Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Frankin Days, or the Reason Not to Kill the Messenger


It seems that my life is in jeopardy since I quoted an old bit of Devonshire weather folklore.

Thunder in May
Frightens the Summer away.
In my own defense, I would like to state that it is not my fault it is snowing in Park City, Utah. It is, however, the fault of a Devonshire man named Frankin, because apparently, New England Puritans weren't the only people who frequently sold their souls to the Devil. According to The Perpetual Almanack of Folklore:
"Sharp frosts which sometimes occur about this time are the revenge of one Frankin, a beer-brewer put out of business by competition from cider. He therefore vowed his soul to the Devil in return for frost on each of the three 'Frankin's Days' around May the twenty-first, hoping that these would kill the apple-blossom and ruin the cider crop (Kightly 82).
So, Edgy, the reason why it snowed today? Because hops bloom in August.

3 comments:

Christian said...

I always find it interesting when one scapegoat scapes another goat. ;)

Soccer Dad said...

Sharp frosts which sometimes occur about this time are the revenge of one Frankin, a beer-brewer put out of business by competition from cider.

And I thought it was due to Dementors.

Erin aka- absent-minded secretary said...

Soccer Dad: It just might be Dementors. Woo Hoo! Only 56 days until the new book!

Edgy: :P