E X T R A ! FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC APPLE TIME! WHEN FROST THREATENS YOUR GARDEN PUMPKIN RECIPES THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING FINGERS OCTOBER 2017 They don't even know the power's out. Because a Cummins backup generator is ppoowweerriinngg this bedtime snack and yyoouurr peace of mind. So lliiffee goes on. Electrical power lines are more vulnerable than ever. With a Cummins standby generator, you can safeguard against outages and have peace of mind. Call your authorized Cummins dealer today so you are prepared for tomorrow. Learn more at powertohomes.com Cummins Connect Series home standby generators Powering your life. s s CONTENTS s FEATURES LIVING NATURALLY Apple Time! WEATHER GARDENING FORECASTS When Frost Threatens How We Make Our Your Garden Predictions October U.S. FOOD Pumpkin Recipes and Canadian Weather Forecasts ANNIVERSARY Weather Update The Mystery of the ASTROLOGY Missing Fingers Best Days to WIT Do Things Humor Me DEPARTMENTS Gardening by the Grins and groans from the Almanac Moon’s Sign CALENDAR WHAT’S NEXT Holidays, History, ASTRONOMY See what we have Sky Map for October and Folklore for in store for our October November issue! HOT PRODUCTS Cool Fall Finds! COVER PHOTO: MAKS NARODENKO/SHUTTERSTOCK s s CALENDAR s The month of october Holidays, History, and folklore Almanac 225th Anniversary Time Capsule OCTOBER’S BIRTHSTONE: opal or tourmaline The following are excerpts • Gem-quality opals are from the October Right- known for their play Hand Calendar Page of of color, caused by the The 1793 [Old] Farmer’s diffraction of light. They Almanac: are available in several Moon View Pomona her cheerful juices types, including black, fire, yields, and white opals. Common October’s full While golden harvest decks opals do not shimmer. Moon, the Full the fields. • Harvest Moon, See the enamel’d drooping Opals symbolize hope occurs on the 5th, at trees, and purity and were once thought to improve 2:40 p.m. EDT. Shedding their leaves at every breeze. eyesight or enhance  TAP FOR MORE • intuition. Throughout MOON PHASES Oct. 4–5: Rather too cool history, the gem’s for bare toes. TAP FOR MORE reputation has oscillated  • ABOUT THE FULL Oct. 12: Col. dis. Am. 1492. between standing for luck HARVEST MOON and standing for lack of • Plough your lands for luck. According to some, Folklore Fun summer fallow; but this those born in October are may be done in dull, wet immune from any possible Warm October, weather, or in such times negative effects. cold February. as other work can not go on; because no time in this + TAP FOR MORE ABOUT month must be lost. OCTOBER’S BIRTHSTONES OPAL AND TOURMALINE TRIVIA • Each opal is made of tiny spheres of amorphous hydrated silica; its water content makes it prone to cracking or crazing (many fine cracks). This can happen if the gem dries out, such as might occur when exposed to high temperatures or long periods of low humidity. The gem is relatively soft, with a hardness rating of only 5.5. (Never place an opal in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner: The vibrations can crack the gem.) • An alternate birthstone, tourmaline, comes in a kaleidoscope of colors; often more than one hue is present in a gem. Bright-color specimens are valued more highly. When heated or cooled, these gems develop an electric charge; the Dutch once used them to remove ash from meerschaum tobacco pipes. • Egyptian legend says that tourmaline received its colors as it passed through a rainbow on its way up from Earth’s core. The gem symbolizes inspiration and once was believed to protect against evil. s s CALENDAR s THIS MONTH IN HISTORY octoBER 6: rainy dayS On this day in 1967, 50 years ago, wet for a week or more.” Under such 19.26 inches of rain fell in 24 hours