EXTRA! DEALING WITH DROUGHT STRANGE LAWS THAT SEEM TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING SUMMER FOOD SAFETY
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
EXTRA!
FROM THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC
DEALING WITH DROUGHT
STRANGE LAWS THAT SEEM TO EXPLAIN
EVERYTHING
SUMMER FOOD SAFETY
BERRY GOOD BLUEBERRY RECIPES
JULY 2022 PHOTO: MORNINGARAGE/GETTY IMAGES
s
ss CONTENTS
FEATURES
FOOD
Berry Good
Blueberry Recipes WEATHER
FORECASTS
AMUSEMENT
How We Make
Peculiar Laws That Our Predictions
Explain Everything,
Part 2 July U.S. and
Canadian Weather
GARDENING Forecasts
Dealing
With Drought Weather Update
LIVING NATURALLY DEPARTMENTS WIT
Humor Me
Summer Food Safety CALENDAR Grins and groans
July Holidays, from the Almanac
Full Moon Names,
and More WHAT’S NEXT
ASTROLOGY
See what we have
Best Days to in store for our
Do Things August issue!
Gardening by the
Moon’s Sign
ASTRONOMY
Sky Map for July
FOLLOW US:
s
ss CALENDAR
july
Holidays, Full Moon Names, and More
Holiday Happenings
July 1: Canada Day
July 4: Independence Day
July 14: Bastille Day
July 23: National Day of the
Cowboy
July 29: First of Muharram begins
at sundown
Eye on the Sky
JULY’S FULL MOON NAMES
Buck Moon, Raspberry Moon,
Salmon Moon july’s birthstone: ruby
The ruby is a form of corundum;
MOON PHASES
chromium gives it its red color.
First Quarter: July 6, 10:14 P.M. EDT
Along with the related sapphire,
Full Moon: July 13, 2:38 P.M. EDT
the ruby is the second-hardest
Last Quarter: July 20, 10:19 A.M. EDT
natural gemstone, with only
New Moon: July 28, 1:55 P.M. EDT
the diamond being harder. In
SPECIAL EVENT ancient times, warriors had
July 4 is the time of aphelion, when rubies embedded on their armor
Earth is farthest from the Sun for the or in their skin for protection.
year: 94,509,598 miles. Considered the king of gems, the
ruby symbolizes love, passion,
TAP FOR MORE ABOUT MOON PHASES
energy, and success.
Order your 2022 Old Farmer’s Almanac
TAP FOR MORE ABOUT JULY’S FULL MOON
calendars at Almanac.com/Shop.
Everything you need to
stay on track in 2023!
PRE-ORDER NOW!
s ss ASTROLOGY BEST DAYS TO DO THINGS These July 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 Color hair: 21, 22 Advertise to sell: 8, 9 Cut hair to discourage growth: 21, 22 Ask for a loan: 21, 22 Cut hair to encourage growth: 6, 7 Begin diet to gain weight: 5, 31 Entertain: 1, 2, 28–30 Begin diet to lose weight: 17, 22 Get married: 6, 7 Buy a home: 8, 9 Have dental care: 3–5, 31 PHOTO: DAVID SACKS/GETTY IMAGES
s
ss ASTROLOGY
Move (house/household): 23, 24 Go fishing: 1–13, 28–31
Perm hair: 14, 15 Set posts or pour concrete: 12, 13
Quit smoking: 17, 22
IN THE GARDEN
Straighten hair: 10, 11
Destroy pests and weeds: 18–20
Travel for pleasure: 1, 2, 28–30
Graft or pollinate: 25–27
Wean children: 17, 22
Harvest aboveground crops: 3–5
AROUND THE HOUSE Harvest belowground crops: 21, 22
Bake: 25–27 Mow to promote growth: 8, 9
Brew: 8, 9 Mow to slow growth: 21, 22
Can, pickle, or make sauerkraut: 16, 17 Pick fruit: 3–5
Demolish: 8, 9 Plant aboveground crops: 8, 9
Dry fruit, vegetables, or meat: 18–20 Plant belowground crops: 25–27
End projects: 27 Prune to discourage growth: 18–20
Lay shingles: 1, 2, 28–30 Prune to encourage growth: 10, 11
Make jams or jellies: 16, 17
ON THE FARM
Paint: 6, 7
Breed animals: 8, 9
Start projects: 1
Castrate animals: 14, 15
Wash floors: 16, 17
