By Verbalist Richard Lederer | From the 2010 Edtion of Farmers’ Almanac The poet Carl Sandburg wrote, “The fog comes in on little cat feet.” So does a large litter of our words and expressions. Whatever their ups and downs throughout history, cats have usually landed on their feet and have left their paw prints

Quick Reference The rule: split a ripe persimmon seed in half. The white shape inside is one of three: a fork (mild winter), a spoon (heavy snow), or a knife (cold and icy). Origin: Appalachian and Southern U.S. folk tradition, recorded since at least the early 1800s. Specific to American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), not Asian

Full Moons are mysterious, magical, and important ways to mark the passage of time. Each month, the Farmers’ Almanac celebrates the monthly full Moon noting their traditional and alternative names (Sturgeon Moon, Beaver Moon, Harvest Moon, etc.). Most of these names come from the Algonquin, a Native American peoples that once inhabited large areas of

When Is The First Day of Fall 2025? The first day of fall 2025 arrives with the fall equinox on Monday, September 22, 2025, 2:19 p.m. What Is The Fall Equinox? In mid-September each year, we greet the fall season with the arrival of the fall equinox (otherwise known as the autumnal equinox). This is

Centuries ago, the human race stink, stank, and stunk. The road to personal hygiene was a long one, but thank goodness we’ve arrived! Read on to learn how to make soap—as well as its bizarre history! It’s truly scent-sational. Today, soap is a $22 billion industry worldwide and 13 billion bars are sold in the

In the heat of summer, brilliant blooms of larkspur color the landscape across the northern hemisphere. As the traditional July month birth flower, larkspur is synonymous with summer, but it also has surprisingly rich folklore and symbolism that make it meaningful and far more than just a pretty flower. Along with the alternative July birth

Quick Reference Why a rooster: the rooster became the symbol of St. Peter after the Last Supper passage in which he denied Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Who put it there: Pope Gregory I called the rooster “the most suitable symbol for Christianity” between 590 and 604 AD. Pope Nicholas made it official

Love leatherback sea turtles? If you live in Florida, Texas, or another southern coastal state, consider volunteering to help save the sea turtles! Even if you aren’t on the coast, there are still ways to make a difference. Here is everything you need to know, including helpful links to get started as well as turtle

Last year, a rare “double brood” of cicadas emerged for the first time in 200 years. But how about this year? When are cicadas coming back? Will one or two broods emerge, and what does this mean for your gardens? How many US states will be affected, and—most importantly—how can you minimize the deafening noise

Throughout history, different cultures have assigned symbolic meanings to various bird species. In recent times, the concept of birth month birds has gained popularity, associating each month with a specific bird and its unique symbolism. These feathered friends offer insights into personality traits and aspirations, linked to zodiac signs and astrological influences. Which birth month