Happy Groundhog Day!

Today is Groundhog Day. As I kid, I remember thinking that a neat little holiday - watching big rodents jump out of their holes to see their shadows. Of course, I always imagined them more cartoon like - Disneyish - with clothes and a cute straw hat.

We all know the routine, although I tend to forget from year to year which way it goes. If he sees his shadow does that mean spring is on its way or there are six more weeks of winter? It's the latter. Although, if you want to know the truth there is always six more weeks of winter from February 2. How is that? Well, the spring equinox is exactly six week from February 2.

So, how did Groundhog Day come about? Well, it has its roots in the old holiday known as Candlemas. On this day in nations like England and Scotland, people would go out and see if the sun was shining or not. If it was, there were six more weeks of winter coming. If not, spring was on its way. The Germans (who apparently can't see the sky through the trees - and, yes, I am part German) would watch their hedgehogs come out from their dens. If the hedgehogs saw their shadows, they darted back into their holes and six more weeks of winter could be expected. If not, spring would soon come. Upon moving to Pennsylvania, the Germans had to make do with what animals the New World provided. Hence, the change to the groundhog (or woodchuck).

Today, the Germans still celebrate this grand holiday all over Pennsylvania and other locations throughout America and Canada. There are Groundhog Lodges that throw big parties (and I mean BIG - think thousands of guests). Some even go so far as to speaking German only. If you speak English, you have to pay a penalty.

None of the celebrations are so famous as Punxsutawny, PA where the celebrated Punxsutawny Phil lives. This ancient groundhog is cared for by the "Inner Circle" who can be spotted in a crowd by their tuxedos and top hats. Every February, they take Phil from his home at the Punxsutawny library (where he lives with his "wife" Phyllis) to his burrow Gobbler's Knob. At sunrise he makes his grand entrance, looks for his shadow, is probably scared by the crowd of tuxes and top hats, and darts back into his hole. The tuxes and top hats then start speaking "Groundhogese" to one another (and I am NOT making this up - google it or check out www.groundhog.org). Thankfully, they interpret their findings in English to the world. Newspapers, the internet and, as of this year, even a text is sent to the world at large whether we have winter for six more weeks or not. Phil is returned safely to his wife and more-or-less undisturbed for another year. The only exception is during the summer when he is fed "Groundhog Punch". This is what has enabled him to live for 120 years, whereas common groundhogs live only for 6 to 10.

So, how accurate is the reading of Phil? Well, the "Inner Circle" claims 100%. The weather bureau claims about 39%. As for the other famous groundhogs that are watched around the nation, it differs. Today, 9 out of 14 say we will have an early spring. The other 5 - including Phil - say to expect six more weeks of winter.

Of course, if you're in Texas with me winter never even started...