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FIT AS A FIDDLE FOREVER SUPER-SATISFYING SOUP RECIPES FOUNDATION PLANTINGS CHECKUP HOW TO LIVE A LONG LIFE

JANUARY 2020 PHOTO: PIXABAY s s CONTENTS s FEATURES

LIVING NATURALLY Fit as a Fiddle WEATHER Forever FORECASTS How We Make FOOD Our Predictions Super-Satisfying Soup Recipes January U.S. and Canadian GARDENING Weather Forecasts Foundation Plantings Checkup Weather Update WIT AMUSEMENT DEPARTMENTS How to Live a Humor Me Long Life CALENDAR Grins and groans January Holidays, from the Almanac Fun Facts, and More WHAT’S NEXT ASTROLOGY See what we have Best Days to in store for our Do Things February issue! Gardening by the Moon’s Sign

ASTRONOMY Sky Map for January

FOLLOW US: s s CALENDAR s january Holidays, Fun Facts, and More Holiday Traditions Around the World Coming of Age Day (Japan)

n Japan, Seijin no young people as they April 1 of the current Hi, or Coming of enter adulthood, year is invited to attend I Age Day, arrives which legally is 20 a ceremony given by each year on the years of age. (In 2022, the local government, second Monday in this will change to 18, commonly at a city January (January 13 except with regard hall or stadium. this year). to the right to drink, Although participation This national smoke, and gamble.) has been declining holiday, established Any youth in in recent years, those in 1948 and based residence who turns who do attend listen on a centuries-old 20 between April 2 of to speeches by local tradition, honors the previous year and officials about the

PHOTO: GAIJINPO.COM s s CALENDAR s responsibilities and celebrations continue intricate hairdos and opportunities that they with family and friends makeup. The women now have as adults. and might include a wear elaborate, long- Afterward, the visit to a local shrine or sleeve kimonos called group usually receives an outing to an izakaya, furisodes; each can cost small gifts and might or pub. thousands of dollars, so enjoy food, music, they are often rented. and professional DID YOU KNOW? Young men may choose photo opportunities Single young ladies to wear traditional to preserve memories may spend hours kimonos with hakamas of the significant preparing for this big (loose trousers), but occasion. After official event, often going more often wear suits ceremonies are over, to a beauty salon for and ties.

Holiday Happenings Jan. 1: New Year’s Day Jan. 6: Epiphany Jan. 17: Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday Eye on the Sky Jan. 20: Martin Luther King Jr.’s MOON PHASES Birthday, observed First Quarter: Jan. 2, at 11:45 p.m. EST Jan. 25: Chinese New Year Full Wolf Moon: Jan. 10, at 2:21 p.m. EST (Year of the Rat) Last Quarter: Jan. 17, at 7:58 a.m. EST New Moon: Jan. 24, at 4:42 p.m. EST Joke of the Month SPECIAL EVENT A New Year’s resolution is Jan. 5: Earth is at perihelion (point in a something that goes in one year planet’s orbit that is closest to the Sun) and out the other. on January 5, when it will be 91,398,199 miles from the Sun.

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BEST DAYS TO DO THINGS These January 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 Cut hair to discourage growth: 15, 16 Advertise to sell: 5, 6 Cut hair to encourage growth: 27, Ask for a loan: 14, 19 28 Begin diet to lose weight: 14, 19 Get married: 15–17 Begin diet to gain weight: 6, 28 Have dental care: 13, 14 Buy a home: 6, 28 Move (house/household): 7, 8 Color hair: 4–6 Perm hair: 24–26

PHOTO: PIXABAY s s ASTROLOGY s Quit smoking: 6, 11 IN THE GARDEN Straighten hair: 20, 21 Destroy pests and weeds: 2, 3, Travel for pleasure: 11, 12 29–31 Wean children: 6, 11 Graft or pollinate: 9, 10 Harvest aboveground crops: 5, 6 AROUND THE HOUSE Harvest belowground crops: 13, 14 Bake: 9, 10 Mow to slow growth: 18, 19 Brew: 18, 19 Mow to promote growth: 2, 3, 29–31 Can, pickle, or make sauerkraut: 18, 19 Pick fruit: 13, 14 Demolish: 18, 19 Plant aboveground crops: 5, 6, 9, 27, 28 Dry fruit/vegetables/meat: 11, 12 Plant belowground crops: 18, 19 End projects: 23 Prune to discourage growth: 11, 12 Lay shingles: 11, 12 Prune to encourage growth: 2, 3, Make jams/jellies: 1, 27, 28 29–31 Paint: 15–17

