Saturday, June 21, 2008
You know you're exiting the fast lane when a little item like the Maine Weather Stick provides you with endless amusement. This is my stick. It's mounted next to our front door so visitors can see, immediately, our interest in meteorology... or silly, slightly suggestive sight gags. It's a great conversation starter, if people have the nerve to ask, "Um, what's that?"
According to Wikipedia: "The Maine weather is a balsam fir rod, generally about 40cm (16") long which when mounted outside twists upward with the onset of good weather and downward as inclement weather approaches. These sticks were first used by the aboriginals of the American northeast and the Canadian east and southeast, who noted the behavior of dry branches prior to the arrival of weather changes. The weather stick is a rare example of a weather prediction tool which predates the mercury barometer."
Left: dry air, Center: increasing humidity, Right: very humid
Now, my stick isn't as, er, reactive as the stick pictured on the left (click photo to enlarge), but I've found its ability to predict humidity, the arch-enemy of 50-something women everywhere, to be reliable. It will never replace Doppler radar, of course, but I have to admit, it's fun to say, "The stick is happy; 'gonna be a good hair day!"
My stick in "happy" mode (below):
Buy your very own Maine Weather stick here. They're only $6.95.
Comments
golfergirl (anonymous) says...
Saw one of these at a friend's home at the lake and never knew where to buy one. Grandkids love them, and they're too young to get the "joke."
June 21, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cathy (cathy) says...
They make great gifts, too. I'm thinking about ordering a bunch and taking sticks as hostess gifts instead of bottles of wine.
June 21, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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