Re: By the way, Groundhog Day ...

Judy Showers wrote:
> 
> Paul Harrar wrote:
> >
> > My sources tell me that venerable groundhog Punxatawny Phil did NOT see
> > his shadow today, which means spring will arrive sooner, rather than
> > later.
> >
> > My sources add that P. Phil is seeking medical treatment for retina
> > damage caused by press camera flashbulbs.
> >
> > Paul Harrar
> > Nevada City, CA
> > Sunset Zone 7, 2,700 ft.
> >
> > P.S.: For our overseas friends, somebody might need to explain Groundhog
> > Day. I'm not sure I can....
> 
> Since I live in PA, and am completely familiar with Punxatawney Phil,
> Octorara Orphie, Poor Richard and Yes, there is even one in Canada, a
> white groundhog or "whistlepig" as we call them, I can try to tell you
> what it means.  The groundhog day tradition is rooted in a German
> superstition that if an animal casts a shadow on Feb 2-the Christian
> holiday of Candlemas-bad weather is coming, but in the 110 years since
> German farmers began the festival in Punxatawney, the morning of Feb 2
> has evolved into an elaborate show of hoodwinkery.  In the years past,
> members of the club (who dress up in white sheets & black top hats),
> voted the night before whether or not Phil would see his shadow, rain or
> shine.  Despite overcast skies last year, the club announced the shadow
> appeared,  They set off fireworks to simulate a sunrise.  This year,
> club members insisted, they did not decide what Phil's decision would be
> until they actually approached his burrow.  Rain on & off through the
> night let up shortly before dawn this morning, leaving the area around
> Phil's burrow shrouded in fog & mist.  The mood of the crowd of 15,000
> was far from gloomy, however.  Sure enough, bright lights surrounded the
> tree stump where Groundhog club members scheduled their early morning
> conference with Phil.  A sound system blasted out rock music & young &
> old groundhogwatchers danced.  It looked like a rock concert, not a
> time-honored folk tradition. A wild affair, another woodstock.  Well,
> anyway, that's how it started & Bill Murray had nothing whatsoever to do
> with it except show it on the movies.  Poor Richard is a stuffed
> groundhog & Phils is a live one.  The one from Canada, alas & alack,
> died last Sunday & I am told, that all groundhogs the world over, are
> wearing black armbands.  If you want to see the groundhog happenings all
> over the world, go to: http://www.groundhog.org  and you will see that
> everything I said (well, most of it, anyway) is true.  Hope you enjoyed
> the story.  It is just like the movie, except that time marches on &
> doesn't repeat itself.  P.S. Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter
> 100 times in 112 appearances (or at least, one of his children have) &
> his forecast has been correct about 4 times in 10.  The above
> information is taken from the Carlisle, Evening Sentinel, Carlisle,
> Pennsylvania.  Sincerely, Judy Showers
> http://www.epix.net/~jshowers
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