So, these are the things I learned:
- Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks. I don't know much about woodchucks, except one thing. I know how much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood. Oh wait, I never know the answer to that question either, so I guess I know very little (ok, nothing) about woodchucks, also known as groundhogs.
- The tradition started on this day in 1887 (129 years ago!) with the ancient Christian tradition of Cadlemas Day, when the clergy blessed and distributed candles needed for winter. Guess they needed to know the number of candles? Planners...folks after my own heart!
- Groundhogs typically weigh between 12 to 15 pounds and generally live 6-8 years. By my calculations (because my OCD/anal mind thinks about these things), there have been between 16 and 21 Punxsutawney Phils. Pretty ironic that they all are named Phil. That would be like this is Phil XVII. Long lineage. I wonder if it's really Phillip, but they call him Phil? I digress.
...and then I smile. Do we really try to base our thoughts on more days of spring on whether a varmint (I mean rodent, I mean Honorable Phil XVIII) sees his shadow? Apparently, today, we do. We heard, "There is no shadow to be cast! An early spring is my forecast!"
So tonight, as I put away my sweaters and get out my summer dresses, my expectations have been set. The rodent said it, therefore it must be true! ...and then I remember Phil Connor's (played by Bill Murray) famous line in Groundhog Day. Phil asks Ralph: "What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?"
...and there it is...the opening for another blog post. We let little critters (albeit, a noble lineage of woodchucks) set our expectations when, in reality, does it really matter? Who can predict what is to come?
Well, in some ways, I can. I just washed my car, so I bet it will rain soon! Other than that, all bets are off from this end of the computer.