EXTRA! A MAN AND HIS CAMERA - RECIPES TO WELCOME SPRING! CATCHING RAIN THE SMART WAY - The Old Farmer's Almanac
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EXTRA!
FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC
A MAN AND HIS CAMERA
RECIPES TO WELCOME SPRING!
CATCHING RAIN THE SMART WAY
MARCH 2023 PHOTO: MIKE DISFARMER
O
O CONTENTS
O
FEATURES
AMUSEMENT
A Man and
His Camera
FOOD
Recipes to
Welcome Spring! WEATHER
FORECASTS
GARDENING
How We Make
Catching Rain the
Our Predictions
Smart Way
March U.S.
LIVING NATURALLY
and Canadian
Hot Flashes: Symptom
or Power Surge?
DEPARTMENTS Weather Forecasts
CALENDAR Weather Update
March Holidays,
Full Moon Names, WIT
and More Humor Me
Grins and groans
ASTROLOGY
from the Almanac
Best Days to
Do Things
Gardening by
the Moon’s Sign
ASTRONOMY
Sky Map
for March
FOLLOW US:
Created for gardeners
of all experience levels
ORDER TODAY!
O
O CALENDAR
O march
Holidays, Full Moon Names, and More
Calendar This ’n’ That
The ancient Roman calendar,
which ultimately led to the
Gregorian calendar that many
use today, once began its year
in March (then called “Martius”
and named for Mars, the Roman
god of war).
Holiday Happenings
Mar. 8: International Women’s Day
Mar. 12: Daylight Saving Time
begins at 2:00 a.m.
Mar. 17: St. Patrick’s Day
Mar. 20: Vernal Equinox Eye on the Sky
(at 5:24 p.m. EDT) MARCH’S FULL MOON NAMES
Mar. 22: Ramadan begins at Worm Moon, Goose Moon,
sundown Sore Eye Moon
Mar. 31: César Chávez Day
MOON PHASES
Full Moon: Mar. 7, 7:40 a.m. EST
Last Quarter: Mar. 14, 10:08 p.m. EDT
New Moon: Mar. 21, 1:23 p.m. EDT
First Quarter: Mar. 28, 10:32 p.m. EDT
TAP FOR MORE ABOUT MOON PHASES
TAP FOR MORE ABOUT MARCH’S
FULL MOON
The 2023 Old Farmer’s Almanac calendars are
here! Order yours at Almanac.com/Shop.
PHOTO: PIX ABAY
O
O ASTROLOGY
O
BEST DAYS TO DO THINGS
These March 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:
8–10
Advertise to sell: 24, 25
Cut hair to encourage growth: 24, 25
Ask for a loan: 11, 12
Entertain: 3–5
Begin diet to gain weight: 25, 30
Get married: 8–10
Begin diet to lose weight: 8, 12
Have dental care: 6, 7
Buy a home: 24, 25
Move (house/household): 26, 27
Color hair: 24, 25
PHOTO: PIX ABAY
O
O ASTROLOGY
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Perm hair: 17, 18 Set posts or pour concrete: 15, 16
Quit smoking: 8, 12
Straighten hair: 13, 14 IN THE GARDEN
Travel for pleasure: 3–5 Destroy pests and weeds: 21–23
Wean children: 8, 12 Graft or pollinate: 1, 2, 28–30
Harvest aboveground crops: 6, 24, 25
AROUND THE HOUSE Harvest belowground crops: 15, 16
Bake: 1, 2, 28–30 Mow to promote growth: 1, 2,
Brew: 11, 12 28–30
Can, pickle, or make sauerkraut: 11, Mow to slow growth: 11, 12
12, 19, 20 Pick fruit: 6, 7
Demolish: 11, 12 Plant aboveground crops: 1, 2,
Dry fruit, vegetables, or meat: 13, 14 28–30
End projects: 6 Plant belowground crops: 11, 12
Lay shingles: 3–5 Prune to discourage growth: 13, 14
Make jams or jellies: 19, 20 Prune to encourage growth: 3–5, 31
Paint: 8–10
ON THE FARM
Start projects: 22
Breed animals: 11, 12
Wash floors: 19, 20
Castrate animals: 17, 18
Wash windows: 21–23
Cut hay: 21–23
OUTDOORS Purchase animals: 1, 2, 28–30
Begin logging: 15, 16 Set eggs: 7–9
Go camping: 13, 14 Slaughter livestock: 11, 12
Go fishing: 1–7, 21–31 Wean animals: 8, 12
O
O ASTROLOGY
O
GARDENING BY THE MOON’S SIGN
Use the March dates shown in the Moon’s Astrological Place
calendar below to find the best days for the following garden tasks:
TAP FOR PLANT, TRANSPLANT, AND GRAFT: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, or Taurus
MERCURY IN
+ RETROGRADE HARVEST: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini, or Aquarius
DATES
BUILD/FIX FENCES OR GARDEN BEDS: Capricorn
TAP FOR
