So another groundhog day has come and gone. Predictions have been made and we had fun.
Growing up on the wild western prairie of Canada I had some problems getting my head around ground hog day. We don't have groundhogs. How could a groundhog in Philadelphia predict when spring would occur if he was that far away? Well, I put up with it and debated with my buddies about the predictions. As little fellows we had trouble remembering what was predicted by seeing the shadow or not seeing the shadow. Usually the temperature was far below 0 F at that time of year. Spring was the least thing on our minds. We had no idea how spring could arrive.
Well, since my childhood days, the groundhog day participants have increased. Ontario has Wireton Willy. They have real ground hogs there. It was found that groundhog day made a good attraction. Groundhog day was used to promote a town.
Hey, even Alberta has it's groundhog, Balzac Billy. Balzac Billy looks pretty lively for just coming out of hibernation. You will see what a meant about being fun.
I just read that since 1887 Punxsutawney Phil has been right 39% of the time. Ah well...
ReplyDeleteI know Chicago winters were always long and we weren't taking a chance of planting anything until the end of April.
It's all fun stuff. However, when I was a little kid I thought of his as reality.
DeleteI suppose its a fun thing to elevate the long dull days of winter, we don't have them here in UK
ReplyDeleteLots of publicity mileage is made from the groundhog.
DeleteThe human race is strange. It seems to have a need for superstitions.
ReplyDeleteAnd now those superstitions are conspiracies.
DeleteWe keep on having groundhog day, over and over again. 🙂
ReplyDeleteHey, you could have your ground hogs predict summer fall and winter and have lots of fun.
DeleteWell, I would bet we will have six more weeks of winter, in any event. Cute little mascots.
ReplyDeleteYou know how to make a safe bet.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if I believe a groundhog can predict the weather for the next 6 weeks. But, he said it will be an early spring. I am all for an early spring. Have a great weekend.
With the winter we've had it's hard to say what spring will be like. One thing we know for sure is that it will be dry.
DeleteI could never understand it. Even if he saw his shadow that meant 6 more weeks of winter but that would mean the middle of March and that seemed like early Spring anyway here in Illinois!
ReplyDeleteAnd much earlier here on the Canadian prairies.
DeleteI'm hoping your Canadian groundhogs are more accurate. The American version is only right 30% of the time so odd are that we still have a fair amount of winter left to suffer through.
ReplyDeleteI think most ground hogs are about as accurate as yours so flipping a coin would be better.
DeleteIt really is silly!
ReplyDeleteHey get in on the fun! This was always a good one for school kids. It made for a good debate.
DeleteIt's a very weird phenomena. I think the popularity of it spreading may be due to Bill Murray's movie.
ReplyDeleteThe popularity is growing. It's a money maker.
DeleteIt's a good way to have fun during winter.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun and some people can really get twisted around. You must have had lots of fun with your gr one kids.
DeleteGround Hog Day is just a way for us to get our heads out of the cabin for awhile and look around. Similar to an adult Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus. Better than whacking at politicians in some states. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteIt can be a lot of fun.
DeleteWe didn't have groundhogs in Florida either, and the whole thing made no sense to me. But you're right about one thing -- it's a great promotion for a community. I bet no one would know Punxsutawney if it weren't for Phil!
ReplyDeletePhil's been around for a long time.
DeleteI saw the funniest post: Someone suggested that there should be a much hyped sequel to "Ground Hog Day'. After weeks of hype, they should release the first movie again.
ReplyDeleteFor eastern Canada, winter is a safe bet for the next six weeks regardless.
ReplyDeleteYou know how to make safe bets.
ReplyDeleteIt is fun! -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteinteresting sharing dear Red!
ReplyDeletei just checked about groundhog day and it tells how a cute looking rodent comes out of hole and confirms that spring is around .
can't remember exactly but i am sure grandma and mom used to tell something similar as spring prediction
Winters are supposed to be long.
ReplyDelete