You don't need to live in the sticks to benefit from a farmers almanac. After all, everybody's interested in the weather, since sooner or later most of us will need to deal with it one way or another. We reviewed three widely available almanacs, all of which provide ample meteorological predictions, planting guides, tide tables and astronomical data.

But wait, there's more! Articles will enlighten you on the history of popcorn, how to wash your hands, ghost pets, famous blunders, strange weather in years ending in the number 8, all about bananas, wedding weather woes, how weather affects fall foliage, why butter is better than margarine, flowers that stink, and recipes, recipes and more recipes.

It's the advertising, however, that provides most of the entertainment in these publications. In addition to the standard farm and garden stuff like tillers, mulchers and the like, there are ads for incinerating toilets, sex pheromones, erectile-dysfunction cures, miracles uses for vinegar, and "Foods That EXPLODE in Your Bowel!"

If nothing else, these time-honored guides offer great reading in any room of the house -- or in the outhouse, for that matter. They also make great companions for the Burpee catalog.

ONLINE ALMANAC LINKS
The Old Farmer's Almanac
Farmers' Almanac

ChicagoScope feedback line: 312-683-5272. Send e-mail to ChicagoScope@gmail.com.