Happy Groundhogs Day

Merika · 02-02-2006, 05:40 PM

Phil Says Six More Weeks of Winter!
Phil's official forecast as read 2/2/06 at sunrise at Gobbler's Knob:

It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Around the country there are many imitators of me.

In Harrisburg there is Gus who appears on TV
working for the lottery.

Then all around town,
Cute groundhog statues abound.
They all look like me, I found.

Today on the Knob as I'm doing my job,
I don't like this likeness of me.

It's my shadow I see. Six more weeks of mild winter there will be.

Link: http://www.groundhog.org/

Meanon · 02-02-2006, 06:01 PM

What is a groundhog?

Merika · 02-02-2006, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meanon

What is a groundhog?

Oh Meanon...you don't have Groundhog Day in the UK????

Here is a short history I an pasting in:

Groundhog Day
February 2 is Groundhog Day. If the groundhog comes out of its hole and sees it's shadow we are in store for 40 more days of winter. Which this year is a lot! To see a shadow the sun must be shinning and the groundhog has to look in the correct direction. Groundhog Day is an example of predicting the weather based on folklore. Where did this weather folklore originate? In Punxsutawney Pennsylvania. The official groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil, though the tradition as spread to other communities (for example, Sun Prairie WI).

The roots of Groundhog Day go back to the 6th century. February 2 is 40 days after Christmas and is Candlemas Day in the Christianity. On this day candles that are used for the rest of the year were bless. This is also about the mid-point in winter, in weather not astronomical terms. Germans began trying to predict how long winter would continue based on the hibernation patterns of bears in this later part of winter. When some Germans settled in Pennsylvania they switched from bears to groundhogs -- which also hibernate. Why the switch I don't know.

Star · 02-02-2006, 08:57 PM

well aparently here in canada, we're getting an early spring. Hubby just told me. he was the one watching it today on the news.

Merika · 02-02-2006, 09:02 PM

Well...6 more weeks of mild winter is great. We didn't have much of a winter this year. As a matter of fact, I had the AC on most of the day. We didn't even wear coats this year.

Duke · 02-03-2006, 12:30 AM

I shot the little bastard and I'm turning him into a comfy pair of slippers.

Weiser · 02-03-2006, 02:27 AM

early spring? hell we haven't even had a winter...we've had snow for like what, 3 weeks combined TOPS?

Star · 02-03-2006, 06:59 AM

i know, isn't this just the best winter ever? it's raining today.

Merika · 02-03-2006, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Star

i know, isn't this just the best winter ever? it's raining today.

It's raining here too....and it's hot! We are supposed to get some cooler weather over the weekend....then our winter is basically over.

Meanon · 02-03-2006, 02:43 PM

I've never heard of them here. Is it a type of pig?

It's freezing here. I thik it may snow again soon.

Merika · 02-03-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meanon

I've never heard of them here. Is it a type of pig?

It's freezing here. I thik it may snow again soon.

Click the link: Link: http://www.groundhog.org/ NOT a pig...more like a really fat squirrel or maybe a raccoon looking thing.

Sorry you are cold in the UK...guess it didn't work for your side of the pond.

Meanon · 02-03-2006, 07:41 PM

Aha! Got it. What a weird looking animal, like a giant hampster. i thought they were much bigger, with a snout. I wonder why we don't have them here? Maybe it's because they would FREEZE TO DEATH. It was -4C this week. As always when it's arctic, my tyre went flat. Every year it's the same :evil:

Weiser · 02-04-2006, 03:58 AM

-4? tahs thirt weather....

Duke · 02-04-2006, 04:58 AM

Especially if its not raining which it can still do in Vancouver even at - temperatures :?