The Newest Weather Vane

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

     "A weather vane is an instrument for showing the direction of the wind. They are typically used as an architectural ornament to the highest point of a building. Although partly functional, weather vanes are generally decorative, often featuring the traditional cockerel design with letters indicating the points of the compass. Other common motifs include ships, arrows and horses. Not all weather vanes have pointers.

  

  


      The word 'vane' comes from the Anglo-Saxon word 'fane' meaning 'flag'.  The design of a wind vane is such that the weight is evenly distributed each side of the surface, but the surface area is unequally divided, so that the pointer can move freely on its axis. The side with the larger surface area is blown away from the wind direction, so that the smaller side, with the pointer, is pivoted to face the wind direction. Most wind vanes have directional markers beneath the arrow, aligned with the geographic directions.
    

Wind vanes, especially those with fanciful shapes, do not always show the real direction of a very gentle wind. This is because the figures do not achieve the necessary design balance: an unequal surface area but balanced in weight. To obtain an accurate reading, the wind vane must be located well above the ground and away from buildings, trees, and other objects which interfere with the true wind direction. Changing wind direction can be meaningful when coordinated with other apparent sky conditions, enabling the user to make simple short range forecasts. From the street level the size of many weathercocks is deceptive."

  

       So, there you have it... most people who have weather vanes have them as weather vains... get it?  A vanity item to decorate one's home or barn or chicken coop...
     There was a time when I was a big-time collector of many things... angels, teacups and saucers, cat figurines, fancy bells, fancy plates, Depression glass, baskets, dolls... to name only a few.  I lived in a big old house which lent itself to my collections.  Every room had a collection or two (or three, or four, or more...)  It was a fun hobby, decorating that old house, using the collections, yet making it cozy and inviting, not museum-like.

  

       But, one thing I've never owned even one of is a weather vane!  I can remember thinking it would be interesting to have one in the kitchen.  Or outside.  But, I never did it.  So, imagine my utmost surprise and pleasure when God gave me my very own weather vane yesterday afternoon.  I have an old doll house that sits on the back porch.  It originally was used for the cats to sleep in for protection from the weather, but CassPurr hasn't  taken to that idea, so we filled it with spare fire wood - easily in reach in case of ice or snow.  Yesterday, when I came back from grocery shopping, Cogburn  jumped up on top of the doll house and posed.  I was able to get several shots before more of the chickens decided to join him.
     Cool, huh?

Shalom Y'all - Twyla