Cut hay: 18–20
Wash windows: 18–20
Purchase animals: 25–27
OUTDOORS Set eggs: 14, 15
Begin logging: 12, 13 Slaughter livestock: 8, 9
Go camping: 10, 11 Wean animals: 17, 22
s
ss ASTROLOGY
gardening by the moon’s sign
Use the July 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
JULY MOON CONTROL INSECT PESTS, PLOW, AND WEED: Aries, Gemini, Leo,
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 JULY
1 Leo 9 Scorpio 17 Pisces 25 Cancer
2 Leo 10 Sagittarius 18 Aries 26 Cancer
3 Virgo 11 Sagittarius 19 Aries 27 Cancer
4 Virgo 12 Capricorn 20 Aries 28 Leo
5 Virgo 13 Capricorn 21 Taurus 29 Leo
6 Libra 14 Aquarius 22 Taurus 30 Leo
7 Libra 15 Aquarius 23 Gemini 31 Virgo
8 Scorpio 16 Pisces 24 Gemini
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 2022 retrograde periods:
September 9–October 1 and December
28–(January 18, 2023).
–Celeste Longacre
Celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2022,
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.
s
ss ASTRONOMY
The Big dipper Points the Way
T
he Big Dipper, in the constellation Ursa Major, the
Greater Bear, is one of the brightest and most easily
TAP TO GET
recognized asterisms (unofficial star patterns) in the
A PRINTABLE night sky. Depending on the time of year and time of night,
JULY SKY MAP the Big Dipper will often appear upside down or sideways.
TAP TO
Late at night in mid-July, however, the Big Dipper is very
FOLLOW easy to spot. It’s almost right-side up, with its handle curving
OHIOAN JEFF to the upper left and its bowl on the right, as shown on this
DETRAY’S SKY
ADVENTURES
month’s sky map. This makes July an ideal time to learn how
the Big Dipper can help you to navigate the sky.
Various parts of the Big Dipper’s bowl and handle can
serve you as “pointers” to other stars and constellations.
The first set of pointers that every budding stargazer
should learn is the two stars forming the outermost side of
the Big Dipper’s bowl. These are labeled in purple on the Sky
Map. If you mentally extend the line of these two stars up
s
ss ASTRONOMY
and away from the bowl, you’ll find Polaris, the North Star. Polaris, in turn,
marks the end of the handle of the Little Dipper. Most of the stars of the Little
Dipper are rather dim. You may not see them unless you are far from city
lights, but Polaris should be visible from the suburbs, and the pointers of the
Big Dipper’s bowl will help you to find it.
There is another set of pointers in the Big Dipper. The first three stars of the
Big Dipper’s handle point directly to the four-sided Keystone asterism in the
constellation Hercules, the Hero. The Keystone pointers are labeled in orange
on this month’s map. Once you have located the Keystone, look directly below
it for Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, or “Tiara.”
T
he final example of the Big Dipper’s helpfulness is a bit more complicated,
but once learned, it’s easy to remember. A simple phrase summarizes this
bit of celestial navigation: “Arc to Arcturus, then drive a Spike to Spica.”
Look for the green dashed lines on the sky map.
If you extend the arc of the Big Dipper’s handle, you’ll see that it points
directly to the bright star Arcturus in the constellation Boötes, the Herdsman.
The body of Boötes is often described as “kite-shape,” and the extended arc
of the Big Dipper’s handle follows the curved edge of the Kite on its way to
Arcturus.
