Ground Squirrel

So I was out with the dog today - a rather nice morning considering the earliness and the fact that it's still February - and I started thinking about groundhog's day. How is it that we as children just accepted the fact that if a groundhog comes out of his burrow and sees his shadow we'll have winter for another 6 weeks? How does that make sense at all? So I came in and decided to do a little research regarding the fuzzy little guy and his 15 minutes of fame. None of it really explains it, but it's all very interesting. Oh and there are a lot of people obsessed with groundhogs.

According to Wikipedia (which is really the only website I trust), the day coincides with Candlemas Day. It was first referenced as being from Germany and then having something to do with a Scottish poem. Only issue with those theories is that the groundhog is only found in North America.

More likely- it has to do with the combining of the Julian and the Gregorian calendars. This part is all very boring but makes a lot of sense...I'll just let wikipedia explain it to you.

On a related note, we're all taught that Punxsutawney Phil is the only groundhog. NOT TRUE! Apparently there are tons that do the prediction each year but Phil just hogs the limelight. My favorites include: Jimmy the Groundhog (sounds like he's in the Groundhog Mob), Balzac Billy, and of course General Beauregard Lee.

I still feel slightly silly about my country consulting a rodent on matters of weather prediction...at least we got this gem from it.

If you're in the mood for more groundhog fun check these out:
Groundhog.org
Groundhogs.com
and of course a craft (a lame attempt if you ask me)
Stupid "Pop up" Craft



And if you didn't know, today is Ground Hogs day. Phil's calling for more winter while Malverne Mel is calling for an early spring. I'll let them duke it out.