Start projects: 25 ON THE FARM Wash floors: 1, 27, 28 Breed animals: 18, 19 Wash windows: 2, 3, 29–31 Castrate animals: 24–26 Cut hay: 2, 3, 29–31 OUTDOORS Purchase animals: 9, 10 Begin logging: 22, 23 Set eggs: 6, 7, 16, 17 Go camping: 20, 21 Slaughter livestock: 18, 19 Go fishing: 1–10, 24–31 Wean animals: 6, 11 Set posts or pour concrete: 22, 23 s s ASTROLOGY s

gardening by the moon’s sign Use the January 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 TAP FOR  JANUARY CONTROL INSECT PESTS, PLOW, AND WEED: Aries, Gemini, Leo, MOON PHASES Sagittarius, or Aquarius 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 JANUARY 1 Pisces 9 Cancer 17 Libra 25 Aquarius 2 Aries 10 Cancer 18 Scorpio 26 Aquarius 3 Aries 11 Leo 19 Scorpio 27 Pisces 4 Taurus 12 Leo 20 Sagittarius 28 Pisces 5 Taurus 13 Virgo 21 Sagittarius 29 Aries 6 Taurus 14 Virgo 22 Capricorn 30 Aries 7 Gemini 15 Libra 23 Capricorn 31 Aries 8 Gemini 16 Libra 24 Aquarius

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’s 2020 retrograde periods: February 17—March 10, June 18—July 12, and October 14—November 3. –Celeste Longacre s s ASTRONOMY s

The Brightest Sky of the Year! he combination of crisp, clear winter nights and a southeastern sky filled with celestial wonders makes it well worth bundling up and scanning the heavens in TAP TO GET T January.  A PRINTABLE JANUARY Orion, the Hunter, is not the largest constellation, but it SKY MAP is unquestionably the brightest. It’s home to a pair of the

TAP TO sky’s Top 10 brightest stars, ruddy Betelgeuse and blue- FOLLOW white Rigel. Star colors are notoriously difficult to discern,  OHIOAN JEFF but on a clear night, the differing hues of Betelgeuse and DETRAY’S SKY Rigel are plain to see at Orion’s right shoulder and left knee, ADVENTURES respectively. Somewhat less luminous are Bellatrix at the Hunter’s left shoulder and Mintaka, Alnilam, and Alnitak, which comprise Orion’s Belt. Saiph, at his right knee, would be a noteworthy star in any other celestial neighborhood, but it doesn’t even crack the Top 5 in mighty Orion. s s ASTRONOMY s Above Orion stands Taurus, the Bull, his long horns jutting to the left and one baleful eye represented by the reddish star Aldebaran. Nearby lies a group of stars that make up the Hyades star cluster. The members of the Hyades lie fairly close together in space, but despite its apparent proximity, Aldebaran is not a part of the cluster. It is much closer to us than the Hyades (one reason that it appears brighter) and just happens to lie along the same line of sight. This is one of countless examples where celestial objects appear near one another from our point of view, but vast differences in distance mean that they are actually far apart. Above the Hyades are the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, which are among the most famous of star clusters. This cluster is so distinctive and its location so prominent that dozens of ancient cultures found a place in their mythologies for the Pleiades. Most people with good vision can spot five stars when they gaze at the Pleiades. However, if your eyesight is especially acute and the sky is wonderfully clear, you may see seven or even more. If you do, you have “the eyes of a warrior,” as ancient lore decreed. Off to the left is the five-sided figure of Auriga, the Charioteer. The star Elnath is shared between Auriga and Taurus, making it one of the few stars that belongs to two constellations. Swinging downward, we find Gemini, the Twins. Their names are Castor and Pollux, with stars of those names representing the heads of the reclining twins. They lie holding hands, their legs and feet stretched out toward Orion. Continuing counterclockwise around the sky, we reach Canis Minor, the Lesser Dog. Its only bright star is Procyon, a name meaning “before the dog.” This refers to the fact that on any given night, Procyon rises above the horizon a few minutes before the bright star Sirius, whose nickname is “the Dog Star.” Thus, Procyon rises “before the dog.” We’ll skip over the dim constellation Monoceros to reach Canis Major, the Greater Dog. This figure is home to the aforementioned Sirius, which just happens to be the brightest star in the night sky—almost twice as bright as any other! Sirius appears so bright to us because it is both extremely luminous and relatively nearby. Enjoy the January sky—the brightest of the year! –Jeff DeTray LIVING NATURALLY

