By Staff
As hard as it is to believe, the leaves are beginning to change colors.
It is pitch black when I get up in the morning and it just feels like fall is in the air.
Even though the calender says autumn begins on Sept. 22, it always comes as a surprise that summer is already over.
So much of our lives revolves around the seasons and weather.
When my daughter said she was going to be married over Labor Day weekend - outside - I had some misgivings.
It could have rained or turned bitter cold.
Instead, we were blessed with a gorgeous weekend of pleasant temperatures, sun and not a rain cloud in sight.
It couldn't have gone better.
One of my favorite things I receive in the mail is a promo copy of The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Since 1792, farmers, housewives and others have turned to the book with the yellow cover.
In all those years they never missed publishing an edition, making the almanac the oldest continuously published periodical in North America.
Want an advance on the weather coming this winter?
In our area, the prediction hints those in the Great Lakes area should buy a snow shovel.
The summer of 2006 is also expected to be warmer then normal.
Weather predictions to help farmers plant and harvest crops aren't the book's only claim to fame.
The book also packs in hints on fashion, gardening, home ideas and more.
You can even find a recipe for the edible weeds in your garden.
I have been very tempted to get a few chickens at my country house, so we can have fresh eggs.
In this issue of the Old Farmer's Almanac they explain how you can train a chicken to come when called.
That would be be a change from my cats.
In this issue I also learned the origin of my favorite Chinese dish - General Tso's chicken.
He actually existed in the 1800s and was known to have devoured huge quantities of meat.
I am glad for the chef who passed down the recipe.
Get your copy and enjoy the fun facts and possibly learn when to bring that umbrella.
She can be e-mailed at marcia.steffens@leaderpub.com.