's have relied on since the late 1700's, there are 20 signs of a hard winter ahead:
1) thicker than normal corn husks
2) woodpeckers sharing a tree (and let me tell you, they don't share anything!)
3) early arrival of the Snowy Owl
4) early departure of geese and ducks
5) early migration of the Monarch butterfly
6) thick hair on the nape of the cow's neck (applies to horses and donkeys too!)
7) heavy and numerous fogs during the month of August
8) raccoons with thick tails and bright bands
9) mice eating ravenously into the home (we set traps earlier than usual this year)
10) early arrival of crickets on the hearth
11) spiders spinning larger than usual webs and entering house in great numbers (ick)
12) pigs gathering sticks (really?)
13) insects marching a bee line rather than meandering
14) early seclusion of bees within the hive
15) unusual abundance of acorns and walnuts (I can attest to this at our house!)
16) Muskrats burrowing holes high on the river bank
17) "See how high the hornet's nest, 'twill tell how high the snow will rest"
18) narrow orange bank in the middle of the Woolybear caterpillar warns of heavy snow
19) Squirrels gathering nuts early to fortify against a hard winter
20) frequent halos or rings around the sun or moon forecast numerous snow falls
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