circumstances, the undergrowth is “an at the weather station in Ucluelet almost impenetrable tangle.” Brynnor Mines, British Columbia–a Brynnor Mines, Ltd., dug an open- Canadian record that still stands. This pit iron mine there in 1962. The firm came as a surprise to no one: Situated tried drilling for underground ore in on the west coast of Vancouver Island, 1963, an effort abandoned in 1967 in a warm, wet marine environment, because of “exceedingly heavy inflows the area is bounded on the north and of water.” All mining ended in 1968. northwest by mountains that block the Dependent on furs, forestry, and moisture-filled winds off the Pacific, fishing since European traders arrived causing them to dump vast amounts in the late 1770s, the district of Ucluelet of rain. The nearby weather station is now turning to adventure tourism. of Henderson Lake experienced the Bordering on the 150,000-acre Pacific second rainiest 24-hour period (16.61 Rim National Park Reserve, it offers inches) and holds Canada’s records whale watching, surfing, hiking, and for greatest annual rainfall in 1 year “storm watching,” advising visitors to (319.78 inches in 1931) and greatest bring along their “West Coast tuxedoes” average annual rainfall (256 inches). (rain jackets and pants) to prepare for According to geologist G.E.P. Eastwood 10 to 15 megastorms each winter. in 1968, “in the intervals between rain, “Gore-Tex and gum boots are the area is frequently blanketed with fog, always in vogue,” tourism officials and the vegetation remains dripping note cheerfully. SHIPPING NOW! 2018 Old Farmer’s Almanac Calendars the old farmer’s almanac M O O N caleN dar 2018 The Old Farmer’s almanac 2018 amazing lunar lore, facts, and photos the old farmer’s almanac Weather Watcher’s 2018 CALENDAR advice, folklore, and gardening secrets Cothe ould farmner’s altmanarc y amazing weather photos for every month also featUring astronomical taBles, tides, holidays, eclipses, etc.BenaJaUmtinUmnsUWnffor,anr KlETsimnP Ar1i“HA8onUg roEsTFeeLn2 2gfOH,iRUAo RlsOnE MtIBsWR GaEoRi00trfIR Fh N1OFtTs U h7,aAOANOM BeD 9aPLE .TUR D2lT nL11 nIHe2FNHdEaiNn2DtEAOEs oCe6pa.RMdnlA 88MAstRaAt SSDnaEteTe'RegtsSSr’CsSeWe in AtoerrfsLoBUe rmthM mB.eUrAmoNrtA”homCas the original farmer’s almanac• “UsefUl with a pleasant degree of hUmor”• almanac.com Cale20n18 dar Fun for Every Day! BBEENNNJJAAMMMIINN FFRRAANNKKLLIINN RROOBBEERRTT BB.. TTHHOOMMAASS ® EVERYDAY CALENDAR January 2018 p–hpohtoo tcoa cprteidoint 92 C–QouSuoUntetN/rpyDro qvAeuYrob t aeu/tphroorv1 3erb0 . MONDAY 14 1 T UESDAY 15 W2 E DNEFuSllD LWaoAstr mQY uM aYIrotoenr16 D11235S 296 TE 122MC6H 307 E122TU7M 418 RB122W18529E S R123TD29630 •A 1123F320741 0Y 11124S 718517 4 1226SF 307 E212 M7B 841F R12RT18U52 IA12WD29R63 YA112T3 074• Y 2112EF4 0185 p1 i8112p5S296hany1815SATUNRewD YAeaYr’s Day Wide open spaces and comforting places also featUring astronomical taBles, tides, holidaYs, eclipses, etc.BenaJaUmtinUmnsUWnffor,anr KlETsimnP Ar1i“HA8onUg roEsTFeeLn2 2gfOH,iRUAo RlsOnE MtIBsWR GaEoRi00trfIR Fh N1OFtTs U h7,aAOANOM BeD 9aPLE .TUR D2Tl nL11 nIHe2FNHdEaiNn2DtEAOEs oCe6pa.RMdnlA 88MAstRaAt SSDnaEteTe'RegtsSSr’CsSeWe in AtoerrfsLoBUe rmthM mB.eUrAmoNrtA”homCas the original farmer’s almanac• “UsefUl With a pleasant degree of hUmor”• almanac.com Facts, Folkl2ore,0 Pro1ver8bs, and Puzzles 16 17 18 19 New MUoon20 21 22 23 24 K i n g M J r a . r ’ s t i B noi brLsteuhrtdvhaeedyr, 25 Franklin’sB Benirjtahmdainy 26 First QuaWrter27 28 Inauguration Da y 29 30 31 Country Wisdom Best Days in January On This Day Did You Know? Tgtitsayhaonohoo-nonohbgnemuodw i .te s d rshe dh ttoa M—iioh amfscsofv i kparfnyeertaeo’asok h rrfimy ap ume— sgbiat phbuc apuhebeteecrhxsoiu eimkuvcinsudslweimaoig,ts ln–lioat esl,Toeuhe eor uhlsnkdenseidp tOksintsd rhn l wye doaf e