A week or so ago I said I would not write about weather again for a while but I need to retract just a little. I forgot all about Feb. 2 being Groundhog Day. Evidently, according to the reports, Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring.
He did not see his shadow so I guess that means winter will soon be over. I certainly hope his prediction is on target.
In addition to Punxsutawney Phil, there are other groundhogs predicting but I think he is probably the most well-known. Punxsutawney Phil has been predicting the weather for 134 years and as every year, he has a 50/50 chance to get it right.
I don’t put a lot of stock in the groundhog’s weather predictions but animals do have a way with nature.
According to the history of Groundhog Phil’s predictions, he has predicted “more winter” over 100 times so that makes an early spring prediction much less.
The movie, Groundhog Day, was made in 1993. I have to admit I have never sat and watched the entire movie starring Bill Murray. I have seen bits and pieces of the movie.
I know he was a weatherman and for some reason he was living things over and over but I don’t remember what happened. I have never been a “sit down” and watch a movie type person. I will watch a little and then go to the kitchen to cook or to the laundry room.
According to what I have read, Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Penn., is quite a celebration and festivals are held. I really think a group of people decided a long time ago it would be a good way to create a party, draw a crowd and be good for tourism and evidently it worked. After all, it has lasted over a century.
I think if we are going to have a groundhog prediction to suit us we need to get a southern groundhog, one closer than Pennsylvania.
The weather there surely would not compare to northeast Arkansas. I would think the northern rodent prediction and our southern furry friend prediction might be quite different.
I do find it interesting to search out the history of these events such as Groundhog Day.
I read several facts about the beginning of Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania. The one I liked best claimed the first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on Feb. 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney. It was the brainchild of a local newspaper editor who sold a group of businessmen and groundhog hunters—known collectively as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club—on the idea.
Evidently there were a lot of Groundhog Day predictions in a lot of other countries before. One article I read said its origin was in a German legend that says if a furry rodent casts a shadow on Feb. 2, winter continues. If not, spring comes early.
Thousands gathered to hear Phil’s prediction on Sunday morning in spite of the snow. I am not sure if we can depend on an early spring call but if it happens I will be among the first to appreciate it.