Once you arrive at Arcturus, straighten out the arc and drive a spike directly
to the star Spica (pronounced SPY-kuh) in Virgo, the Virgin. And there you
have it: “Arc to Arcturus, then drive a Spike to Spica.” Like the Big Dipper’s
other pointers, it’s an easy way to remember the arrangement of the stars and
constellations in the northern sky.
Bear in mind that at other times of year, the Big Dipper may appear at a
different angle or even upside down. However, it’s a very distinctive asterism,
and with practice you’ll learn to recognize it no matter how it’s oriented.
For those of us who live in the 48 contiguous states, southern Canada, and
most of Europe, it’s visible every night of the year. Being able to find the Big
Dipper is an essential part of your stargazing education, so look for it every
time you are under the stars.
–Jeff DeTrayWe’ve got calendars
for any interest and
fascination!
PRE-ORDER NOW!FOOD
Berry Good
Blueberry Recipes
July is National Blueberry Month. To celebrate, we’ve gathered some
recipes that are easy to prepare and mouthwatering to eat. So, pick your own
or search the farmers’ market—it’s blueberry time!
PHOTO: EKATERINA KONDRATOVA/SHUTTERSTOCKFOOD
Cran–Banana–
Blueberry Pops
PHOTO: JULIA SUDNITSKAYA/SHUTTERSTOCKFOOD
CRAN–BANANA–BLUEBERRY POPS
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 ripe bananas
1-3/4 cups cranberry juice cocktail,
divided
2 tablespoons honey (optional)
Add blueberries, bananas, and 3/4 cup
of cranberry juice to a blender or food
processor and blend for 20 seconds.
Pour mixture through a fine-mesh
strainer, pressing with spatula, to remove
blueberry skins, if desired.
Rinse blender, then pour strained liquid
back into it with remaining cranberry
juice and honey (if using). Blend for
20 seconds. Pour into molds and freeze
for at least 4 hours.
Makes about 10 pops.
PHOTO: JULIA SUDNITSKAYA/SHUTTERSTOCKFOOD
Blueberry
Oatmeal Crisp
PHOTO: EKATERINA KONDRATOVA/SHUTTERSTOCKFOOD
BLUEBERRY OATMEAL CRISP
FILLING:
3 pints fresh blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
juice and grated zest of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons flour
TOPPING:
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 2 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into
pieces
For filling: Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter a 13x9-inch baking dish.
In a bowl, combine blueberries, sugar, lemon juice and zest, and
flour. Set aside.
For topping: Add flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and salt to
a blender or food processor and pulse to blend. Add butter and
pulse until mixture is clumpy, like damp crumbs.
To assemble: Pour blueberries into prepared baking dish. Spread
topping evenly over blueberries. Bake for 30 minutes, or until
bubbly. Allow to cool at least 10 minutes before serving.
Makes 8 to 10 servings.
PHOTO: EKATERINA KONDRATOVA/SHUTTERSTOCKFOOD
Chilled
Blueberry Soup
PHOTO: BECKY LUIGART-STAYNERFOOD
CHILLED BLUEBERRY SOUP
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 cups cold water, divided
2-1/2 cups fresh blueberries
1-1/2 cups marsala wine
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
In a bowl, dissolve cornstarch in 1/4 cup of cold water.
In a saucepan over low heat, cook blueberries, dissolved
cornstarch, remaining cold water, wine, and sugar. Cook
for 15 minutes, or until blueberries are soft. Set aside for 10
minutes to cool.
In a blender or food processor, purée mixture until ingredients
are incorporated and smooth. Chill in refrigerator. Before
serving, add sour cream and stir. Serve in chilled bowls.
Makes 6 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: BECKY LUIGART-STAYNERAMUSEMENT
Peculiar Laws That
Explain Everything
Part 2
OK, not “everything,” but these laws do shed light
on a number of life’s mysteries.
