Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day has interested me for many years. My father entered the world on this unique holiday. He filled us children in on this fact when we were quite young. Thus was born the intrigue.

                                 

What is this day all about? Folklore has it that if a groundhog emerges from his burrow, following his long winter sleep, on this particular day and sees his shadow he will make a hasty retreat back into his den. Consequently we know there will be six more weeks of winter.

                        

If his appearance brings no frightening shadow, he is happy to stay out of his abode and we are certain spring is just around the corner.

                         

On this day last week we had a sunny morning and a cloudy afternoon. So when did Mr Groundhog come out to see what the day was like?

                            

Really, I don't put any stock whatsoever in these signs. But maybe you do. Starting from Feb 2 you could count the weeks until spring and then you'll know how long it really is. Mr Groundhog has less than 40% accuracy anyway. Although Groundhog Day organizers will tell you the rodent is correct 75 - 90% of the time.

                                 

We humans like to know what's going to happen. We want to be in control. So we come up with ways to try to accomplish that. It can be quite hilarious at times what stock we put in the hearsay around us. Or the Almanac.

“It's going to be one heck of a winter!” we hear. So we prepare for it. Or, “The acorns aren't very thick this year. It will be a mild winter”. So we prepare for that.

I think God likes to “knock our socks off”. Give us stuff we never dreamed of. Never planned for. Maybe a bit difficult in this day and age when forecasters have gotten so good with weather predictions. But it does still happen!

When winter storm Jonas came they said we'd get 12-24 inches of snow. Of course, they really don't know what will happen! We were blessed with 30 inches. And no wind. They said there would be blizzard winds. It was both a good and bad thing to be minus the wind. Good because our dwellings stayed warmer. Good because drifts can be a problem. Bad because some roofs went down.

I like to take life as it comes and enjoy the moment.

Beauty this morning

How about you?

Javita coffee can help you enjoy the moment!

But don't stress if you don't have it. You can relax once you get some.

Click here to read more about Groundhog Day and the unique ways it is celebrated.