Fit as a Fiddle Forever

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bout 6 weeks the essential foundation training with weights after my 40th of the mind and spirit at the gym where A birthday, we that I’d been cultivating. my daughter took had a freak April storm A bit later, I came gymnastics lessons. that dropped 18 inches across another line By the end of that first of wet, heavy snow. My from the great runner- year, I’d lost 70 pounds, car had broken down, so cardiologist-philosopher gained a set of shapely I trudged the mile and George Sheehan that muscles, and found a a half to my daughter’s explained my situation running partner who elementary school, where to a T: “Everyone is an became my best friend. I was working with the athlete. But some of us Every Saturday for 16 children to publish a are training, and some of years, we slipped out school newspaper. us are not.” So I started while our families were I rode the school training. still asleep and ran bus home. The next together for a couple of morning, I hurt all over TRAINING hours. and could barely roll I started walking a mile The following spring, I out of bed. As I dressed, every day, then two, bought a cheap 12-speed I caught a glimpse of then three. I didn’t bicycle and a helmet something in the mirror. trust the slug within, so and vowed to work Whoa! That pale, for the next 4 months, up to riding at least 50 bloated, ungainly, I slept every night in miles a week. I joined creature was me! shorts, T-shirt—even a running group. I I call what happened my shoes—and headed sewed myself a bathing next my “good-animal out the door before I suit from a remnant moment.” Seeing, really got busy with anything of hot-pink spandex seeing, my physical else. In late May, I taught and trained myself to self for the first time, a myself to run a mile, swim for an hour at line from Ralph Waldo one telephone pole at a steady speed in the Emerson popped into a time. I remember the pond behind my house. my mind: day when I arrived at That June, I entered my First, be a good animal. the stern No Passing first triathlon. Over the In a flash of awareness, sign half a mile from my next decade and a half, I realized that I hadn’t house and ran right by. I would enter 60 more. honored my animal self, I began resistance What a blast!

I started walking a mile every day, then two, then three. LIVING NATURALLY

EVERYTHING the house. I bought a the motivation of CHANGES used bike trainer and training partners and As I got fitter, I had more pedaled away indoors summer competitions. energy for daily tasks. I during the winter, But long before the didn’t get colds. I needed reading books and triathlons, in my chubby less sleep. My intuition magazines perched on days, when running a sharpened. I felt smarter the bike’s aerobars. whole mile had seemed a and more alive. I found A few years back, pains major life achievement, a that I could split wood in my knees brought me guy came up to me at the for 6 hours straight. to the orthopedic office, local corner store, a little Shoveling compost where Dr. Fox diagnosed smirk on his face. and snow felt easier. osteoarthritis. No more “Seen ya out there My bicycle turned into knee cartilage. No more runnin’ every day. real transportation; my running. No more Whatcha trainin’ for, commuting miles often triathlons. anyway?” added up to more than I continued to bike, I replied in a flash, 100 a week. walk, swim, garden, and “That’s easy. For life.” When darkness or split wood. I took up –Margaret Boyles weather prevented my serious snowshoeing getting out, I ran stairs, and water running TAP TO READ MORE OF jumped rope on the (either with or without  MARGARET BOYLES’S porch, or turned on the a buoyancy belt). It’s POSTS IN HER “LIVING NATURALLY” BLOG radio and danced around much tougher without

PHOTO: JAGCZ/GETTY IMAGES FOOD

Super-Satisfying Soup Recipes This is the perfect season for soups. Warm and nourishing in wintertime, soups serve as a delicious lunch, side, or main meal with some good bread and salad. Here are some Almanac favorites.