MARCH CONTROL INSECT PESTS, PLOW, AND WEED: Aries, Gemini, Leo,
MOON Sagittarius, or Aquarius
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 MARCH
1 Cancer 9 Libra 17 Aquarius 25 Taurus
2 Cancer 10 Libra 18 Aquarius 26 Gemini
3 Leo 11 Scorpio 19 Pisces 27 Gemini
4 Leo 12 Scorpio 20 Pisces 28 Cancer
5 Leo 13 Sagittarius 21 Aries 29 Cancer
6 Virgo 14 Sagittarius 22 Aries 30 Cancer
7 Virgo 15 Capricorn 23 Aries 31 Leo
8 Libra 16 Capricorn 24 Taurus
PHOTO: PIX ABAY
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 remaining 2023 retrograde
periods: April 21–May 14, August 23–
September 14, and December 13–
(January 1, 2024).
–Celeste Longacre
Celebrating its 46th anniversary in 2023, the
best-selling Old Farmer’s Almanac Gardening
Calendar is filled with beautiful art, helpful
tips, insightful quotes, and an easy-to-use
grid with holidays and Moon phases. Order
yours today at Almanac.com/Shop.
O
O ASTRONOMY
O
Pointers in the Sky
G
etting your bearings under the night sky can be a
challenge, even if you have a sky map or star chart
to help you. Star gazers of every experience level—
TAP TO GET
A PRINTABLE from newcomer to expert—typically begin an evening of
MARCH observing by finding a single familiar star pattern (asterism)
SKY MAP and using it to point the way. On March evenings, there is no
TAP TO
better place to start than with the Big Dipper.
FOLLOW The Big Dipper asterism is composed of the seven brightest
OHIOAN JEFF stars in the constellation Ursa Major, the Greater Bear. The
DETRAY’S SKY
shape of the Big Dipper never varies, but its orientation
ADVENTURES
changes constantly. This month’s Sky Map shows the Dipper
as it appears during March in the late evening, when it
seems to be standing upright, precariously balanced on its
handle. Come back just a few hours later, and the Dipper
will have moved so that it is upside-down as if pouring out
its contents. Return at a different time of year, and the Big
O
O ASTRONOMY
O
Dipper might be to the left of Polaris instead of on the right as it is in March.
Learn to recognize the Big Dipper no matter what its orientation is.
The Dipper’s stars always point the way to other celestial sights. The two
stars that form the front end of the Dipper’s bowl are known as the Pointers.
They point directly toward Polaris, the North Star, in Ursa Minor, the Lesser
Bear. Because Polaris points the way to true north, it has long been a vital
guidepost for navigation on both land and sea. When you use the Pointers to
find Polaris, you’ll be doing the same thing as countless explorers and sailors
have done in the past.
The stars of the Big Dipper’s handle form a graceful curve or arc. If you
extend this curve past the end of the handle and follow it two more “handle
lengths,” you’ll end up at the bright star Arcturus in Boötes, the Herdsman.
The main stars of Boötes form a somewhat lopsided kite shape.
Once you’ve reached Arcturus, straighten out the curve and make a beeline
for Spica, the brightest star in Virgo, the Virgin. The journey from the Big
Dipper to Spica has given rise to a popular astronomer’s refrain: “Arc to
Arcturus, then drive a spike to Spica.” Once your gaze has wandered from the
Big Dipper to Arcturus to Spica, perhaps you’ll remember the refrain the next
time you spot the Dipper.
U
sing the Big Dipper to orient yourself helps to overcome a problem that’s
common to all star gazers: grasping the scale of the sky. Translating
what’s shown on a sky map to what you see in the sky can be difficult.
Distances in the sky seem greater than what they appear to be on a map.
Starting with a bright asterism such as the Big Dipper and then extending
your view to encompass Arcturus and Spica can help you to relate your map
to the sky that it represents.
