Crafts and Such

July 9,1990 (1)

Margaret -

Here is what Mama and Papa always  told me. I’ll write them down as they come to me.

Dog days come in on July 3rd and goes out August 11th. If it comes in dry it will be dry most of the time. If it comes in wet, we will have more rain than usual. We will have rains when it comes in dry, but the storms seem so bad, they always said it was worse during dog days. Beware of lightening don’t stand close to windows or door or be out in it if at all possible not to be. Don’t stand close to range.

(pg 2)For the hair, Mama said to make your hair thicker is always get it cut in light moon. Full moon will probably be best. To have plenty of of leaf lettuce when you sow over it a few days before full moon.*

If there is a freeze in full moon it won’t hurt the crops and trees as much as it does in dark moon. 

When you want to sow grass seed, sow it in dark moon. Papa said that gave it more roots.

Don’t ever have any teeth pulled or worked on when the (pg3)sign is in the head. Ram is the head.

Don’t trim trees when the sign is in the heart. They say it will kill them. Lion is the heart. Always get you an almanac or calender that will show you the signs and learn them.

Your flowers does better if they are transplanted when the sign is in the flower  - Pisces.

Papa said also if you heard a tree fall in the woods that is a sure sign of a death. It doesn’t always have to be in the family circle. Also if a picture falls that’s a sign of a death. Mostly in the family. 

Getting back to lightening, there’s heat lightening but no rain. It’s still dangerous.

(Translation since this last bit is a bit confusing; my family at one point farmed. When you sow lettuce, eat a bunch of it a few days before full moon and before getting it cut for thick hair.)

Even though this letter isn’t signed, I believe it was written by my great-grandmother. She passed away in 1992, but was in and out of sorts for years, if I remember correctly.