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Slow Cooker Jambalaya Soup

PHOTO: SAM JONES/QUINN BREIN FOOD

SLOW COOKER JAMBALAYA SOUP SHARE 3 cans (14.5 ounces each) chicken broth THIS 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with liquid RECIPE 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried marjoram 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1-1/2 cups chopped onion 1 cup celery, thinly sliced 2/3 cup long-grain brown rice 4 to 5 links smoked sausage, sliced 2 pounds skinless chicken drumsticks or skinless, boneless thighs 1 red bell pepper, diced 1/2 pound medium shrimp, cleaned 1/2 pound fresh okra, sliced 1/2-inch thick (optional) In a saucepan, bring broth, tomatoes, garlic, thyme, marjoram, and cayenne to a boil. Into a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker, add onions, celery, rice, and sausage. Add broth, then tuck chicken under liquid, meaty sides down. Scatter peppers on top. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 2-1/2 to 3 hours, until rice has softened and chicken is tender. Turn to high (or keep on high) and add shrimp and okra. Cook for 5 minutes, or until shrimp are cooked and okra is crisp- tender. Remove chicken and cut meat from bones. Ladle soup into bowls and add chicken to each portion. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

PHOTO: SAM JONES/QUINN BREIN FOOD

Caulif lower and Brie Soup

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PHOTO: YULIA DAVIDOVICH/SHUTTERSTOCK FOOD

CAULIFLOWER AND BRIE SOUP 1 tablespoon butter 1 cup milk 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated 2 cloves garlic, minced nutmeg 3 cups coarsely chopped 1/8 teaspoon cayenne onion pepper 6 cups cauliflower florets 3 tablespoons chopped chives, divided SHARE 4 cups chicken stock THIS 3 tablespoons uncooked 3 ounces Brie cheese RECIPE white rice salt and white pepper, to 1 tablespoon fresh lemon taste juice Parmesan cheese, for garnish In a saucepan, heat butter and oil. Add garlic and onions and cook until soft. Add cauliflower, chicken stock, and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cauliflower is very tender. Remove from heat and add lemon juice. Purée mixture in a food processor or blender, then return to saucepan over low heat. Slowly stir in milk, then nutmeg, cayenne, and 2 tablespoons of chives. Increase heat to medium and cook until soup is hot. Cut off outside rind of Brie, if it is crusty and hard. Cut cheese into small chunks and add to soup, stirring until slightly melted. Season with salt and white pepper. Sprinkle individual servings with remaining chopped chives and Parmesan. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

PHOTO: YULIA DAVIDOVICH/SHUTTERSTOCK FOOD

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Ginger Thai Pumpkin Bisque

PHOTO: MSHEV/SHUTTERSTOCK FOOD

GINGER THAI PUMPKIN BISQUE

SHARE 1 tablespoon vegetable oil THIS 1/2 cup chopped onion RECIPE 1 clove garlic, minced 4 cups canned pumpkin 2 tablespoons minced ginger 1 can (15 ounces) coconut milk 2 cups chicken stock 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon red curry paste 1 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons freshly minced cilantro, divided 4 tablespoons shredded coconut (optional) In a saucepan, warm oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until onions are tender. Remove mixture to a food processor or blender. Add pumpkin and ginger, then process until mixture is smooth. Return mixture to the saucepan. Add coconut milk, stock, soy sauce, lime juice, curry paste, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of cilantro. Simmer for 2 minutes more. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish each portion with remaining cilantro and shredded coconut, if using. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

PHOTO: MSHEV/SHUTTERSTOCK GARDENING

Foundation Plantings Checkup Improve the appeal and value of your home.

