Weather Myths: Jack Wax and Dandelions

Global Warming and Snowstorm Myths

January is doing what January is suppose to do – snow, cold, wind, dead batteries, frozen water pipes, shoveling sidewalks, driveways and roofs. And it doesn't look like it's going to ease up anytime soon, if the forecasts are on target.
There's been a lot of comments about the cold and global warming. A comment heard frequently all week goes like: “What happened to global warming?” or a similar version of the question with some added political comments included.
The cold weather doesn't mean global warming is some sort of giant trick or a myth being played on the world community. Quite the opposite; the cold weather is an indicator that our weather is changing. The hard facts of science are real, our climates are changing; the myth is actually trying to debunk global warming, or pretending it doesn't exist.
Perhaps, a better phrase instead of global warming, would be “freaky weather changes”. Overall though, the changes are getting more and more dramatic if one looks at the long term instead of a particular cold frontal system.
A good article from the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Co. has an interesting perspective on what appears to be contradictions in the weather. Basically, according to the report, the record high temperatures are far out pacing the recorded low temperatures throughout the US. Facts are facts; myths remain myths.
Sure, we have occasional bouts with cold weather, but one has to look a little beyond the present, and delve into our ancient past. Besides, winters use to be a lot more ferocious than they seem to be now. That is no myth.

Jack Wax and the Groundhog


Groundhog Day is Tuesday, February 2nd, something of a sign of approaching spring. But the real indicators are when the sap begins to flow in the sugar maples trees and the fires are lit in sugar shacks all across the north.
Jack Wax is rustic maple sugar candy and one of the best candies ever made. It's pretty simple to do and can even be made at home. Basically, boiling the sap until it is close to being syrup, is poured on the clean snow or in a hole in the snow. It quickly hardens like a taffy. Nothing better on a chilly winter day and much better tasting than some other spring related celebrations.
Maple producers work hard and are generally family owned and operated. In northwestern PA, the big event of the year is a “Taste and Tour” weekend. It is an open house where everyone is invited to dozens of participating sugar shacks to learn about maple syrup, how it is made (pictured above) and to taste free samples of maple products.
If you get a chance to talk to a producer or two, the conversation will likely lead to the subject of the earlier and earlier runs of the sap. For the sap to run, the trees need warm days above freezing, and cold nights when the thermometer dips below freezing. It use to be the run happened in mid-March, nowadays it's more like mid-February. Someone say “global warming”?
The weekend for the event is March 20 and 21st, and there will be the first ever Maple Festival organized by the association at the Edinboro Fire Hall the same weekend. For more information, Northwest Pennsylvania Maple Association.
If you can't make it, or are looking for unique gifts, there are links in the Web site with listing of sugar shacks and products available.

Wild Horses


Thanks to Linda Nickerson for the information and the protest regarding the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) round-up of wild horses in Nevada. The government sponsored helicopter round-up began on December 28th and is expected to continue for the next two months during the harsh winter weather (no, I won't mention global warming).
Protests over the cruel winter round-up and the use of helicopters are beginning to spread across the nation and Linda has an article with some more information, click here.
If your concerned about our wild horses, or interested in the BLM adopt a horse program, Linda is a great resource. For her article Linda used the photograph above which is from the BLM. It's a nice photograph, wish the round-up was a little nicer.
One of Linda's blogs, “Simply Snickers”, is posted below in “Good Blogs”. Thanks, Linda for sharing. Maybe we can get you some, Jack Wax.

Dandelions:


We are all familiar with these early spring bloomers. Kathleen Richardson, who is also listed in “Good Blogs” below, contributed these photographs, after reading a Helium article “Defending Dandelions”.
Kathleen's son took these photo's while he was stationed in Alaska. Dandelions are a global plant and are good eating and considered an herb. A friend from Portugal says they call them dentes de leano (thinking means tooth of the lion). Read Kathleen's blog, “On Your Way to the Top” listed below about how she remembers them.
Dandelions don't make Jack Wax, but they can be used to make wines, jellies and tea.
Many times, the dandelion is considered a weed, another myth, and is sprayed with deadly chemicals. The flowers, however, are an important food source for our native bees, and the gentle honeybee and their populations are in serious decline. For more information read, Defending Dandelions.
A special thanks to Kathleen for contributing the photographs, bet a piece or two of Jack Wax won't tip any scales.

Good Blogs

Vincent di Fondi – Vincent is retired, enjoying the good life in Costa Rica and has just published his first novel. Lucky, Vincent, doesn't have to shovel.