ILLUSTRATION: TIM ROBINSONAMUSEMENT
MARCHETTI’S
CONSTANT
From: Italian physicist
Cesare Marchetti (1994)
What it says: In all
places throughout
history, the average
time that the average
human being takes to
travel to and from work
each day is 1 hour,
regardless of the form of
transportation.
What it means: As
roads and mass transit
are improved, people
will choose to live farther
away from their jobs.
Example: A person
who moves close to the
workplace in order to
give up a car (to walk,
bike, or commute by What it means: 80 population controlled
other means) will spend percent of a company’s 82.7 percent of the
as much time getting to sales come from 20 world’s income.
work as he or she did percent of the sales force;
driving. 80 percent of complaints SAYRE’S LAW
come from 20 percent of From: American political
THE PARETO customers; 80 percent of scientist Wallace Stanley
PRINCIPLE crimes are committed by Sayre (1973)
From: Italian economist 20 percent of criminals; What it says:
Vilfredo Pareto (1906) and so forth. “Academic politics is the
What it says: 80 Example: In 1992, most vicious and bitter
percent of the effect the United Nations form of politics, because
comes from 20 percent reported that the richest the stakes are so low.”
of the causes. 20 percent of the world’s What it means: The
ILLUSTRATION: TIM ROBINSONAMUSEMENT
less important the issue, What it says: No psychologist Bluma
the more emotional the discovery is ever named Zeigarnik (1927)
debate. after its discoverer. What it says: We are
Example: In any New What it means: The more likely to remember
England town meeting, credit for important incomplete or interrupted
there is likely to be more findings often goes to tasks than those that we
impassioned debate over someone else. have finished.
spending $100 than on Example: America is What it means:
spending $100,000. named after Amerigo Cramming for a test is
Vespucci (not ineffective.
STIGLER’S LAW indigenous peoples, Example: Students
OF EPONOMY Norsemen, or even studying for an exam
From: American statistics Christopher Columbus). remember the material
professor Stephen Stigler better if they take breaks
(1980), who attributed it THE ZEIGARNIK to do other things or
to sociologist Robert K. EFFECT study other subjects.
Merton. From: Russian –Tim Clark
ILLUSTRATION: TIM ROBINSONGARDENING
Dealing With
Drought
A primer for dry days
PHOTO: KATHRYN ROACH/SHUTTERSTOCKGARDENING
D
rought is as water-holding sponge. Dig 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch
common as 2 to 4 inches of organic over all beds. Make sure
thunderstorms material into the top 8 to that it does not touch plant
and hot summer days. It’s 10 inches of soil in every stems, however, because
a normal part of all climate 100 square feet (a 10x10- this can foster disease.
but differs in various parts foot area). Make sure Mulches can be organic
of the country, which that the dirt and organic materials (which eventu-
is why experts advise matter are mixed evenly. ally rot and improve the
preparing for it every year, Solid layers will prevent soil) such as shredded
no matter what forecasters water from reaching roots. bark, compost, straw, pine
predict. Even in the heart of Compost, manure, rotted needles, and wood chips or
summer, you can mitigate sawdust, shredded leaves, inorganic materials such as
drought by improving aged grass clippings (that stone, woven plastic land-
the soil, mulching, and have not been treated scape cloth, and gravel.
using Xeriscape and with a weed killer), and
native plants. If rainfall is shredded tree bark are all SIMPLIFY YOUR
normal, your efforts won’t good organic additives. SITUATION
be wasted. Garden chores Also dig and amend beds Consider landscape
will be easier, plants will 3 to 4 inches deeper than changes that will decrease
perform better, and the normal. Plants will be water use.
water bill will be lower much more drought-resis- • Reduce your lawn size.
than in previous years. tant when their roots are Convert the edges to deep
encouraged by loose soil to garden beds prepared with
SURPRISE YOUR SOIL grow farther into the earth. organic matter, as described.
