Groundhog Day

Today in Sun Prairie, a small city just the other side of Madison, Jimmy the Groundhog woke up and didn't see his shadow... so that should mean spring is right around the corner, unless it's not.  His much more famous cousin, Punxsutawney Phil, reached the same forecasting conclusion today.

By the way, a number of years ago my folks lived near Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and we went to look at Phil and his friend.  At the time, home was a little glass enclosure connected to the Public Library.

Who knew groundhogs liked to read!  Maybe that's where the meteorological expertise comes from.  You have to give it up to the PR firms that represent the groundhogs - because they get a nice bit of pub each year.

The prediction of an early spring is just vague enough to be right. I'm pretty sure the result means just six more weeks until spring.

Well, when you wake up to two more inches of snow on the ground - the idea of an early spring can warm up the soul of many a shoveler. 

Either way, now that January is in our rear view mirror it always seems to me that spring is really on its way.

With only 28 days stretched before us - the next four weeks will fly by in a mix of snow, sun, clouds, mild warmth, and bone-chilling cold.  But, then it's March, and while March can be cold and deliver lots of snow - they tend to come in leonine rushes leaving spring in its wake.

So, if you like Jimmy or Phil's predictions - or that of another hibernating mammal... take heart spring is on its way!