Beginning this month our newsletter is going to feel more like a friendly letter sharing some of the new stories, hints, recipes and whatnot currently peppering our websites. As always, if you have something
to share please email us at newsletter@farmersalmanactv.com
ARE WE HOT YET?
I don't know what
it's like where you live, but here in the Southeast, it is sizzling!
The term “dog days of summer” comes to mind. And, of course, dog days of summer actually has meaning beyond just "It's so hot I'm panting".
According to the Farmers' Almanac,
the dog days of summer are the period between July 3 and August 11. It's during
this time that the sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the Dog
Star. It was once believed that due to the star's position at this time
of year that it somehow conspired with the sun to make the days hotter. Many
people also believed that the hot days of the summer caused dogs to go mad, thus
the name.
Even being outside for a few minutes right now seems to produce a sunburn.
Visit our natural
cures area for a great remedy for the mean effects
of those UV rays.
Don’t get me wrong, I love summer. Summer foods are a treat, corn on the cob, for instance, dripping in
melted butter and sprinkled with salt. Even
back in 1850 folks were enjoying this summertime pleasure .
Now that
hurricane season is here, I think I need to follow
the advice I have been given and keep a full tank of gas in my car in case of evacuations. On rainy days I have been enjoying RENO'S OLD TIME MUSIC FESTIVAL on Blue Highways TV. It's fantastic bluegrass music, be sure and check it out!
The garden is looking great in the heat, so much in bloom! However a
friend is having a problem
with his local deer.
I've grown tomatoes from seed this year, Progressive
Farmer has an informative article on various
ways to tie your tomatoes to obtain maximum height. Once you’ve picked those yummy ripe tomatoes,
try a delicious chilled
soup that originated in the Andalusian region of Spain, Gazpacho Soup. Completing the mise en scene
of the yard are the varieties of birds I can name and more
that I hope to attract.
Call me old fashioned, but this page from a 1967 Farmers Almanac makes a lot of sense to me!
July is picnic month! Find a peaceful spot, pack some goodies and enjoy this summer activity that folks have been doing for years!
And for all of you Grafters out there, we have a new 5 minute instructional
video on old fashioned grafting techniques. It's the first of hundreds of clips you'll soon be able to view for free!
Jane Scarlett
Guest Editor
P.S.
Is Earth closer to the sun in the summer than it is in winter?
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