The Campfire Trail: October 11 - DIY Homestead

October 11, 2022

Day 376 of the Adventure

It's that time of the year when the Persimmon Seed predictions are making their rounds. Persimmon Seed lore is something I've known about for a while now. I'm sure it's not unique to the Ozarks, but since they really don't grow in Iowa where I was born, it's something that was new to me upon our move to Missouri about 30 years ago. Even though people stand by the accuracy and validity of the seed predictions, I'm not completely convinced of it myself.

So, what is the legend of the persimmon seed you may ask? Folklore says when cracking open a persimmon seed from a ripe fruit, the shape inside will either resemble a fork, spoon or knife. If the inside of the seed looks like a fork, the area can expect a mild winter; a spoon, a lot of snow; and a knife, bitter cold “cut like a knife” winter.

Here in SW Missouri, we seldom get a lot of snow. Usually only two or three that are very significant each year. By significant, I'm talking more than two inches. Sometimes we get none at all. Also, we seldom get the "cutting like a knife" cold. Although, back in 2020, we did get some of that in February where the temps hit minus ten. My Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota friends respond with statements such as "Rookies" and "Lightweights" to our complaints about it. More often than not, we experience mild winters, by my definition anyway. With that observation noted, I still see the "Spoon" prediction being made year after year. Thus, the reason for my skepticism. So once again the persimmon is predicting a snowy Winter. Maybe, maybe not, but in either case.........

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." ― Edith Sitwell

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost in the Fog (Guatemala Decaf)

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