Groundhog Day

The groundhog has spoken. Yesterday, that little devil did not see his shadow, and thus the prediction is that it will be an "early spring." Since 1887, the groundhog, "Punxsutawney Phil" has seen his shadow in all but 14 years, predicting a "late spring." Is it true? Who knows? Is global warming true? Who knows? What is true is that the Punxsutawney folks (probably fueled by their increased noteriety since the 1993 release of the movie Groundhog Day) now have gotten serious about their endeavor and have even added a poem to their prediction.

Phil Says Spring is Right Around the Corner!

Phil's official forecast as read 2/2/07 at 7:28 a.m. at Gobbler's Knob:

El Nino has caused high winds, heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures in the west.
Here in the East with much mild winter weather we have been blessed.

Global warming has caused a great debate.
This mild winter makes it seem just great.

On this Groundhog Day we think of one thing.
Will we have winter or will we have spring?

On Gobbler's Knob I see no shadow today.
I predict that early spring is on the way.

Which just goes to prove how much poetry is a part of everyday life, even here in America. Interestingly enough, the groundhog day habit stems from European tradition of Candlemas Day, and the grounhog was chosen by Pennsylvania's early German settlers because it resembed the European hedgehog. For more fascinating facts on this fabulous day, click here. And just remember, it could be worse.