Once you understand the scale of the sky, it becomes much easier to
find other stars and constellations. On our March map, look for points of
interest such as the sinuous body and distinctive head of Draco, the Dragon;
the beautiful Tiara shape of Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown; and the
Keystone asterism at the heart of Hercules, the Roman Hero.
–Jeff DeTrayThe 2023 Garden
Guide is here!
ORDER TODAY!AMUSEMENT
A Man and
His Camera
No one paid much attention to this eccentric, small-town photographer—
until collectors started paying millions for his images.
PHOTO: MIKE DISFARMERAMUSEMENT
B
etween the late to stand. of the Meyer family,
1920s and 1959, Disfarmer’s sometimes who had raised him.
any resident of grumpy personality was In 1939, he made the
Heber Springs, Arkansas, only one reason that he break official, legally
who wanted to have his was an outsider in the changing his surname
or her picture made had tight-knit community of Meyer to Disfarmer,
only one place to go: a of just over 2,000. He with the explanation that
damp, sparsely furnished was a reclusive bachelor meier meant “farmer” in
studio on Main Street who lived in a spare German and dis meant
that was operated by room at his studio and “not”—and that he was
a sullen man named an agnostic among neither a Meyer nor a
Mike Disfarmer. Over churchgoing Baptists farmer.
the years, Disfarmer and Methodists. Born By the 1950s,
photographed hundreds in Indiana, he also was Disfarmer’s health
of the town’s residents: possibly this Confederate and productivity had
mothers proudly town’s only son of a declined; he reportedly
holding their babies, Union soldier. The drank heavily and
farm families on their closest he had to a subsisted almost entirely
Saturday visits to town, friend was a man with on chocolate ice cream.
newly engaged couples, whom he played country After he died in 1959, it
hunters alongside their music, but even this was several days before
prized hounds, children acquaintance reported anyone thought to
in their Sunday best, and that Disfarmer “didn’t wonder where he was.
men in uniform about to say much that was Disfarmer might have
be shipped off to war. personal.” faded from memory—
For 50 cents, the What little Disfarmer and his photographs
subjects received three did reveal about himself might have remained
prints and the unsettling sounded like an Ozarks mounted in family
experience of posing for tall tale. Although he had albums—if not for a
Disfarmer, who didn’t a large family nearby, fortuitous discovery.
even so much as greet Disfarmer insisted that Upon Disfarmer’s
his customers before he wasn’t related to them; death, a local man
disappearing under the instead, he claimed, as a bought the contents of
black drape behind the baby he’d been picked up the studio from a bank
camera for minutes at a by a tornado from his real for $5. Amidst the old
time, emerging only to family’s residence and furniture and camera
bark orders about where deposited at the home equipment, he foundAMUSEMENT approximately 4,000 at New York City’s collector came across 50 glass-plate negatives. prestigious International previously unseen prints He wasn’t sure what to Center of Photography. (originals, developed by do with them, so they Raves from the art Disfarmer). He bought sat in his garage until world came immediately. them all and eventually 1973, when the publisher Part of the appeal was scouted out and acquired of the local newspaper due to Disfarmer’s more than 3,000 others, announced that he was apparently innate at a reported cost of $2 interested in seeing old technical skill: His studio million. pictures from the town’s had featured a skylight to Coincidentally, an art past. The publisher, a make use of natural light; gallery owner was also photographer himself, he had printed on high- buying Disfarmer prints, recognized that quality paper; he had and the two quests Disfarmer’s portraits used sensitive glass-plate culminated in separate were of more than local negatives decades after exhibitions that opened importance and sent a other photographers had at the same time in New sampling to the editor switched to film; and York City. of Modern Photography he had been talented Disfarmer’s greatest magazine. The woman in arranging groups of contribution, however, was so impressed that people. perhaps lies in what his she arranged for the Interest in Disfarmer’s photographs captured: publication of a book work remained steady unassuming people from featuring 180 of the in the ensuing years, but a simpler time that was images in 1976 and a a significant resurgence fast disappearing. concurrent showing came in 2004, when a –Jeff Baker PHOTO: MIKE DISFARMER
FOOD
Recipes to
Welcome Spring!
The first day of spring arrives on Monday, the 20th of March!
Celebrate with seasonal ingredients showing up in your local market or garden—
such as peas, asparagus, and rhubarb. Make these recipes to greet spring
in a delightful and delicious way.
