The color shades for next year will be sage and other greens. ‘Green is the color that represents a larger social movement,? says a Pantone rep. There’ll be new neutrals, subtle nuances, such as when you’re not sure if it’s blue or grey.
For women, destroyed denims are out. So is high maintenance silver and black lacquer furniture. Too much work.
Here’s a deal: A donation of as little as $1,500 will buy the privilege of naming one of 600 new ant species found in Madagascar. Entomologist Dr. Brian Fisher is trying to create a data base to identify ants anywhere in the world. That’s important! Yeah!
Among the things the Almanac says people are talking about are solar-powered backpacks to recharge cellphones, tractors with power steering, spectator sections in labor and delivery rooms, in-flight foreign language classes and replacing lawns with low-maintenance, chemical-free meadows of native grasses and wildflowers.
Even The Old Farmer’s Almanac can’t avoid saying something about sex, though in this case it’s ‘How to impress the opposite sex.?
Here are the eight ways they suggest: 1. Stop trying so hard. 2. Ignore rule 1. 3. Do well what you do best. 4. Make sure that you smell good.
5. Dress the part. 6. Stop blowing smoke and start sending signals. 7. Spend time, not (lots of) money 8. Be yourself.
For first impressions: Ladies avoid clothing with shoulder pads. Men, don’t shave your legs. Both, perfume your body, not your clothes, and ignore all scientific studies that suggest human sweat is desirable.
Use some mystery: Ladies, keep you age to yourself. Men, it’s OK to inflate your age. Both, keep your feet out of your mouth, don’t monopolize, don’t exaggerate and use some compliments.
This issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac will also tell you how to whistle, with tongue and lip exercises and positions. They didn’t work for me.
The ‘biggie? in The Almanac is always astrology and the weather. The Lower Lakes weather summary is: Winter will be colder than normal, on average, especially in the west. Precipitation will be below normal, with below-normal snowfall except in the west (west means Milwaukee, Chicago and Indianapolis), and lake-efffect areas.
The coldest temperatures will be around Christmas and in early to mid- to late January and late February. The heaviest general snowfalls will be in mid-December, early and late January and mid-February.
April and May will be warmer and drier than normal. The period from mid-April through mid-May will be much warmer than normal, with summer-like temperatures in mid-to-late April and mid-May.
Summer will be a bit cooler and wetter than normal, on average. The hottest period will be in late July.
September and October will be cooler and drier than normal, on average.
The Almanac says while weather cannot be predicted with total accuracy, the history of their predictions shows 80 percent accuracy.
Quote from an unknown,? The only perfect climate is in bed.?
When in doubt about temperatures, count on the cricket. The chirping of a cricket provides a clue to air temperature. Count the number of cricket chirps in a 14-second period. Add 40. The total will equal the air temperature (F) to within one degree (75 percent of the time).
Scientific researchers, experimenting over an 18 month period, found red heads feel more pain. However, blondes were not included in the survey, with no explanation.
Two studies at the University of Michigan showed older people have less negative emotions — are less grumpy.
Enough? The Old Farmer’s Almanac is on sale at lots of stores.