Origins of Halloween traditions, ravens and bats, ghost story

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View in Browser | Almanac.com | Get a Copy Sunday, October 31, 2021 Who was born on this day? What happened today in history? Click to find out. Winter begins in 51 days Question of the Day I have noticed numerous times that fuse boxes and electrical extension cords with bad insulation seem to attract ants. Are ants really attracted to electricity, and if so, why? – Answer Puzzle of the Day What is that which when thrown out, you may always catch without hands? – Answer Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite All are on their rounds to-night,— In the wan moon’s silver ray Thrives their helter-skelter play. –Joel Benton (1832–1911) ADVERTISEMENT Origins of Halloween Traditions Why does Halloween make us think of trick-or-treating, witches on broomsticks, bobbing for apples, and carved pumpkins? Why are carved pumpkins called jack-o’-lanterns? Here’s a look back at the origins of Halloween traditions and why we celebrate Halloween the way we do today.   READ MORE   ADVERTISEMENT Features wide open spaces and comforting places! Often the most beautiful parts of life are also the simplest, and the 2022 Country Calendar proves that point. Enjoy simple country living with the gorgeous photographs in the Country Calendar, shipping now!   LEARN MORE   Welcome the Least-Loved Critters Bats, spiders, and toads, oh, my! It turns out that there are some garden “pests” that you should actually welcome with open arms. Some creepy creatures can be great garden helpers. So, you may want to think again before sending ill will towards them!   READ MORE   ADVERTISEMENT Where can I get gardening wit and wisdom all year long? The 2022 Gardening Calendar offers friendly reminders on when to start perusing seed catalogs or planting summer-flowering bulbs, inspiring quotations from poets and public figures, growing advice on favorite plants like forsythia and rhubarb, tips on getting rid of pests, and folklore for predicting how the weather will affect your garden.    LEARN MORE   The Man Who Cried for Everyone It’s that time again. Ready for our annual ghost story? This is the true account of a strange occurrence at Peoria State Hospital in Bartonville, Illinois, by the late George Zeller, superintendent of the asylum at the time (1910). It’s creepy but also surprisingly touching.    READ MORE   ADVERTISEMENT What's the perfect gift for gardeners? Now in its third printing, the Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook is the perfect companion for every vegetable gardener—even those who have never touched a trowel and wouldn’t know mulch from mud!      LEARN MORE   MORE Ways to Use Fall Leaves in the Garden Raking leaves this weekend? Look at every leaf as gardener’s gold! Here are awesome ways to make the most of this abundant annual windfall—from protecting plants to making leaf mold and mulching. Nature builds soil this way—and so should you!    READ MORE   ADVERTISEMENT Kids love it! Adults can’t put it down! All of the activities and topics in this award-winning series are specially selected and developed for kids—and people who are kids at heart!   LEARN MORE   Redeeming the Raven, Evermore The raven has been described as a “grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore” (to quote Edgar Allan Poe). The bird’s bad reputation—as a bringer of death and dark omens—couldn’t be more wrong. Enjoy these surprising facts about ravens from naturalist Henry Walters—...   READ MORE   ADVERTISEMENT Where can I keep track of plans for 2022? The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s popular 2022 Planner provides plenty of space to jot down appointments, events, reminders, observations, and inspirations for the coming year. Plus, enjoy wit, wisdom, a quote, a proverb, or a bit of folklore every day!   LEARN MORE   If you enjoy the Almanac Companion... Share with a Friend THE OLD FARMER SELECTED THESE PRODUCTS FOR YOU View More Product from The Old Farmer's Store Did a friend forward you this briefing? You can sign up here. If you enjoy this newsletter, consider picking up a copy of The Old Farmer's Almanac. Your support makes this all possible! Are you on social? Enjoy more Almanac wit & wisdom!  Visit Almanac.com Shop Our Store You received this email because you signed for updates from The Old Farmer's Almanac. If you do not wish to receive our regular e-mail newsletter in the future, please click here to manage preferences. *Please do not reply to this e-mail* © Yankee Publishing Inc. An Employee-Owned Company 1121 Main Street | P.O. Box 520 | Dublin, NH 03444 Contact Us View web version