PHOTO: LORI PEDRICKFOOD
Pesto Ricotta With
Asparagus on Toast
PHOTO: SAMANTHA JONES/QUINN BREIN COMMUNICATIONSFOOD
PESTO RICOTTA WITH ASPARAGUS ON TOAST
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons basil pesto
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
16 asparagus spears
4 slices hearty white, whole wheat, or Panella bread
4 large eggs
In a bowl, combine ricotta, 1/4 cup of pesto, and salt and
pepper.
Break ends off asparagus. Place spears in a shallow, nonstick
pan with a lid. Add enough water to just cover asparagus.
Cover and cook over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes, or
until crisp-tender. Remove asparagus from water and blot with
paper towels to dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drain water
from pan and set aside for cooking the eggs.
While asparagus is cooking, toast bread slices in a toaster or
under the broiler until golden brown.
Put remaining 2 teaspoons of pesto into the pan and spread
out evenly. Over medium-high heat, cook eggs for about 1
to 2 minutes on one side and 30 seconds to 1 minute on the
other. (You want the yolk to be runny.) Spread one-quarter of
the ricotta mixture on top of a piece of toast, then add four
asparagus spears and top with an egg. Repeat for the rest of the
pieces of toast.
Makes 4 servings.
PHOTO: SAMANTHA JONES/QUINN BREIN COMMUNICATIONSFOOD Peas and Egg Fried Rice PHOTO: LORI PEDRICK
FOOD
PEAS AND EGG FRIED RICE
1-1/2 cups basmati rice, rinsed
7 tablespoons canola oil, divided
16 shrimp, peeled and deveined, whole or chopped
4 extra-large eggs, beaten
3 scallions, chopped
1 cup fresh peas
4 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add rice and a pinch of
salt. Return to a boil and simmer, covered, on low for
about 25 minutes. Set aside.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil until hot and
add shrimp. Cook for 3 minutes, then transfer to a plate.
In the same skillet, heat remaining 5 tablespoons of oil
until hot. Add eggs and cook until lightly scrambled.
Add rice, shrimp, scallions, peas, soy sauce, brown
sugar, and kosher salt. Cook for about 3 minutes.
Makes 4 servings.
Looking for more great recipes? Get a copy of our best-selling
cookbook with recipes from you, our readers. The Old Farmer’s
Almanac Readers’ Best Recipes is filled with tried-and-true
recipes that keep folks coming back for more, plus the stories
behind them! Store.almanac.com/cookbook-readers-best-recipes/
PHOTO: LORI PEDRICKFOOD
Rhubarb
Chutney
PHOTO: SAMANTHA JONES/QUINN BREIN COMMUNICATIONSFOOD
RHUBARB CHUTNEY
2 cups diced rhubarb
1 tart apple, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
In a heavy, non-aluminum, sauce pan, combine
all ingredients. Bring slowly to a boil, then reduce
heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until rhubarb
and apple are very soft but still hold their shape.
Do not allow them to turn into mush. Taste and
adjust seasonings.
Cool and chill before serving.
Makes 2-1/2 cups.
PHOTO: SAMANTHA JONES/QUINN BREIN COMMUNICATIONSGARDENING
DID YOU KNOW?
One inch of rain on
a 100-square-foot
surface results in 60
gallons of water.
Catching Rain the
Smart Way
PHOTO: VIRGINIA’S SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTSGARDENING
W
ith drought which the water is being plants that prefer drier
incidence funneled. soil.
increasing • Make a basin: Dig out • Mulch with compost
and the cost of municipal dirt from a dry area at or shredded hardwood
water rising, why not least 10 feet downhill (bark chips may float
make the best use of from the water source. away in a heavy rain). If
the precipitation that (Avoid directing runoff to the water that flows into
Mother Nature provides a naturally low spot that the garden washes out the
for free? A rain garden is already saturated or to mulch, break up the flow
is a shallow, bowl-shape your septic system.) with a well-placed rock or
area that captures runoff • Replace heavy soil with two at the entrance to the
water from impermeable a fast-draining mixture basin.
surfaces—paved areas or of 50 percent sand, 25 A rain garden functions
the roof—during a heavy percent compost, and 25 like a living sponge made
rain and allows it to soak percent topsoil. of soil, plants, roots,
into the ground gradually. • Pile stones and extra and mulch. It should
Its benefits include soil on the downhill side not become a breeding
reduction of the risk of of the garden to act as a ground for mosquitoes;
water in the basement; a berm and create a bowl the water does not stand.
