Predicting Winter Weather With 100% Accuracy

 Here in the states, we have a silly tradition of having a ground hog come out early in the year to look for its shadow. If he sees it, so goes the tale, we will have 6 more weeks of winter. Turns out, there are better, more scientific ways to handle this. The bench test, for one, is far more accurate.

This scientifically designed bench just happens to sit in my back yard where, as it turns out, is the only important place to consider when it comes to weather. If the bench is covered with snow (as it is in the picture taken this week) we know that there will not only be lots more winter but that the temperature is currently below freezing. This simple, yet elegant, observation can be made through the window without having to exposing one's self  to the miserable elements.

Although reliable and 89.77% accurate, when it comes to life and death decisions, we turn to The Oracle Of The Tree for uncannily accurate information. This old wood sprite has been with us for several years now, and he has never failed us. We believe that his wisdom continues to grow as evidenced by the fact that his eyes are farther apart than when we discovered him over a decade ago. But I digress. 

Rooted deeply in mythology, he sees all and almost never blinks. His gaze is fixed on the north west, from where our weather emanates and, it is said, he can see over the horizon to the other side of the world. It is told that he blinks when the end of winter is 24 hours away. Since this usually occurs in the wee early hours of the morning, no one has actually seen or been able to photograph this sacred happening. Rest assured, however, that is eyes remain wide open as I type this and that winter surely will not end in the next few days. Is that a snow blower I hear?

Paddle safe...
DS