Aug. 6, Monday — Transfiguration. Colorado Day. First Shakers arrived in New York, 1744.
Aug. 7, Tuesday — George Washington created the Order of the Purple Heart, 1782.
Aug. 8, Wednesday — Thieves took 2.6 million pounds in bank notes in Britain's "Great Train Robbery," 1963.
Aug. 9, Thursday — Moon on the equator. Escalator patented, 1859. Nagasaki bombed, 1945.
Aug. 10, Friday — St. Laurence. Prune plants to discourage growth. Smithsonian Institution established, 1846.
Aug. 11, Saturday — St. Clare. Dog days come to an end. Watch for Perseids meteor showers before dawn, August 11-13.
Aug. 12, Sunday — Cut hair to discourage growth. First issue of Sports Illustrated, 1954.
Ask The Old Farmer's Almanac: How can I keep my garden hose from getting kinks and twists that stop the flow of water? — G.K., Oaklyn, N.J.
Answer: If you're in the market for a new hose, look for one made of quality materials. There are certain hoses that hold their cylindrical shape better than others. In general, the heavier the rubber, the less apt it is to kink. If you wish to continue with your old hose, however, we suggest a few tricks to try. First, keep your hose coiled when not in use, so that it doesn't sit in a twisted heap. The rolling, barrel-type hose storage units work well, but any neat coil will do.
Second, when you're ready to use the hose, turn on the water and let it fill the hose before you uncoil it. The pressure of the water helps the hose hold its shape against kinks. Next, uncoil it gradually and avoid sharp turns as you drag it. If you must round a hard corner, use a croquet wicket or a large, rounded rock to ease the hose in a graceful arc around the obstacle. Wickets, rocks or bits of fencing also keep the hose from dragging through garden areas.
Finally, when you're done, keep the water turned on and the hose filled until after you've finished coiling the hose. An empty hose tends to twist and kink while being coiled, and the garden hose holds the "memory" of those kinks. If this is what you've got to start with, soak the hose in a bucket of hot water to help release the kinks, then use the tips above to keep them from returning. Happy sprinkling.
Ask The Old Farmer's Almanac: When food recipes call for dried lavender, should you use the leaves or the flowers? And will any lavender do? — M.J.L., Manchester, N.H.
Answer: Lavendula officinalis is the common form of this fragrant plant and should be used for either culinary or medicinal purposes. Other ornamental versions of lavender may be attractive in your garden, but they're not generally meant for your plate. The flowers are generally used for culinary purposes, rather than the leaves, simply because they are less overpowering to the taste buds, but both parts of the plant are edible. Pick the flowers just as they are blooming, strip them from the stems, and add them to your favorite dishes for color and unusual flavor.
The Romans used lavender to scent bath water or for washing linens, and it takes its name from the Latin "lavare," meaning "to wash." If you harvest whole sprigs of the plant, use the flowers in the kitchen and the stems and leaves in your bath. Lavender essential oils are healing for sunburn, too. Keep in mind that, as an internal remedy, lavender is used as a relaxant, decongestant, antiseptic and nerve tonic, so avoid stirring great quantities into your chicken stew.
For culinary uses, then, use lavender sparingly — by the teaspoonful, not the cupful. Too much may give a soapy flavor to mild dishes (puddings or ice creams, for example), but a small addition of the flowers adds a sweet flavor and fragrance. The flowers carry most of the volatile compounds that contribute the fragrance, and these compounds are more easily released when the lavender is exposed to heat. Even in a cold preparation, however, lavender flowers make a sweet and aromatic garnish.
Ask The Old Farmer's Almanac: Our cat is about to have kittens and I'm concerned about how to make the house safe for them. — T.F., Boise, Idaho
Answer: Since you have a cat, you've probably created a cat-friendly environment already, but there are additional considerations you might want to make for the wee arrivals. Kittens are more vulnerable to drowning than adult cats, so be sure that any areas of open water — mop buckets, watering cans, toilets and bathtubs — are kept sealed off from access. Likewise, kittens may be more prone to eating small objects such as coins, rubber bands, paper clips, screws, yarn, string, earrings or sewing implements. You'd be amazed at some of the X-rays from veterinarians.
Kittens love to find small, cozy nests for their frequent naps. It's not uncommon to discover them in a warm dryer or a dark interior corner of the reclining chair. Keep the dryer closed and the recliner in its upright position, or expect to count noses before you use either.
A final caution is against poisonous materials, from anti-freeze spills (attractive to animals and very toxic) to certain plants (hydrangea, rhododendron and others). Household cleaners can also pose a hazard, either if left accessible, or if kittens roll on or walk in their residues. Medicines, too, should be kept safely stored away.
Send your questions to: Ask the Almanac, The Old Farmer's Almanac, Main St., Dublin, NH 03444 © Yankee Publishing Inc.