recharging of groundwater where water can pool to a
supplies; and the creation depth of about 6 inches. ALTERNATIVES
of a wildlife habitat for • If water doesn’t naturally If your property is not suitable
birds, butterflies, and flow to your rain garden, for a rain garden, these plants
can help to manage storm
beneficial insects. dig a shallow (3- to water:
Creating a rain garden 4-inch-deep) trench • Trees and large shrubs
can be as simple as from your downspout to deflect rainfall, slowing it down
directing the flow of the garden, line it with before it reaches the ground
water from your roof to landscape fabric, and and allowing it to soak into
the ground and not run off
a spot that you’ve already cover it with stones to
immediately.
planted with water-loving create a stream bed effect. • Tall grasses and other
plants—or, you can start • Install plants: In the perennials act as filters,
from scratch. The size of center of the garden, set sucking up water, trapping
the garden depends on the perennials and native pollutants, and preventing silt
size of the impermeable plants that tolerate wet from being carried off.
• Well-established, deeply
area draining into it. Aim feet. Around these, rooted plants hold soil and
to make the bed about 20 place plants that tolerate direct water into the subsoil.
percent of the size of the occasional standing water. –Robin Sweetser
roof or driveway from At the outer edges, setGarden Planning
Season Has Begun!
Your dream garden
is just a tap away.
Get started with the
online Garden Planner.
Try it for FREEL I V I N G N AT U R A L LY
Hot Flashes:
Symptom or Power
Surge? PHOTO: HUMONIA /GET T Y IMAGESL I V I N G N AT U R A L LY
H
ot flash! It social environment in food, stress, poor diet,
comes on which they occur, hot and inactivity—also may
suddenly—a flashes can be annoying, trigger or worsen hot
sensation of heat embarrassing, disruptive, flashes for some women.
rising up through the or even debilitating.
chest, neck, and face, Some women experience HOT FLASHES IN MEN
sometimes accompanied them rarely; others feel Because male hormones
by profuse sweating, the burn several times decline far more slowly
lasting from a few each day for years. than women’s and most
seconds to a few minutes. men retain adequate
Women all over the CAUSES amounts of testosterone
world experience hot Medical researchers to prevent hot flashes,
flashes before, during, don’t know for sure, but many men don’t
and sometimes long they hypothesize that experience them (except
after menopause. the gradual decrease vicariously and, we hope,
Whether you call them in production of sympathetically, if they
bouffées de chaleur, reproductive hormones have female partners).
vampate di calore, or affects the temperature- But there are
hitzewallung, hot flashes regulating function of exceptions, especially for
and the drenching the brain’s hypothalamus, men receiving androgen
night sweats that may causing it to detect a deprivation therapy for
accompany them are rise in the body’s core prostate cancer. Because
among the primary temperature. This, in these men will be under
signs of menopause, the turn, increases the heart the care of a physician,
natural end of a woman’s rate and dilates the blood they should ask their
menstrual cycles. Yes, vessels, allowing heat to doctors about ways to
menopausal hot flashes escape through the skin. help to relieve especially
are a normal life event, Certain drugs, debilitating hot flashes.
although they’re often surgeries, endocrine
characterized as a disorders, stress, and TREATMENTS
hormonal deficiency even allergies can also Pharmaceutical Approach
requiring medical bring on hot flashes. Research has confirmed
treatment. The usual suspects for hormone replacement
Depending on their many health problems— therapy (HRT) as
severity, frequency, caffeine, alcohol, the gold standard for
and timing and the cigarette smoke, spicy relieving severe orL I V I N G N AT U R A L LY
debilitating hot flashes, that they’ve gotten relief may cause allergies, have
varying with a person’s from herbs and plant other side effects, or
age, health, choice foods. interact with prescription
of hormone(s), dose, Yet what little rigorous drugs.
and “delivery method” medical research is
(oral, skin patch, topical available on the safety BEYOND DISEASE-
preparation, implant, and effectiveness of MONGERING
etc.) tailored to the botanical approaches has Magazine and newspaper
individual. yielded contradictory articles, medical
Other prescription results. Because herbal literature, and patient
pharmaceuticals supplements aren’t handouts often refer to
offered for debilitating regulated in the same symptoms, diagnoses,
hot flashes include way as foods and and treatments of
antidrepressants, anti- prescription drugs, menopause with terms
seizure medications, you may not know just like “failing ovaries” and
high blood pressure what and how much of “hormone deficiencies,”
medications, and what your supplement as if this natural process
nitroglycerin. contains. demands medical
If you’re using intervention.
