Once again, the Old Farmer's Almanac comes through with some little gems for today...!
Although the origin of playing practical jokes and pranks on this day is hazy, many folklorists believe that it may go back to 16th-century France.
At that time, New Year’s Day was March 25, with a full week of partying and exchanging gifts lasting until April 1. In 1582, the Gregorian calendar moved New Year’s Day back to January 1.
Those who forgot or refused to honor the new calendar were the butts of jokes and ridicule.
Weather folklore states:
If it thunders on All Fools’ Day, it brings good crops of corn and hay.
On April 1, see both April and May weather predictions for your area—free.
In honor of April 1, we remind you of some very foolish things that have happened within this month.
• Any fool knows that tax day is April 15, but, fittingly, April is also the month in which the U.S. Mint was established, in 1792.
• Alec Guinness was born April 2, 1914, later gaining his fame by publishing every foolish feat that ever set a record.
• On April 7, 1857, snow fell in every southern state in the United States, just to make fools of the weathermen, no doubt.
• And finally, to cap off the foolishness, on April 29, 1848, Niagara Falls stopped flowing for 30 hours. Now that’s foolish!
To be a fool at the right time is also an art.
Now, Let's get another cup of coffee, my friend! It's fresh...NO FOOLING!
Happy April Fools Day, Jim.
ReplyDeleteDon't let the joke be on you.
Happy New Year HJ! ;P
ReplyDeleteMay the thunder roll in your area today and nobody stuff a fish down your shirt!!
Good morning,
ReplyDeleteSo shall we go back in time and start the parting? This is all very interesting. And O Mom the one about the fish I have never heard. That is a good one too.
Have a great day and lets have some coffee.
JoJo
Hey Eddie...same back at ya, friend. I do hope the joke isn't on me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit!
Hey Momma...thanks for those wishes, I think! Hope the weathr straightens up for you soon! I want to know when I can count on starting a garden in that area, ya know?
Hey, thanks for the visit!
Hey JoJo...my camping buddy! So, were you happy with the way the little camper performed? Got to tell me all about it!
Thank you for coming by!
I'll take the coffee!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the neighbors the potatoes should go in around St. Patricks day but it was a bit too cold in my book. I think the first garden at a new place get put in whenever you can get to the spot & get it going. *sigh* not the best situation but better than nothing isn't it? Bet you & nephew have some big plans in the works. And plenty of coffee too.
Are you really a hermit, Jim? Do you live in an isolated place and are responders/posters on your blog a way of connecting with others?
ReplyDeleteJust curious. I'm living a hermit-like life and wondered if others, out there, were isolates too.
Well HJ, the parental units have had their plot (garden plot that is) ready for a couple of weeks. Pops has seeds started in the garage and Mommy Dearest is itching to have him put stuff in the ground (notice how that is worded...that's important).
ReplyDeleteWe have bugs already and the peep frogs are making a racket, so I imagine it won't be too much longer!
Hey Anon 11:39...I probably live as close to an actual Hermit lifestyle as possible in the city. I don't eat out, go to very many public places, or allow myself to be in a crowd (more than 3 people).
ReplyDeleteI avoid most people, except for family. The most contact I have with real folks is via my blog and the blogs that I read!
Soon I'll be leaving this cesspool of a city that I live in and going
back to the country. There I can live the real honest Hermit lifestyle with no neighbors. Hope that doesn't sound to anti-social, but there it is!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Momma,,,sounds like they are ready, and I know you are as well.The nephew has tomatoes on his plants and all the other goodies are coming along great!
I know it won't be long for you...and, who knows, maybe next season you'll have some new neighbors to visit!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hey Stephanie...we spend a lot of time planning and replanning, daydreaming if you will.
ReplyDeleteYou can count on us having a LOT of coffee on hand...
Thanks for coming by today!