PHOTO: AKURTZ/GETTY IMAGES GARDENING

hether to learn more about each background of green you’re plant’s characteristics: foliage to set them off. Wplanning to sunlight and cultural sell or are set on staying requirements; size at • Make flowers in your home, it’s worth maturity; foliage color; incidental, to supply your time to take a good need for irrigation; color and finish. The look at the plants around susceptibility to fungal lawn and the mass the buildings on your infections; and hardiness plantings are the main property. Here’s some to your region and pieces of the plan. advice on what works— climate. and what does not. Draw your preferences • Think about position Draw a landscape plan onto a set of your carefully. Far more for your property—or property sketches, with important than the at least the part around these ideas in mind: right choice of plant is the foundations of its correct position with your house, garage, and • Peripheral plantings reference to other plants outbuildings. Then draw should not compete with and to structures. a sketch of your house the house for emphasis; When you have a showing window and the eye is to be drawn tentative planting door positions. Make to the house. It is the diagram, consider hiring photocopies of both central focal point; the the manager of a local sketches. You will mess borders are incidental. nursery to visit your up several before you get site. Invite criticism of one set good enough to • Put “framing” and mass your plans. Ask what execute. at the edges, to leave he or she would charge Walk around your the center of the space to develop a plan for neighborhood or a open. Keep the largest you. It could be the best nursery to find plantings plantings off to the sides. money that you will that you like. Ask spend this year. questions, take notes, • Avoid scatter: no flower Your tasks may include and later research on beds in the middle of the removal of ill- the Internet or use a lawns, no brilliant- conceived plantings. Do landscape-design book color plants without a this decisively, especially

Draw a landscape plan for your property–– or at least the part around the foundations of your house, garage, and outbuildings. GARDENING

if the soil around the rotted manure, peat • ball-shape shrubs foundation is organically moss, and so forth— arranged geometrically poor, rubble-ridden, buy it. You need fertile, around the entrance impossibly acidic, loamy soil, properly (nature abhors linear or adversely graded graded away from the geometry; nature knows (shedding water toward building in a band only curves) the house, not away from reaching to the edge of it). You will have to do your planting perimeter • evergreens planted so some serious digging at a minimum depth of close to the house that to get tree trunks down 6 inches. they rub the walls to subterranean levels, Now, plant. but you need not fully When everything • plants grown so tall that remove all roots. is done, you will they obscure windows Get a soil test kit and have transformed the send off a sample to appearance of your • walkways lined with your state soil-testing place, increased its value plants set too close and lab. Pay for the most by some large multiple now intruding over the comprehensive test of the cost of the work, walking area that’s offered. You want and created a pleasant to know the levels of sight for neighbors and • weed grass beneath organic matter and passersby to see, season shrubs, rising into their trace elements such as in and season out. bodies lead and cadmium, not just soil pH and major COMMON • monochromatic plant nutrient levels. MISTAKES choices (everything Regardless of the Avoid these common green or even worse, cost of what the lab errors in foundation- everything evergreen) suggests—compost, plant placement: –Robert Kaldenbach

Get a soil test kit and send off a sample to your state soil-testing lab. Pay for the most comprehensive testing that’s offered. You want to know the levels of organic matter and trace elements, not just soil pH and major nutrient levels. AMUSEMENT

How to Live a Long Life Are you too busy to die? AMUSEMENT hat do you are accomplishing the Founders must have you think? something worthwhile. had long-lived ancestors W Can a vital Proof that the too-busy- (some did, but most did undertaking be so to-die theory is more than not), a privileged back- engrossing that there is wishful thinking can be ground (fewer than half just no time to answer found in the long and did), or superior medical the door when the Grim productive lives of the care (it did not exist for Reaper comes knocking? Founding Fathers. anyone, rich or poor). Not likely, say Life expectancy at Perhaps Benjamin geneticists, insisting that birth in colonial America Franklin had the best the length of one’s life between 1700 and 1775 formula for achieving is mainly determined was 35 years (today, for longevity. In his 20s, he by how long his or her men born in the U.S. in compiled a list of Thir- ancestors lived. 2018, it is 78 years; for teen Virtues that would But Dr. Kenneth women, 82). But since govern his life. Virtue No. Pelletier, authority on life expectancy is defined 6 was Industry: “Lose no longevity, disputes the as the number of years time. Be always gainfully geneticists. “Good genes that an individual of a employed.” give you an edge,” he says, given age may expect to The Founding Fathers “but this doesn’t account live, once the colonial were industrious. They for people who live 30 American reached 21, were a diverse group: to 40 years beyond the odds favored his living aristocrats, common average life expectancy. A another 20 years. And the sorts; college graduates, strong sense of purpose longer he lived, the better autodidacts; short- and commitment to his chance of living to a tempered, imperturbable; higher values, as well ripe old age. neat, sloppy; stingy, as lifelong physical and Nevertheless, in 1775, generous. Some smoked; mental activity, play a a mere 2 percent of the most drank moderately, more important role in populace was over 65. mainly wine. Some longevity than purely Yet an amazing number exercised diligently; biological factors such as of Founding Fathers, others, halfheartedly. But hormonal changes.” all born in the perilous they all had one thing in He asserts that the 18th century, achieved common: They saw life as single most important a longevity far beyond a heaven-sent gift, a gift to predictor of longevity the average. Our first be utilized, not wasted. is enthusiasm for life: 10 presidents lived an Why don’t we all try staying busy, being average of 77.4 years. this and see how it works curious, feeling that Some might argue that out? –Lawrence Doorley s s WEATHER FORECASTS

