The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The Wisdom Of Barnyard Bruke: "Other Say'ns and Superstitions"

Greetings ta ever one in western Illinois and all readers of The Quill.

Here we are into October already and into the thick of harvest. Most of the corn and bean yields are reported as good and better then expected. There have been a few disappointments but fer the most part they are decidedly in the minority.

I'm a hope'n ever one is careful as they travel the rural roads. Betwixt the deer and slow move'n large farm equipment those rural roads can present a danger if'n ya aren't careful. One mishap and you've spoiled your day at best.

Last weeks column was written about Sociology, Adages and Say'ns as they related ta lessons reminded of on the "Heritage Trail". They touched on teach'n rural values and beliefs and their importance in pass'n them down across generations.

Well, fer this weeks column I'm pass'n on ta ya other say'ns and superstitions that were used by folk of the land. These also were passed along from generation to generation.

Today we have science based information that has replaced many of these adages. That be'n so, it remains interest'n ta review our ancestor advice as they come ta memory.

So, here ya have a few. They will probably be familiar ta ya especially if'n ya gots a little age under your belt:

• Frost 90 days after the first locust call.
• First frost 6 weeks after ya hear cicadas.
• Frost comes six months after the first thunderstorm.
• Red sky in morn'n sailors take warn'n, red sky at night, sailor's delight.
• If'n the grass is dry in the morn'n, its gonna rain.
• If'n flies are bite'n, its gonna rain.
• If'n it rains on Easter Sunday, ya will get seven Sundays in a row with rain.
• If'n rings are visible around the moon, it is sure ta rain.
• It won't rain much if'n the chickens run inside.
• A turtle cross'n the road indicates its gonna rain.
• Rain come'n out of the east will last several days.
• If'n rain starts before seven, it will quit by eleven.
• If'n ya need rain, mow hay.
• All signs fail in dry weather.
• Spring begins six weeks after the first bullfrog sounds.
• Plant in the dust and your bins will bust. Plant in the mud and the crops a dud.
• When the wind is out of the west, the fish bite best. When the wind is out of the east, they bite least.
• Giant snowflakes mean it's gonna pile up fast or quit. Small snowflakes and beware of a large snowfall that can last.
• The day of the month the first snowfall comes. tells the number of snows ya will get that winter.
• Weather on September 1 will be the weather for that month. September 2 describes October weather and September 3 describes November.
• If'n a bird flies into your house window, someone in the family will die.
• People in a community die in threes.
• Ta ward off colds and the flu put a herb (acifidity) in a cloth and hang it around your neck.
• If'n an owl flaps at your window, someone who lives there will die.
• Dumb as sheep
• Castrate when the sign is below knees.
• Cows will calve on a full moon.
• Root hog or die!
• Wean calves under a full moon.
• If'n your nose itches, someones come'n with a hole in their britches.
• If'n your ears itch, someones talk'n about ya.
• Break a mirror and have seven years bad luck.
• Tell your dream before breakfast and it won't come true.
• If'n a turtle bites ya it won't let go until it thunders.
• It'd bad luck to spill salt. Throw some over your left shoulder ta break the spell.
• A little clean dirt never hurt anyone.
• Turn around if'n a black cat crosses your path.
• Plant potatoes on Good Friday
• Corn should be knee high by the fourth of July.
• Plant radishes under the wrong sign and they will be all tops.
• Plant corn when the leaves on the hedge row are the size of squirrel's ears.
• Put hedge posts in the ground in the dark of the moon and they won't heave out.
• Always dig horseradish in a month with an "r" in it.
• Don't plow snow it will ruin the soil.
• Anything planted on Sunday won't grow well.
• The work ya accomplish on Sunday will be lost on Monday.
• Plant, set eggs, wean calves under the wax'n moon.
• Cultivate, hoof trim, castrate, dehorn under a waning moon.
• Plant potatoes before Easter and they will rot in the ground.
• Plant potatoes by St. Patrick's Day.
• Plant a second crop of potatoes by the light of the moon in June.
• Plant grass seed on August 21.
• Never start planting or a harvest on a Friday or you'll never finish.
• 90 days from fog "til snow.
• Put milkweed juice on your planter wart after you've scratched it raw and it will go away.
• Eat poison ivy and it will break your allergy (if'n ya live that is).
• Turn the straps on your bib overalls twisted one half turn and ya won't be struck by lightning.
• If'n the hairs on your arm begin ta rise dur'n a thunderstorm, ya are about ta be struck by lightning.
• Lightning never strikes the same place twice. (Not true).
• The is cold lightning and hot lightning depend'n on whether it originates from the ground or sky. It's best if'n ya has to be struck to be struck by cold lightning.

Well there ya has it then, some old superstitions and admonitions. Take em fer what they are worth.

Hope'n to see ya in church this week,

Wherever ya is, whatever ya be a do'n "BE A GOOD ONE!"

Keep on Smile'n

Catch Ya Later

BARNYARD BRUKE