Tomorrow is Groundhog Day…
You may remember the movie “Groundhog Day”, about a cynical weatherman (Bill Murray) who finds himself reliving the same day, February 2, over and over while on location in Punxsutawney to report on Phil, the Groundhog who predicts when Spring will arrive.
We, too, may feel like we’ve been living the same day on repeat, …the month of January is long, dark, and, often, there isn’t much to look forward to. And like the groundhog, we have cabin fever.
The US first celebrated Groundhog Day on February 2, 1886, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. In Canada, Wiarton Willie began forecasting in 1956. If they see their shadow (on February 2), Spring is six weeks away; however, if the day is cloudy, Spring is just around the corner. It’s no surprise their predictions are only 50% accurate! We all know this is not scientific; just a fun day in the middle of winter. Either way, Spring is coming, the days are getting longer, and soon, we, too, will be finding our way outdoors to check things out.
Prior to winter, groundhogs consume enormous amounts of fruits and vegetables, giving them the strength to burrow “rooms” deep underground with several points of entry…sometimes up to as many as 20. They then hibernate from 3-6 months. During this period, their heart rate drops considerably, and they lose a third of their body weight.
Male groundhogs instinctively emerge from their dens in early February on the hunt for the burrows that belong to females. Although they do not mate until March, the male may choose to spend a night getting to know each other…maybe this is their Valentine’s Day!
It looks like it may be cloudy here on Friday…will we be treated to an early Spring? Only Wiarton Willie knows!
xox Judy❤️