s FOG IN JANUARY MAKES A WET SPRING. How We Make Our predictions We derive our weather forecasts from a secret formula that was devised by the founder of this Almanac, Robert B. Thomas, in 1792. Thomas believed that weather on Earth was influenced by sunspots, which are magnetic storms on the surface of the Sun. Over the years, we have refined and enhanced this for- mula with state-of-the-art technology and modern scien- tific calculations. We employ three scientific disciplines to make our long-range predictions: solar science, the study of TAP TO FIND sunspots and other solar activity; climatology, the study of OUT THE prevailing weather patterns; and meteorology, the study of  WEATHER HISTORY OF the atmosphere. We predict weather trends and events by THE DAY comparing solar patterns and historical weather conditions with current solar activity. LOVE ALL THINGS Our forecasts emphasize temperature and precipitation WEATHER? deviations from averages, or normals. These are based on  TAP FOR THE 30-year statistical averages prepared by government meteo- WEATHER FOLKLORE rological agencies and updated every 10 years. Most-recent OF THE DAY tabulations span the period 1981 through 2010. We believe that nothing in the universe happens haphaz- ardly, that there is a cause-and-effect pattern to all phenom- ena. However, although neither we nor any other forecast- ers have as yet gained sufficient insight into the mysteries of the universe to predict the weather with total accuracy, our results are almost always very close to our traditional claim of 80 percent.

CELSIUS–FAHRENHEIT TABLE

PHOTO: PIXABAY s s WEATHER FORECASTS s U.S. Weather Regions

15 9 1 12 13 6 3 2 10 16 7

14 4 8 11

5 17 18

canadian Weather Regions CLICK HERE TO FIND JANUARY WEATHER PREDICTIONS  FOR THE U.S. AND CANADIAN 6 REGIONS Y.T. NUNAVUT 7 N.W.T.

N.L.

B.C. ALTA. QUE. SASK. MAN. 1 ONT. P.E.I. Southern 5 Atlantic British 2 N.B. Corridor Columbia 4 The Prairies 3 Southern Ontario Southern Quebec N.S. s s WEATHER UPDATE s

The Real Meaning of “Once in a Hundred Years” rom time to time when a major weather event occurs, I see it described as a “once in a hundred years” or even “once in a thousand years” event. F But what does this really mean? Usually, it refers to a particular storm that brings heavy rain or snow. For example, in 2017, Hurricane Harvey brought exceptional rain amounts to the Houston, Texas, area—including 60.5 inches in the city of Nederland— while 30 inches or more fell on an area near the Texas coast the size of the state of Maryland. The 60.5 inches in Nederland was a record for a single storm in the continental United States that created an unprecedented “once in a thousand years” flood event. No rain event of that magnitude has ever happened in the history of the United States. But there have been several other exceptional rainfalls in Texas brought about by tropical storms in recent decades. The 48 inches of rain in Medina from Hurricane Amelia in 1978; the 45 inches that Claudette dumped on Alvin in 1979; the 43.15 inches brought by Imelda to Jefferson County in s s WEATHER UPDATE s 2019; and the 40.68 inches that fell from Allison in Jefferson County in 2001 are also among the 10 highest rainfall amounts from tropical cyclones in the United States since 1950. Three of the other top 10 events occurred in Hawaii, with one each in Florida and Puerto Rico. All of these events have been characterized as at least “once in a hundred years” events, including all five that hit Texas in the past 41 years. This raises two important questions: (1) How do we know that an event is this extreme? (2) How can we have five “once in a hundred years” events in Texas in less than half a century? The answer to the first question is that we have excellent precipitation records from about the past 30 years based on rain-gauge, Doppler radar, and satellite measurements. We have pretty good records from about the past 100 years, mostly with rain gauges. Before that, the records are much more speculative, with some data from weather instruments but most of the weather information on individual events coming from personal diaries, with climatological information coming mostly from indirect measurements of things like the thickness of tree rings. The answer to the second question is more complicated. Instead of imagining a “once in a hundred years” event happening exactly once every 100 years, think about it as having a 1% chance of happening in any given year. And once such an event occurs, the chance of it occurring again in the following year is still 1%. Very simply, the United States is large enough, with enough different locations and weather events, that an apparent anomaly like the Texas rainfall will occur over 1% of the country each year. This means that events of this nature will happen somewhere in the United States each year, despite the tiny chance of one occurring in any one location. And Texas is a large state with plenty of room for extreme events in different parts of the state. Two other factors for consideration: (1) Because we do not have good weather records going back for more than a century or two, these events may happen more often than we expect. (2) As climate changes, whether naturally or because of humans, particular events can become more or less frequent. –Michael Steinberg, Old Farmer’s Almanac meteorologist s s WIT s humor me grins and groans from the almanac