Herbal and Botanical herbs or soy foods (or There’s a long history
Approach other phytoestrogenic of medicalizing the
Many women, wary products) to ease various stages of
of the potential side menopausal symptoms, normal female sexual
effects of hormone make sure to inform your development. As for
treatments and other medical professional the medicalization of
pharmaceutical so that she can make menopause, one writer
approaches, have note of them in your calls it the “menopause
turned to a wide medical record. I’d industrial complex.”
variety of botanical suggest printing copies Although hormone
preparations (especially of the labels or bringing replacement therapy
phytoestrogens) to cool the actual containers to is still prescribed as
hot flashes, diminish your appointments so the most effective
night sweats, and smooth that your clinician can means of providing
the mood swings that be sure of exactly what relief from severe and
may also accompany the substances are. Some disabling hot flashes,
menopause. Many report commercial products experts now suggestL I V I N G N AT U R A L LY
starting the therapy meditation, breathing and vitality and provide
early in menopause and exercises, and/or you with a sense of new
administering the lowest visualization (imagining possibilities.
dose for the shortest yourself cool). So, instead of
period. • Consider massage, symptom-seeking
accupressure, and other treatments, why not
SURGE AHEAD! relaxation techniques. think of those hot
Most women pass • Pay attention to eating flashes as power surges
through this natural well, avoiding alcohol, and explore ways to use
transition without caffeine, and spicy foods. this power for what lies
medical help. Here are • Exercise daily, as ahead?
some tips to consciously activity has been proven –Margaret Boyles
weave into your everyday to help. Stay hydrated.
schedule: • Get adequate sleep.
• Seek support from Even if they may not
peers and other reduce the frequency or
supportive groups. severity of hot flashes, TAP TO READ MORE OF
• Develop a mindfulness any or all of these steps MARGARET BOYLES’S
POSTS IN HER “LIVING
practice, such as yoga or can increase your health NATURALLY” BLOG
PHOTO: HUMONIA /GET T Y IMAGESO
O W E AT H E R F O R EC A S TS
O AS IT RAINS IN MARCH, SO IT RAINS IN JUNE.
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
WEATHER
prevailing weather patterns; and meteorology, the study of
HISTORY OF the atmosphere. We predict weather trends and events by
THE DAY comparing solar patterns and historical weather conditions
LOVE ALL
with current solar activity.
THINGS Our forecasts emphasize temperature and precipitation devi-
WEATHER? ations from averages, or normals. These are based on 30-year
TAP FOR THE statistical averages prepared by government meteorological
WEATHER
FOLKLORE agencies and updated every 10 years. Our forecasts are based
OF THE DAY on the tabulations that span the period 1991 through 2020.
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 forecasters
have as yet gained sufficient insight into the mysteries of the
universe to predict the weather with total accuracy, our re-
sults are almost always very close to our traditional claim of
80 percent.
CELSIUS–FAHRENHEIT TABLE
–40 –20 O 20 37 60 80 100
°CELSIUS
°FAHRENHEIT
–40 O 32 80 98.6 160 212
Water freezes Body Water boils
temperature
PHOTO: PIXABAYO
O W E AT H E R F O R EC A S TS
O 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 MARCH
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 Atlantic
5 British 2 Canada
Southern N.B.
Columbia 4 The Prairies 3 Southern
Ontario
Quebec
N.S.O
O W E AT H E R U P DAT E
O
A spring you can warm up to
T
exas Independence Day—March 2—looks to be a sunny, chilly one across
the Lone Star State. The 2nd is also Read Across America Day, when in the
Southeast it will be an especially good day to curl up inside with a book
because there will be the potential for some rain. Although temperatures are
going to be on the chilly side across much of the East, they will be a bit milder
toward the Upper Midwest—albeit probably still a little too cool for doing any
outdoor reading. Much of the West will be on the cooler side of average, with
some rain and mountain snow showers extending from the Rockies into the
Southwest.
Looking ahead to St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th, there could be some late-
season snow on the shamrocks across New England, keeping the skiers happy
deep into March. Farther south, there will be the potential for some rain
and even some downpours from the mid-Atlantic into the Appalachians.
