Happy Groundhogs Day

Sadly I have no pictures of a groundhog to share today. In the words of my friend Matt, “KT do better!” Anyways, news reports say that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow so we’re in for 6 more weeks of Winter. Yet, apparently even Groundhogs can’t escape celebrity drama – the Wall Street Journal is reporting that other states’ groundhogs are jealous that Phil gets all the attention. For instance, Wisconsin’s groundhog Jimmy didn’t see his shadow and predicts an early spring.

Wondering why we have a Groundhogs Day at all? Wikipedia to the rescue:

Groundhog Day is a federal holiday celebrated on February 2. It is held in the United States and Canada. According to folklore, if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day fails to see its shadow, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter will soon end. If on the other hand, the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks.[1] The holiday, which began as a Pennsylvania German custom in southeastern and central Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries, has its origins in ancient European weather lore, wherein a badger or sacred bear is the prognosticator as opposed to a groundhog.

Whether or not your groundhog of choice saw his shadow or not I think we all can agree on one thing. The greatness that is the movie Groundhog Day – which I will be watching at some point. Netflix has it as a play now feature, which is money.