Umbrella Coverage mortified, apologized owner of the When leaving a street- earnestly. morning should be car one morning, a On his way home his nearest neighbor busy man, much en- from business that on the homeward grossed with his news- evening, he called, at car. After eyeing the paper, absentmindedly his wife’s request, for first man and his picked up an umbrella three umbrellas that umbrellas keenly, he belonging to a man she had left at a store to at last said quietly but sitting next to him. be mended. suspiciously, “I see The latter protested, Now, Fate decreed that you have had a and our friend, greatly that the umbrella successful day!”

ILLUSTRATION: DRANTE/GETTY IMAGES s s WIT s Still Not Gone impression. physical diagnosis A lady carrying a little “Yes, I think so,” required his patients to dog on a London replied his wife. “They divest themselves of all double-decker bus were all nodding.” superfluous clothing wanted to know at before entering his every turn whether this Truth-Telling private consultation was Park Lane. The schoolmaster was room. She began asking the trying to explain the One day, a man pre- question soon after meaning of the word sented himself without the bus started and “conceited,” which had having complied with repeated it at intervals come up in the course this requirement. all along the route until of the reading lesson. “Why do you come at last she was told, to “Now, students,” he in here without com- the intense relief of said, “suppose I was plying with my rules?” all, that Park Lane was always boasting of my demanded the doctor. right before her eyes. learning—that I knew “Just step into that side room and remove your But they were not to a good deal o’ Latin, clothing, and then I’ll see the last of her, even for instance, or that my see you. Next patient, then. “Look!,” she said in personal appearance please!” ecstatic tones, holding was . . . that I was The man did as re- the dog up to the very good-looking, quested and after a time window, “that’s where y’know—what should presented himself, duly your mother was born!” you say I was?” divested of his clothing, Student: “Well, sir, in regular order. I’d say that you were a Nodding Approval “Now,” said the doc- prevaricator.” “Do you think they tor, “what can I do for approved of my you?” sermon?” asked the Stripped of Reason “I just called,” replied newly appointed In order to save time, the man, “to collect that rector, hopeful that a prominent physician tailoring bill that you he had made a good whose specialty was owe us.” 2020 Old Farmer’s Almanac Calendars ORDER NOW! Stunning Images • Original Illustrations • Loaded with Facts and Folklore

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B E N J N 2020 A I M L 2020 K I N N RA F R O B E A ® R T S B A . O M T H NEW, USEFUL, AND ENTERTAINING MATTER L “ MA AC GardeningRO N B E RT B. T H O MAS

F O U N D E D I N 20201 7 9 2

ALSO FEATURING ASTRONOMICAL TABLES, TIDES, HOLIDAYS, ECLIPSES, ETC.