When water is precious, Fill them with native and
soil that holds moisture is a MULCH LIKE YOU water-lean shrubs, flowers,
necessity. Actually, soil that MEAN IT and foliage plants from the
acts like a sponge is desirable Mulch to retain soil lists in this article.
in any situation. You don’t moisture. Research has • Plant shrubs, trees, and
have to water as often, and shown that mulched soil flowers that are native to
plants thrive with continual conserves moisture by your region. They are the
moisture, which moves reducing the evaporation most drought-tolerant.
nutrients to their roots. of water vapor from the • Group plants accord-
Most garden soil is soil surface. Mulched ing to water needs. Place
either sandy or full of clay. soil also allows water to those that require the least
Neither holds moisture penetrate deeper, and it amount farthest from the
well. Organic matter will stops water-robbing weeds house, in the hot sun. Re-
turn any type of soil into a from growing. Spread a serve the areas close to theGARDENING
house for plants that drink covered with millions of • Stop fertilizing. It only
the most. You will cut wa- tiny hairs, which insu- promotes blade growth.
ter requirements drastical- late the plant and reduce • Leave clippings on the
ly, and you still can have a water loss. Waxy leaves lawn to provide the kind
few thirsty favorites nearby insulate, too, and plants of nutrition needed to
to enjoy. If water rationing such as barberries, vincas, maintain root systems.
is imposed, you can easily coreopsis, and daylilies • Avoid weed killers. They
carry household wastewa- do well when water is tax root systems.
ter to the closer plants. scarce. Succulents store • Keep mower blades sharp.
• Plant in the shade. moisture in their leaves for A dull blade shreds grass
Lush, cool-looking plants lean times. ‘Autumn Joy’ and increases water loss.
like hostas, ferns, and sedum and portulaca are • Mow only when needed.
impatiens thrive in deep two that add appeal to any Never remove more
shade, where they use landscape. Another Xeri- than one-third at a time.
much less water than do scape characteristic is red Mowing tall will shade
plants in the sun. leaves. The pigment acts as roots and promote a
a sunscreen, allowing these deeper root system.
EXAMINE plants to tolerate more • Mow in the evening,
XERISCAPING heat and use less water when the temperature is
Xeriscape plants survive than green-leaf varieties. cooler and cut grass loses
droughts anywhere. Look less water.
for plants with silvery, GO EASY ON GRASS • Reduce foot traffic on turf,
hairy, or waxy leaves or Lawns use more water especially during the heat
those that are succulent than any other part of the of the day, when crushed
(thick and fleshy). Sil- landscape, so train your grass blades will dehydrate.
ver and hairy leaves are turf to be tough. –Doreen G. Howard
SEEK OUT SURVIVORS
It’s not too late to plan or plant. In the coming days and weeks, as the growing season winds down,
many nurseries will begin to mark down the prices of many of their plants. The following are drought
survivors that you might get at a bargain rate and be happy to have when things dry up again.
ANNUALS Salvia Baby’s breath Gaillardia Rudbeckia Honeysuckle
Alyssum Sunflower Baptisia Globe thistle Russian sage Juniper
Calendula Verbena Bearded iris Lamb’s-ear Salvia Potentilla
Cleome Vinca Bergenia Lavender Scabiosa Privet
Four-o’clock Zinnia Columbine Liatris Sea lavender Rugosa rose
Lantana PERENNIALS Coreopsis Lupine Yarrow Sumac
Larkspur Acanthus Daylily Mallow SHRUBS Wisteria
Morning glory Artemisia Dianthus Poppy Barberry
Nicotiana Asclepia Euphorbia Purple Buddleia
Portulaca Aster Foxglove coneflower HollyL I V I N G N AT U R A L LY
Summer Food Safety
PHOTO: PIXABAYL I V I N G N AT U R A L LY
A
s a casual cook, the grilled chicken and Disease Control and
I usually throw burgers get tested for Prevention (CDC).
