By Staff
The arrival of the Old Farmer's Almanac is always a special treat.
Along with the advice on gardening, there are always interesting articles and practical information.
Inside the 2007 edition, they look at names and the cyclical choices.
When we are out reporting we find some most unusual names given to children by parents who hope the name they choose will be unique.
Often though, the name they chose has already been thought of by many more people that very same year.
According to the Almanac, full names, not nicknames, are in favor. Biblical standbys are still the choice of many for their newborn.
Mother's and grandmother's maiden names are being used as first or middle names.
In the past, immigrant families picked American-sounding names, but now the trend is to return to the families' nationality to seek names.
I found it interesting that the article gave African-Americans credit for making up creative names, whereas white Americans usually felt a name must have already been used to be a real name.
This is finally shifting, with each race believing they can be creative in their choice of names, the article contends.
I just know as a reporter, these different spellings can make life quite hard when interviewing.
Another article in this year's book with the traditional yellow cover, is about how our pets communicate with a selection of examples.
I am constantly amazed that if you are observant, you can learn what your pets are telling you. How do they know it is just a few minutes before my alarm is about to ring?
Perfect for the coming season are the clues from a pumpkin man in California, who carves unusual looking faces on 500- pound pumpkins.
Most fun is the selection of April Fools' Day jokes.
Along with explaining where the tradition comes from, some of the best jokes are repeated.
A 1957 news spot on the BBC describing the good crop on Swiss spaghetti trees, had people calling in wishing to buy the trees.
And I wonder how many people actually disconnected their computers in 1997, when it was reported to do so, as the Internet would be closed for cleaning between March 31 and April 2.
If you like to whistle, check out the story on how whistling is finally getting attention and no longer considered rude and uncouth.
I only whistle when I want the dog to come in, but she usually ignores me. One whistler apparently earned an equivalent of $8,000, in today's dollars, for her 1923 performances.
Living in the best area for apples, you might like to try your luck with dwarf varieties, as discussed in this 2007 Almanac.
Hopefully I haven't spoiled this year's book for other fans.
I won't go into the weather predication, you will just have to pick up your own copy.
The Almanac says its weather forecasts are 80-percent accurate. If the "heavier-than-normal snowfalls" do come to the upper Midwest, kids should be happy with snow days, but parents still need to find ways to get to work.
If you enjoy watching weather reports, the explanations of weather terms should help you understand what the meteorologist on television is saying.
Be sure to put the viewing of the planet Uranus on your calendar. Apparently the discovery of this plant caused near hysterics in 1781, as the discovery of another planet shook their comfortable world.
We will have the chance in 2007 to view Uranus ourselves, unless that is, it is no longer considered a planet.
The Farmer's Almanac, published since 1792, is a pretty good buy today for $5.99.