eylgoaoFufriyroan lu rfr g’lyimuo sds rnfho eteo r bm e’tmutseft taspAeo trh.xaloo p msrweyer.Banwae ns ardsbautB aceriha, ot croml1nu —ad9kusi5dpx---sft3 See mAobrBeo vBeleeogswFtr oDogFu81raFron––y ooSrsd11ur ea n02P ttcF ,,drltt ihoia 12Sncpenh77r gsbot,–i:a n pie312cnsggk18,:g go32fS,0 t3,h i02s ,1c a3l1endar.fisP2oVItaFhVpt5efori eecsl,n tP i taotsx1tu rodrrf 8piper aanM5lP’itdmsaca8ir yieae,,ut ,en lsAw istssdoGdh sh bVn ieeeedMae l irnos.gsucm soif taIrsod otnniaph hsnrngi.leuisnga ay mmwy’ ,,bs ai taienma hn“slprgWie eree p1 trioverelh8 faedldo4edydNd 2ree“F imi.stdWrgn hteB h agaacedutntthd e’ stMcidtrt lehhiodiac Dnein rokso gr w fcWf ieJ M shaeSaQ ndim”hwalu udlarihw eaciakneehrmiaennngy”-s gpMrsTuooumwohunealnyd,s ts smao,p riiian tnck, oc leslui ucoagrdne aviasrn,ams g,ar ,ilca esaao tnpny k u dnonr fowro t,ow hthrhnioisesa trsalr, es .. SHOP NOW The 2018 Old Farmer’s Almanac Country Calendar Visit almanac.com for more country wit, wisdom, and weather. $9.99–$14.99 s s ASTROLOGY s BEST DAYS TO DO THINGS These October dates, deemed to be propitious in astrology, are based on the astrological passage of the Moon. However, consider all indicators before making any major decisions. –Celeste Longacre PERSONAL IN THE GARDEN Begin diet to lose weight: 7, 12, 16 Destroy pests and weeds: 5, 6 Begin diet to gain weight: 3, 31 Graft or pollinate: 11, 12 Cut hair to encourage growth: 3, 4, 30, 31 Prune to encourage growth: 22–24 Cut hair to discourage growth: 7, 8 Prune to discourage growth: 13, 14 Have dental care: 15–17 Plant aboveground crops: 3, 4, 30, 31 Quit smoking: 7, 12, 16 Plant belowground crops: 11, 12 Wean children: 7, 12, 16 Harvest aboveground crops: 25, 26 Harvest belowground crops: 15–17 AROUND THE HOUSE Can, pickle, or make sauerkraut: 11, 12 ON THE FARM End projects: 18 Breed animals: 20, 21 Start projects: 20 Castrate animals: 1, 27–29 OUTDOORS Cut hay: 5, 6 Set eggs: 9, 10, 28 Begin logging: 25, 26 Slaughter livestock: 20, 21 Go camping: 22–24 Go fishing: 1–5, 19–31 Wean animals: 7, 12, 16 Set posts or pour concrete: 25, 26 PHOTO: PIXABAY s s ASTROLOGY s gardening by the moon’s sign Use the October dates shown in the Moon’s Astrological Place calendar below to find the best days for the following garden tasks: PLANT, TRANSPLANT, AND GRAFT: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, or Taurus TAP FOR + MERCURY IN HARVEST: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini, or Aquarius RETROGRADE DATES BUILD/FIX FENCES OR GARDEN BEDS: Capricorn APP EXTRA! CONTROL INSECT PESTS, PLOW, AND WEED: Aries, Gemini, TAP FOR  OCTOBER Leo, Sagittarius, or Aquarius MOON PHASES PRUNE: Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius. During a waxing Moon, pruning encourages growth; during a waning Moon, it discourages growth. THE MOON’S ASTROLOGICAL PLACE IN OCTOBER 1 Aquarius 9 Gemini 17 Virgo 25 Capricorn 2 Pisces 10 Gemini 18 Libra 26 Capricorn 3 Pisces 11 Cancer 19 Libra 27 Aquarius 4 Pisces 12 Cancer 20 Scorpio 28 Aquarius 5 Aries 13 Leo 21 Scorpio 29 Aquarius 6 Aries 14 Leo 22 Sagittarius 30 Pisces 7 Taurus 15 Virgo 23 Sagittarius 31 Pisces 8 Taurus 16 Virgo 24 Sagittarius PHOTO: PIXABAY MERCURY IN RETROGRADE Sometimes the other planets appear to be traveling backward through the zodiac; this is an illusion. We call this illusion retrograde motion. Mercury’s retrograde periods can cause our plans to go awry. However, this is an excellent time to reflect on the past. Intuition is high during these periods, and coincidences can be extraordinary. When Mercury is retrograde, remain flexible, allow extra time for travel, and avoid signing contracts. Review projects and plans at these times, but wait until Mercury is direct again to make any final decisions. Mercury will next be retrograde during December 3–23. –Celeste Longacre