PHOTO: PIX ABAYO
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Meanwhile, warm sunshine is expected across the Southeast, in contrast to
unsettled skies in the Plains and West, where there will be some showers
lurking. In Canada, there will be pockets of rain and snow showers in both
western and eastern areas, but the Prairies and much of the middle part of
the country will be dry.
For Seward’s Day in Alaska on the 27th, there will be some spotty snow
showers across northern parts of the state, but most areas will be dry and on
the mild side.
While there will be some pockets of chill across New England, Florida, and
parts of the Great Lakes, the vast majority of the U.S. (including Alaska and
Hawaii) is looking at a pretty mild March. For many areas, there will be some
early tastes of spring. Across Canada, near- to below-normal temperatures
are expected from Atlantic Canada back through Quebec, Ontario, and the
Northwest Territories. Above-normal temperatures are forecast elsewhere.
Looking at precipitation, near- to above-normal precipitation is expected
in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, perhaps a sign of a late-season coastal
storm or two. On the flip side, much of the Southeast, Great Lakes, and Plains
will be on the drier side. Near- or above-normal precipitation is forecast from
the Rockies back through the Southwest, while the Pacific Northwest will
likely end up a little drier. Alaska and Hawaii will see near- or below-normal
precipitation. In Canada, most areas will see above-normal precipitation in
March, although we could see some drier pockets across Quebec and the
Northwest Territories.
Spring as a whole has the potential to be a warmer-than-normal period
across much of the U.S. While there may be some pockets of chillier air
across the mid-Atlantic, Appalachians, and parts of the Rockies, most areas
will tend to lean toward the milder side. Precipitation looks to be on the
wet side from the West through the Plains and into the Mid-Atlantic and
Southeast. Elsewhere, the April flowers may need a little manual watering to
get going in a drier weather pattern. Canada will tend to be drier in eastern
areas and wetter in central and western parts of the country. Temperatures
will largely be near or above normal, but the chill may hold on longer across
the Northwest Territories.
–Bob Smerbeck and Brian Thompson, Old Farmer’s Almanac meteorologistsO
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humor me
grins and groans from the almanac
Certifiably Inactive discussing the merits of for the old lady. Rising
Overrated actress: “I their motorcars. from the table, she
have a certificate from “What color is your exclaimed:
my doctor saying that I body?” asked the “When young people
can’t act today.” young man of the girl come to asking each
Stage manager: at his side, meaning, other the color of their
“Thank you, but that is of course, the body of bodies at a dinner
never necessary.” her car. party, it is time I left
“Oh, mine is pink. the room!”
Body Language What is yours?”
An elderly lady of very “Mine,” replied the Flat Out Wrong
prim and severe aspect man, “is brown with Irate motorist: “This
was seated next to a wide yellow stripes.” darned car won’t
young couple who were This was too much even climb a hill. You
ILLUSTR ATION: DR ANTE/GET T Y IMAGESO
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said that it was a fine second day, another There was a moment
machine!” man dropped in and of tense silence.
Car dealer: “What I deposited $150; and so, Then—“Mama,” came
said was, ‘On the level, by George, along about the message in a shrill
it’s a good car.’” the third day, I got up whisper, “Willie found
enough confidence in a bedbug.”
Confidence Man the bank to put in $100
It used to be that myself!” No Redress
starting a bank in The woman lecturing
Wisconsin was a Bugged on dress reform was
comparatively simple It was in the evening. greatly shocked when
proposition. The Several callers were she read the report of
surprisingly small chatting in the parlor her event as published
amount of capital when a patter of little in the local newspaper.
then needed is well feet was heard at the The writer had been
illustrated by the story head of the stairs. The innocent enough,
that a prosperous mother raised her hand concluding with:
country-town banker for silence. “The lady lecturer on
told on himself, “Hush,” she said dress wore nothing that
when asked how he softly. “The children was remarkable.”
happened to enter the are going to deliver However, the
banking business: their goodnight mischievous (and soon
“Well,” he said, “I message. It always unemployed) typesetter
didn’t have much else gives me a feeling of had inserted a period
to do, so I rented an reverence to hear them. and capital that had
empty store building They are so much gone unnoticed by the
and painted Bank nearer the Creator than proofreader, causing
on the window. The we are, and they speak the final notice to read:
first day I was open the love that is in their “The lady lecturer
for business, a man little hearts never so on dress wore nothing.
came in and deposited fully as when the dark That was remarkable.”
$100 with me; the has come. Listen!”You can also read