together a dish doneness with a meat Critics have charged
quickly based on what’s thermometer and eaten that overlapping
in season, but in the soon after cooking or be responsibilities,
area of food safety, I’m a refrigerated for reheating conflicts of interest,
stickler for the rules. later. inadequate funding
One in six Americans Food contamination for inspectors, and
this year will get sick can happen at any point lack of accountability
from something they ate. along the chain from soil and transparency in
According to the Center to plate. food production and
for Disease Control and Almost every day, the processing make it a
Prevention (CDC): Of news offers up some challenge to ensure a safe
the 48 million people story of a food recalled food supply.
who get sick from for (usually) bacterial Perhaps, like me, you
something they’ve eaten, contamination, or of produce and preserve
128,000 of them end up restaurant patrons, a lot of your food and
in the hospital, and 3,000 cruise ship travelers, buy most of the rest of
die. Sobering. or school children it from local growers.
So, I’m the one on falling sick from Unfortunately, this
the summer festival something prepared does not mean that
planning committee in a presumably growing your own or
who insists that the licensed commercial or knowing the farmer who
donated watermelons institutional kitchen. produced your food
be scrubbed with a stiff As many as 15 federal guarantees its safety. Pay
brush and rinsed off with agencies play some role close attention to what
a hose before they are cut in overseeing food safety you do control and keep
and served. in the United States, an eye out for recalls.
I’m the one at the but the primary ones
summer potluck who are the Food Safety and FOUR BASIC FOOD
insists that the deviled Inspection Service (FSIS) SAFETY GUIDELINES
eggs and chicken salad of the U.S. Department Most of what you need
stay in their coolers of Agriculture, the to know can be summed
before and after their U.S. Food and Drug up in four words: clean,
brief appearance on the Administration (FDA), separate, cook, and chill.
serving table and that and the Centers for Here are four basic rules,L I V I N G N AT U R A L LY
based on Foodsafety.gov song from beginning to cucumbers with a clean
guidelines. end—twice. Also, clean produce brush. Don’t
hands after using the toilet wash meat, poultry,
1. Clean Hands, Utensils, or touching a child or eggs, or bagged produce
and Produce. animal and after blowing marked “prewashed.”
Clean your hands before, your nose, coughing, or
during, and after touching sneezing. 2. Separate Foods. Don’t
food: Use plain soap Clean cutting boards, Cross-Contaminate.
and water—and scrub dishes, utensils, and Use separate cutting
the backs of your hands, countertops with hot, boards, one for fresh
between your fingers, and soapy water. Wash produce or other foods
under your nails for at dishcloths often in the that won’t be cooked
least 20 seconds. hot cycle of your washing before they’re eaten and
Need a timer? Hum machine. one for raw meat, poultry,
the “Happy Birthday” Clean produce. Rinse or seafood. Use separate
all fruit and vegetables plates and utensils for
TAP FOR OUR under running water cooked and raw foods.
MINIMUM COOKING
without soap, bleach, Keep certain types of
TEMPERATURES TABLE.
or commercial produce food separate. In your
TAP FOR OUR SAFE washes. Scrub firm shopping cart, separate
STORAGE TIMES TABLE. produce like melons or raw meat, poultry,
PHOTO: GORODENKOFF/GETTY IMAGESL I V I N G N AT U R A L LY
seafood, and eggs from eter in the thickest part 4. Chill: Refrigerate and
other foods and place of the food, making sure Freeze Food Properly.
packages of raw meat, not to touch bone, fat, or Refrigerate perishable
poultry, and seafood in gristle. foods within 2 hours.
plastic bags if available. Reference a Minimum If the food is exposed
When you check out, Cooking Temperatures to temperatures above
place raw meat, poultry, table in a cookbook or 90°F (such as in a hot car
and seafood in bags online to be sure that or at a summer picnic),
separate from other your foods have reached refrigerate it within 1
foods. a safe temperature. hour.
