Well, autumn is finally in full swing, which means ol’ man winter is about to begin stirring before waking up with an icy yawn. 
Vance Randolph, that noted Ozark folklorist I have written about and borrowed from before, passed along to us a number of ways to predict upcoming winter weather – superstitions he gathered in the first half of the 20th century from native Ozarkers.
I might interject that, according to Mr. Randolph, the term “Ozarker” was used before “Ozarkian”, the latter word seemingly preferred by later generations of those raised in these hills and hollows.
Were tree leaves exceptionally green and bright this past summer? If so, it means we’re in for a bad winter. Also, summers and winters are matched in severity. So the hotter the summer the colder the winter, according to the Ozark superstition. I think we pretty much had a mild summer, so it would be great if that one is true.