On Your Way to the Top – Kathleen's homespun insights and adventures.

Veggie Garden – Dan is a backyard gardener in nearby Ontario. He is listing some insights about seed companies and getting his spring garden ordered.

Simply Snickers – This is a great blog with a lot of fun things, insights and projects by Linda

Travel Destination – Kathleen also writes a Helium Zone blog about New York's Southern Tier.

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You may also be interested in some of these links at Associated Content. Thanks.

Many Moons and the Full Corn Moon

Manyel and Speckled Roman Ripen on the Full Corn Moon

The Manyel and Speckled Romans are starting to turn ripe with more vigor. It has been a late year year for tomatoes and, to date luckily, no late blight has appeared.

Manyel is a heirloom variety said to be of Native American origins. While a lot of sources make that claim and even translate the name “Manyel” to mean, “many moons”, I can't find any hard documentation (yet). But it is a great tasting yellow tomato with what I think is a great flavor. It's hardy and productive. The plants I grew this year, as in the past, were started from seeds saved in previous years.

I did spray the Manyels with compost tea and a baking soda spray several times a week over the rainy summer, both reputed to help against the blight. Perhaps, the sprays worked, perhaps the variety is more resistant to late blight. There are a lot of questions and few answers.

My second favorite is a variety called “Speckled Roman”. It is something like a giant Roma, a lot of pulp, very few seeds and flavorful. It makes a great sauce and often I have to add some juicier tomatoes. The Speckled Roman is also one of the best for drying. Like Manyel, it is indeterminate, open pollinated, and a heavy producer. It too was sprayed with home remedies for the blight.

It really isn't a heirloom but rather a newer introduction, a cross between a Banana Leg and an Antique Roman. It was developed by a plant breeder, John Swenson. This tomato is an orange-ish red color with yellow streaks, with the Manyel, it makes a great colorful combination in the garden.

For color, flavor and production, these two tomatoes are worth consideration next year.
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Buy a Book
Shop for books at your local independent bookstore. How about a book on tomatoes? Or one by Sam Hossler, who writes fictional novels based on historical events of northwestern PA or new author, Vincent di Fondi, Blessed Abduction. Click the ad below to order and purchase.

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Fleas and Ticks – Be Careful


Now that summer has arrived in early September with the Full Corn Moon, fleas and ticks are a problem. Be careful using the the spot on treatments, be sure to follow the directions carefully if you use the stuff. Click here to get more information, these products can be harmful and in some cases fatal to children and pets.

H1N1

Be prepared. Get informed, Click the ad to keep updated.


Adopt a Horse



National Adopt a Horse Day is scheduled for September 26 in 19 locations. If you have the space and the time, consider adopting and helping these beautiful animals. Click here for more information. Congratulations to Linda Nickerson who will be writing more about horses on the national level.

Mountain Ash Lore


Some folklore says that an abundance of mountain ash berries predicts a mild winter. Well, the trees here in northwestern Pennsylvania have lots and lots of berries this year. The berries, for the creative cooks, can be used to make jams and jellies and wine. Learn more about our native Mountain Ash trees.

Clean Water Festival



If your in the area and free, check out the Clean Water Festival at the Woodcock Nature Center September 26. It's free and a lot of fun activities for the entire family. For more information, festival@crawfordconservation.com
or call Brian Pilarcik at 814-763-5269

For the Heck of It:

Elderberries are getting ripe. They do make a great pie and some of the best jelly. There's been some talk how the berries might help reduce H1N1 flu symptoms, well, maybe they did that many moons agop, stick with modern medicine, but I wouldn't dismiss the idea. There will be lots of those claims but natural foods do have benefits.

Joe Pye Weed is blooming. The plant attracts a good many pollinators and is a good wildflower to have in an ornamental garden. No one seems to know for sure where the name originated but it sure isn't a weed in an obnoxious sense.



Many moons of eating fresh corn, even the frogs on the lily pads in the background agree.


Informative and Good Reading Blogs

Vincent di Fondi- Vincent just published his first novel, Blessed Abduction, available through the Indie link. Or check his blog to learn more about the novel and his new home in Costa Rica.

On Your Way to the Top – Kathleen always has good insights

New York's Southern Tier – A travel destination in nearby New York by Richardson

Urban Veggie Blog – Dan is located in nearby Ontario and he has tips on saving tomato seeds.

Simply Snickers - a Blog by Linda Nickerson

Other articles I have written for Helium can be found by clicking the title; others can be found below in the box at HubPages.

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