At home, place raw Keep food hot (140˚F Your refrigerator
meat, poultry, and or above) after cooking. should be set to 40°F or
seafood in containers If you’re not serving below and your freezer
or sealed plastic bags. food right after cooking, to 0°F or below. Use an
Freeze them if you’re not keep it out of the appliance thermometer
planning to use them temperature danger zone to be sure.
within a few days. (from 40° to 140°F) by Never thaw or
In the fridge, keep using a heat source like marinate foods on
eggs in their original a chafing dish, warming the counter. The
carton and store tray, or slow cooker. safest way to thaw or
them in the main Microwave food marinate meat, poultry,
compartment—not in thoroughly (165˚F and seafood is in the
the door. or above). Read the refrigerator.
package directions for Know when to throw
3. Cook to the Right cooking and follow them out food by researching
Temperature. exactly to make sure that a Safe Storage Times
Food is safely cooked the food is thoroughly table and keeping it
when the internal cooked. handy. Be sure to throw
temperature is high If the food label says, food out before harmful
enough to kill germs that “Let stand for x minutes bacteria can grow.
can make you sick. after cooking,” follow –Margaret Boyles
Use a food thermom- the directions—letting
eter to be sure your food microwaved food sit for TAP TO READ MORE OF
is safe. When you think a few minutes enables MARGARET BOYLES’S
that your food is done, colder areas to absorb POSTS IN HER “LIVING
place the food thermom- NATURALLY” BLOG
heat from hotter areas.Pre-Sale Starts Now!
Get the #1 Farmer’s Almanac in America
PRE-ORDER NOW!s
ss W E AT H E R F O R EC A S TS
WHEN SHEEP COLLECT AND HUDDLE,
TOMORROW WILL BE A PUDDLE.
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 de-
WEATHER? viations 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 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: PIXABAYs
ss W E AT H E R F O R EC A S TS
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 JULY
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.s
ss W E AT H E R U P DAT E
vacation weather, here we come!
C
anada Day, July 1, will be pleasant showers and thunderstorms are
and sunny from the Maritimes expected from the Great Lakes and
back through Quebec. Some Appalachians up through New
spotty thunderstorms will move England. Especially in areas farther
across southern Ontario, while a cool north, the 4th will be cooler than
day with clouds and showers will be normal. Thunderstorms will also be
on the way through the Prairies and a possibility from the Upper Midwest
the Northwest Territories. Milder air to the northern Plains. Much of Texas
will be in place toward Yukon and and Oklahoma will be sunny and
British Columbia, although there warm, while isolated thunderstorms
still could be a few showers scattered may develop in the Rockies. While
around. monsoon thunderstorms will dot
Independence Day in the United the Desert Southwest, the West Coast
States on the 4th will be a good will generally be sunny. With the dry
one for finding a pool, pond, or conditions that are common in the
beach across the Southeast, where West in July, be very careful with any
it will be sunny and hot. Scattered fireworks, as even a small spark on
PHOTO: PIXABAYs ss W E AT H E R U P DAT E the dry ground can ultimately lead to Ohio Valley. While New England can a wildfire. Alaska will be dry as well, expect a wet July, much of the rest while a few showers will move across of the eastern third of the country Hawaii. will be on the drier side. Much of the National Ice Cream Day is July 17! Plains and the West will be dry as well. The best places to grab a chocolate Alaska and Hawaii will both be warm, cone will be across much of the with near- or below-normal rainfall. western U.S., where temperatures are Across Canada, the warmest areas expected to be above average. Most will be in the Maritimes and British areas will be dry, although isolated Columbia, with temperatures near thunderstorms will be a possibility, or slightly below normal elsewhere. especially in the mountains. A hot Precipitation will generally be above day is also on the way from Texas into normal, with the exception of locales Oklahoma. Much of the eastern