posted February 02, 2015 12:24 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by GypseeWind:
The History of Groundhog's Day
Wednesday, 02 Feb 2011 09:49 AM Article Font Size

One of the truly American holidays, if it can be called that, is Groundhog's Day. The history behind Groundhog's day stretches back to the 1700's in Pennsylvania when the Pennsylvannia Dutch settlers used a badger as a weather predictor instead of the groundhog.

Ancient times stated that a hibernating animal could predict the coming weather by its emergence from its hole or cave. The tradition was brought over from Europe and bears a resemblance to Candlemas, a Catholic holiday from Medieval times.

Another holiday that Groundhog's day resembles is known as Iombolc, a Pagan holiday and celebration that celebrated the turning of the Celtic calendar. It was celebrated on February 1st and involved weather forecasting too. In England, it is always noted if rain falls on July 15th or St. Swithun's Day. A day similar to Groundhog's day, this day says that if it's raining that day, it will rain again for the next 40 days and 40 nights.

The legend states that if the groundhog comes out of his hole and sees his shadow on Groundhog's day, he will run back in and there will be six more weeks of winter. However, if he doesn't see his shadow, he will stay out and there will be an early Spring.

Any way you look at it, there is always six more weeks of winter, according to the calendar, after Groundhog's Day. According to statistics, the groundhog sees his shadow about 80% of the time.

These days, celebrations of Groundhog's in Punxsutawney, PA, draw crowds of up to 40,000 people. Lilburn, GA houses General Beauregard Lee while Jimmy the Groundhog from Sun Prairie, WI is considered the most legitimate ground hog as he's listed on the Congressional Record and Sun Prairie is considered the Groundhog Capital of the World.

---

posted February 02, 2015 03:25 PM            

Teasel I had a dental appt today, I had to walk there in the freezing, which made me have a doozy of an asthma attack. So I'm in the chair waiting for the procedure to start and the main guy comes in and says they can't work on me because I'm sick!!
Sheesh! If I would of known that I wouldn't have bothered with the long freaking walk.

posted February 02, 2015 07:35 PM            

http://www.examiner.com/article/general-beau-lee-predicts-an-early-spri ng-atlanta-on-groundhog-day-2014

Since there are actually quite a few professional prognosticating woodchucks, I am wondering if accuracy improves if you heed the forecast from the groundhog in the region closest to where you live?

I usually consult Puxatony Phil in Pennsylvania for my Spring forecast. Perhaps I should be be listening to Jimmy the Groundhog in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin instead.

Sun Prairie, Wisconsin even proclaims to be "The Official Groundhog Capital of the World".

http://groundhogcentral.com/ghogwashington.html

posted February 03, 2015 08:52 AM            

I saw a news clip of Jenny the Groundhog and the Mayor last night . Jenny bit the mayors ear

Imbolc hs rolled around again and seeds planted, grow lights on and heart full of hope and wonder for the spring 2015 ahead

posted February 17, 2015 08:55 AM            

31
Days til _S_P_R_I_N_G_

posted February 19, 2015 10:51 AM            

It's zero degrees today. The news says don't go out unless you have to. Okay, I say.

Sighhhh.

It's cold everywhere but out West I hear.
Even in Fl.

posted February 20, 2015 08:44 AM            

I do believe the tulips and daffys are going to be shy this spring and play the waiting game with Mr Groundhog.

28 long days to go.

Stay warm and safe !

posted February 21, 2015 08:10 PM            

I finally got out of the house for a few hours. I really needed that:

posted February 21, 2015 10:19 PM            

I didn't really need it at the time, but I was trying to collect all of them.

quote:

---

For tender sweetness, can help you to see others as friends and also neutralize a sour disposition. It promotes tolerance in people who are judgmental of others. Date Essence brings out the tender side in children who tend to be whiney or clingy; for pets who are domineering, to be more accepting of other animals in the household.

---

I also bought Raspberry for resentment, but stopped taking it because it made me cry - and I am always crying now. I'm going to be giving both to the cats, because they're fighting, now that they're adults. And I'll take them again myself.

Violet, if you see this: http://spirit-in-nature.com/the-flower-essences/tomato-flower-essence

posted February 23, 2015 08:02 AM            

We had one hopeful day Saturday then plunged back down to -25 this a.m.

Since we are kissing cousins to Canada, it isn`t earth shattering but damn miserable to say the least.
The school kids get another day off as the wind chill is -38 and intolerable for them at bus stops.
Even Phoenix refuse`s to indulge in his morning potty break

Spring is supposed to arrive in 25 days but my bets on old man winter hanging & spoiling the party.

posted February 23, 2015 08:09 AM            

I haven`t had much time to fun read. Last year I was supposed to teach a Master Gardening class and ended up on the injured list instead. So, I`ve been prepping for a spring 7-8 week class instead.
I am finding it rather daunting to keep it serious , interesting and fun. With our short growing season, I am trying to stick close to natives and perennials.

Even without sun and warm spring temps, the show will go on

posted February 23, 2015 11:10 AM            

There was a story in today's paper about a policeman who had to go away for some extra training. He put his German Shepard service dog into the police dog kennel. The dog used first chance of cage open to take off.
He has been gone 61 days. People have come from PA. and NJ (and closer placed) to search for this dog. Carson is his name.