Round as a ball; sharp as an awl;
Lives in the summer; dies in the fall.

(source unknown, but known for years; reportedly long known in the Blue Ridge Mountains around Tryon, North Carolina; do not click on the link until you're ready for the answer http://www.tryondailybulletin.com/2011/03/09/round-as-a-ball-sharp-as-an-awl/ )


Answer to "With an awful racket", the first riddle in the thread:

popcorn

Answer to "Round as a biscuit", the second riddle: pocketwatch

Kent