U.S. in the Northwest Territories. will have a chance of thunderstorms, For those with vacation plans although portions of the mid-Atlantic throughout July, the below-normal will likely stay dry. The ice cream will rainfall in many areas will lead to be melting fast in Hawaii, where it more dry days, meaning fewer travel will be sunny and hot. Even in Alaska, delays on the roads and in the air. The it will be warm with a few showers. combination of drier and warmer- Across Canada, where vanilla lovers than-normal conditions will help outnumber chocolate aficionados, it to make for great beach weather a will be a pretty warm day from coast lot of the time. Looking ahead to to coast. The best chances for showers August, we expect wetter conditions and thunderstorms will be across the across much of the northern U.S. East and in the Prairies. and southern Canada, with the drier Utah will be celebrating Pioneer conditions persisting farther south. Day on July 24, which looks to Most areas will continue to see near- be a hot one with some spotty to above-normal temperatures. As thunderstorms around. for the tropics, watch for tropical Overall, July will be warm storm threats along the Gulf Coast across much of the U.S., although in mid- to late July and across the temperatures will be near- or below- Southeast in mid- to late August. normal from the High Plains through –Michael Steinberg, Old Farmer’s the Upper Midwest and parts of the Almanac meteorologist
s
ss WIT
humor me
grins and groans from the almanac
Fools’ Errands Bishop Vincent said: he paused, at which a
Dr. P. S. Henson once “Ladies and roar of laughter arose
delivered his lecture on gentlemen, we are from the crowd before
“Fools” at the New York now about to listen he continued—“of the
Chautauqua gathering. to a lecture on ‘Fools’ most brilliant men in
In introducing him, by one”—and here America.”
ILLUSTRATION: DRANTE/GETTY IMAGESs
ss WIT
Dr. Henson then sleeve with his left and dismissed visitors
arose and, with a genial hand and peered more adroitly than any
smile, said: anxiously into it. previous occupant of
“Ladies and gen- “Bless my soul!” he the White House.
tlemen, I am not so exclaimed, looking up Sometimes, though,
great a fool as Bishop with great surprise. a visitor would
Vincent”—and here he “I do believe you are show up who did
paused, to great mer- right!” not understand the
riment—“would have nuances of tactfulness
you believe.” Beach Ball’d and would overstay his
A small boy was sitting time. On the nature of
Disarming Comment on his father’s knee as such visitors, Wilson
A one-armed man he watched his mother once recounted a
entered a restaurant going through the story to a luncheon in
in New Jersey and delicate operations Washington:
seated himself next to necessary to impart “There was on old
a dapper little other- that most becoming fellow,” Wilson began,
people’s-business man. wave effect to her hair. “who was praising to
The latter at once “No waves for you, others a rising young
noticed his neighbor’s Pa,” said the child lawyer in his town.”
right sleeve hanging philosopher, as he “‘For someone so
loose and kept eyeing it fondly polished his busy,’ said the old man,
in a how-did-it-happen parent’s bald pate. ‘George is one of the
sort of way, but the “You’re all beach.” pleasantest chaps I
one-armed man paid have ever met. Why, I
no attention to him. Come Again? dropped in on him for a
The busybody at last Partly because of his social call this morning,
cleared his throat and training at Princeton— and I hadn’t been
said, “I beg your pardon, but just as much chattin’ with him more
sir, but I see that you because of his natural than 15 minutes before
have lost an arm.” tact—President he’d told me three times
The one-armed Woodrow Wilson was to come back and see
man picked up his said to have received him again.’”s
ss
WHAT’S NEXT
CALENDAR
AMUSEMENT ASTRONOMY
Moon phases;
What Is the Smallest Explore with
August birthstone,
That Anything our Sky Map
holidays, and
Can Possibly Be?
full Moon names
LIVING
GARDENING NATURALLY
The Un(in)tended FOOD Make an
Garden Recipes for Herbal Salve
Peppers Aplenty
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 September EXTRA!
CELEBRATING THE ALMANAC’S 231ST YEAR!You can also read
