20 signs of a hard winter

here are the farmers almanacs 20 signs of a hard winter ---

• Thicker than normal corn husks

• Woodpeckers sharing a tree

• Early arrival of the Snowy owl

• Early departure of geese and ducks

• Early migration of the Monarch butterfly

• Thick hair on the nape (back) of the cow’s neck

• Heavy and numerous fogs during August

• Raccoons with thick tails and bright bands

• Mice eating ravenously into the home

• Early arrival of crickets on the hearth

• Spiders spinning larger than usual webs and entering the house in great numbers

• Pigs gathering sticks

• Insects marching a bee line rather than meandering

• Early seclusion of bees within the hive

• Unusual abundance of acorns

• Muskrats burrowing holes high on the river bank

• “See how high the hornet’s nest, ‘twill tell how high the snow will rest”

• Narrow orange band in the middle of the Woollybear caterpillar warns of heavy snow; fat and fuzzy caterpillars presage bitter cold

• The squirrel gathers nuts early to fortify against a hard winter

• Frequent halos or rings around sun or moon forecast numerous snow falls.