A U T U M N W I N T E R WEATHER FORECASTS FOR 18 REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES

AMAZING LUNAR LORE, FACTS, AND PHOTOS SUN, MOON, STARS, AND PLANETS

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC We a t h e r

THE ORIGINAL FARMER’S ALMANAC “USEFUL, WITH A PLEASANT DEGREE OF HUMOR”

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R A O B ® E R NEW, USEFUL, AND ENTERTAINING MATTER T S B . A “ O M L H M C T R A O NA B E R T B. T H O MAS F O U N D E D I N 1 7 9 2 Wat cher ’s

ALSO FEATURING ASTRONOMICAL TABLES, TIDES, HOLIDAYS, ECLIPSES, ETC.

A U T U M N 2020 CALENDAR W I N T E R WEATHER FORECASTS FOR 18 REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES

SUN, MOON, STARS, AND PLANETS ADVICE, FOLKLORE, AND GARDENING SECRETS

THE ORIGINAL FARMER’S ALMANAC THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC “USEFUL, WITH A PLEASANT DEGREE OF HUMOR”

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B E N J N A I M L 2020 I K 2020 N N A F R R O B E ® R T S B A . O M T H Country AMAZING WEATHER PHOTOS FOR EVERY MONTH Calendar2020

Irregular erosional columns called “hoodoos” are a common sight in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. –Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott/Minden Pictures February 2020 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY W JANUARY • 2020 MARCH • 2020 FULL SNOW MOON First Quarter S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 This full Moon was named for the time

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 THE ORIGINAL FARMER’S ALMANAC 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 of year when the heaviest snows fall. “USEFUL, WITH A PLEASANT DEGREE OF HUMOR”

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 228 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31

B E N J N A I M L 2020 I K 2020 N N A F R R O B E ® R T S B A . O M 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 T H

I Y WIDE OPEN SPACES AND COMFORTING PLACES 9 Full Snow Moon 10 11 12 13 14 15 Last Quarter

National Flag of Canada Day Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday Family Day (B.C.) Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday Valentine’s Day (Fla.) 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Presidents’ Day Family Day (Alta., B.C., N.B., Ont., Sask.) Heritage Day (Y.T.) George Washington’s Birthday 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Mardi Gras (Ala., La.) Ash Wednesday Leap Day Country Wisdom Best Days in February On This Day Did You Know? 30 31 We can look over the long valley FOR PLANTING On February 26, 1932, country music legend “Fins” are landforms created by to the whitening shoulder of the Johnny Cash (d. 2003) was born in Kingsland, erosion of sedimentary rock. As Aboveground crops: 15, 16 mountain. But in truth we know Arkansas. His hits included “I Walk the Line,” the sides of a wide plateau are Belowground crops: 23–25 that as much wisdom as we or any “Ring of Fire,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” and “A worn down, it becomes narrow FOR SETTING EGGS SHOP NOW man may find can be found in win- Boy Named Sue,” and he was eventually in- like a fish’s fin. Eventually, holes dows, on doorsteps, at street corners 13, 14, 22, 23 ducted into the Country, Rock and Roll, and develop in the fin, in the form of or altars—or taken from moun- FOR FISHING Gospel Music halls of fame. Known as “The “windows,” which may lengthen tains anywhere. It is a wisdom that 4–19 Man in Black,” in 1971 he wrote an epony- downward to leave only arches springs from the heart alone. It is the See more Best Days at the back of this calendar. mous song that explained why he dressed that above. When arches eventually heart that must see. way during performances: But just so we’re re- erode and disappear, freestand-

–The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1949 minded of the ones who are held back / Up front ing lumpy columns, or “hoo- there ought to be a man in black. doos,” may be created. The 2020 Old Farmer’s Almanac Country Calendar Almanac.com Visit for more country wit, wisdom, and weather. $9.99–$14.99 ss s WHAT’S NEXT

CALENDAR LIVING Moon phases, February ASTRONOMY NATURALLY holidays, all about Explore with Feel sick? Leap Day, Sadie Hawkins our Sky Map Take action! Day, Joke of the Month

FOOD GARDENING Sumptuous Slow Warm up for pain- WEATHER Cooker Recipes free gardening! The Great Arctic Outbreak of 1899

Plus: Weather Update • U.S. and Canadian Weather Forecasts • Gardening by the Moon’s Sign • Best Days to Do Things • • Humor • and much more in the February EXTRA! CELEBRATING THE ALMANAC’S 229TH YEAR!