I enjoy reading about folk lore and the habits of the mountain people. While labeled folk lore, most is based on the observations of the inhabitants of the area. One bit of folk lore is predicting the weather by splitting open the seeds of our native, wild persimmons. Inside of the seed, there is always a shape: a knife, a spoon, or a fork! The first time I saw one I was amazed!
If you see a knife, it means a bitter winter, with gusty winds and lots of ice.
A spoon means heavy, wet snows.
A fork (my personal favorite!) means a mild winter with only light snow.
One site I read advised cutting open at least ten seeds to see what the majority showed.
I was going to take a picture of the inside of one of our persimmon seeds. And you know what? Our trees don't have any persimmons this year! I've never seen this happen before. I suspect it has something to do with those late frosts we had last spring.
A man just north of here (I borrowed his picture--above) says that his persimmon seeds have spoons in them, meaning lots of heavy wet snow. I'm interested to see how close those little seeds come to what actually happens.
Hope you are all having a great week before Thanksgiving. Lots has been going on around here and I haven't had as much time for blogging.
Miss all of you,
R~Mary
As old as I am, I never knew that about the Persimmon seeds until about 4 years ago? But how cool is that? Hmmmm, so we are supposed to have a harsh winter, huh? Oh well, I guess it is about time that we did. Seems like the last few years have been kinda mild to what we "could" have had. I too think it will be interesting to see if your neighbor's Persimmons are telling the truth or not. :)
ReplyDeleteLater,
Aunt DJ
I don't know...I hope your persimmons are wrong...lol!
ReplyDeleteI saw a skinny squirrel the other day...his coat was thin...I was hoping that meant a mild winter...but as one of my bloggers said, it just may mean that this particular squirrel will get really cold...lol!!
Whatever the case...we are all blessed with warm cozy homes!
Aunt DJ, I only learned about the persimmon seeds after we moved up here. I think they are really neat--even if they aren't very accurate--we'll see! I can't remember, do you have any in your yard down there?
ReplyDeleteTammy, I laughed when I was reading your post about the squirrel! We have a fat one and a skinny one in our backyard. The skinny one is ultra-mean to the little fat one. It always runs away when he shows up, LOL! You are right--we are all blessed with warm homes and I am thankful for that.
I don't think we have any down here, but then again I haven't looked. I'll have to ask Bill if he has seen any. We did have a couple of them at the place we just moved from & that is when I learned about their seeds. I know the deer loved them! :)
ReplyDeleteOur squirrels down here, now that I think about it, are kinda fluffy & fat. Hmmm, maybe we all need to make sure the freezer & pantry is well stock for this winter, you think? :) Oh & plenty of books to read.....yep, that might not be a bad idea. Either way the winter goes, at least we'll eat well & have something to do. lol
Later,
Aunt DJ
Interesting folklore. So, do you like persimmon pudding? I had never had it until a couple years ago. I don't really like it.
ReplyDeleteHi littlepenpen, I don't think I've ever had persimmon pudding. I have eaten the persimmons themselves--which are okay--a little on the sweet side. I'm not sure it would be worth all the work it would take to get enough pulp to make the pudding. Maybe someday I'll do that, though.
ReplyDeleteR~Mary
Our trees didn't gift us with any persimmons either? Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family dear friend!
ReplyDeleteInteresting... :-)
ReplyDeleteI understand busy and lack of blogging time; no need to apologize. I'm right there with you, but actually posted today!
Vanessa
Heres warm wishs for you and your family from Nevada. Happy Thanksgiving. I dont have any fruit trees so I can not help you out there. Enjoy. Thanks for being here for us bloggers and friends.
ReplyDeleteRoseMary, that was really interesting. Let us know how it turns out. I wanted to wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving. connie from Texas
ReplyDeleteHi RoseMary,
ReplyDeleteNow I've never heard that one before! It may have something to do with the fact that we don't have persimmon trees up here--at least I don't think so! Anyway-great bit of folk lore!
I"m the same-little time to blog like I'd like too--maybe after the holidays. Why do they always sneak up on us?!!!
Anyway-Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving with your family-Dear RoseMary!
Love Ya-Claudia O.
I so love all of these folklore things...there was a lady near my parents home in TN that was an expert on such ideas. It was always fun to see when she was right!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to wish you a blessed and happy Thanksgiving dear Rosemary!
Hugs,
Sue
Fascinating story! Up here in NH today it's snowing so winter is on it's way.
ReplyDeletePoppin' in to wish you and yours a very Happy & Blessed Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteHi RM,
ReplyDeleteHAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
That is so interesting about the seeds isn't it? I better keep the shovel handy.
NANCY JO
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your day is a blessed one!
ReplyDeleteHello RoseMary
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading about folk lore as well ~ this was an interesting post!
Have you ever read the Foxfire books ? Full of old country lore which is really as you say, just good solid observations of nature
ReplyDeleteRoseMary, just wanted to stop by and say you are missed very much. You have made an impression on my life and I appreciate you very much. Take care, my friend. connie from Texas
ReplyDelete