Groundhog Day
Wiarton Willie
Good news! the groundhogs did not see their shadows so we will have an early Spring. For many, Spring cannot come soon enough as it has been a very difficult winter (except where I live for reasons I do not understand.) It is a little disappointing to miss out on the dramatic Winter weather that has been so troublesome for so many.
No wonder the groundhogs (Punxsutawny Phil, Balzac Billy, Gary the Groundhog, Brandon Bob, Shubenacadie Sam, Wiarton Willie) did not see their shadows. Most of them are in the midst of a winter snow storm which might offer a scientific explantion of the "wisdom" of these rodent sages, as cloudy skies made shodow viewing difficult.
The authoritative groundhog in these parts is Wiarton Willie the adorable albino groundhog that has made Wiarton, Ontario famous. (Makes me wish we had a River Valley Rodent) He began as a ruse fifty-five years ago as a woman's white hat in the snow to become an annual local
Winter Festival. I shall always remember in 1999, when unknown to the public Wiarton Willy died two days before Groundhog Day. As was the early tradition a faux stuffed groundhog was passed off on the public as Willy. It seem what began as a ruse continues to be a ruse when necessary for the town fathers who sponsor the Winter Festival.
For all those tired of the stuggles of winter weather, I trust the remarkable rodents are correct.
6 Comments:
It's somewhat ironic that WW is predicting an early spring on such a wintry day.
We have missed most of the major storms this year. All really. Even this one will not hit as hard here as TO or points west.
Oh, you missed one from around these parts--Octarora Orky. I am not kidding.
Honestly.
Anyway, I like the take of the movie "Groundhog Day" to this movie. The idea that people are condemned to keep living this day over and over again has a ring of reality. The local news seems to cover nothing but Groundhog Day, on Groundhog day. You know--local color.
I suspect you missed out on the bad winter that folks further south have had because it appears to have been caused by increased warmth in the Arctic region, which pushed cold weather far south. So, you live too far north to have had as bad a winter as people further south have had.
And there are folks who keep saying--what global warming. I want to shout at them--it's global CLIMATE CHANGE. Which I think there is a fair bit of evidence for!
I think it's easier to deal with here that in the cities. If we get a foot of snow there are a lot of places to put it but if they have it in the towns there's nowhere for it to go.
It's definitely been colder here than last winter too. I hope you're keeping warm. We have had a hard time getting warm some days.
Let's hope the groundhogs are correct! Your wood will keep for next year won't it? I know I'll be happy to put my roof rake away!
That's so funny about the sad demise of Willie and the stuffed copy ! We believe what we want to apparently ... but, what the heck, if it makes us happier during the weary winter months.
That's so funny about the sad demise of Willie and the stuffed copy ! We believe what we want to apparently ... but, what the heck, if it makes us happier during the weary winter months.
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