Is everybody ready – Groundhog Day is just a few weeks away? Woo Hoo! Are you kidding me? Seriously, Groundhogs actually have their own holiday?? I found this hard to believe so I decided to do a little research and see what this is all about.
Turns out:
‘Groundhog Day, February 2nd, is a popular tradition in the United States. It is also a legend that goes back centuries, its origins clouded in the mists of time with ethnic cultures and animals awakening on specific dates. Myths such as this tie our present to the distant past when nature did, indeed, influence our lives. It is the day that the Groundhog comes out of his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow’.
Really – the first thing a groundhog looks for after sleeping for months is his shadow? Not food? Not Mrs. Punxsutawney Phil??!! Not who’s playing in upcoming Superbowl??!!
And if he sees his shadow:
He regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole.
If the day is cloudy and, hence, shadowless, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground.
I’m no expert and I clearly lack the ‘experience’ of a groundhog but it’s the beginning of February people, of course there’s going to be six more weeks of winter!! Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out! Well, actually it takes some kind of scientist or meteorologist or someone with some kind of a degree but we certainly should NOT be relying on the knowledge of a member of the rodent family.
From 1886 through 2009 Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow 98 times, saw no shadow 15 times and 10 of those years no information was recorded.
Any idea why no record was kept for 10 of those years?? I’m guessing it was because whoever was in charge that year recognized the ridiculousness of the whole thing and spared the rest of the country from having to participate in such a bizarre event. I’d thank them but it was back in the late 1800’s so I’m pretty sure they’re dead by now!
In 1995 Phil saw no Shadow and was a guest on the Oprah Winfrey TV Show.
Oprah? What Jerry Springer booked up? I guess Maury Povich wasn’t interested because Punxsutawney Phil wasn’t a potential ‘groundhog baby daddy’.
2011 Groundhog Day Event Calendar (yes there’s more to do than just stand there and wait for the Shadow/No Shadow ruling):
Get up close to your favorite groundhog at Breakfast with Phil:
This is the second year holding Breakfast with Phil. Last year visitors had a great time getting up close to Phil for pictures and even feeding him a nut here and there. We also have groundhog games and activities. Don’t miss your chance this year to become a good friend of Phil’s. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7.50 for kids under 12 and kids under 2 are free.
Groundhog games and activities??!! What in the world could they possibly be? I’m pretty sure fetching a ball or licking themselves will not be part of these festivities. Groundhog Day – what a joke! As a dog I am insulted that we haven’t even been considered for a holiday. I’m pretty sure I can jump out of a hole once a year and predict the obvious.
So this is the year I take a stand and refuse to take Groundhog Day serious until they come up with a holiday that recognizes dogs. They recognize everything else…there’s Arbor Day that recognizes TREES. That’s almost as ridiculous as Groundhog Day….Wait never mind, that’s one holiday I don’t have a problem celebrating…. As a dog I can appreciate a good tree!!
See You Next Time
Your Friend,
Jake