Murderous Musings

Bu Chester Campbell

It looks like this year's Groundhog Day may put an end to all the foolishness. When Punxsutawney Phil attempts to poke his ratty nose out of his hole tomorrow morning, he'll probably have to burrow through a couple of feet of fresh snow. If he finds the lack of a shadow a reason to remain outside and frolic, he'll wind up with a frozen tush.

According to the omniscient Wikipedia:
 
An early American reference to Groundhog Day can be found in a diary entry dated February 5, 1841, of Berks County, Pennsylvania storekeeper James Morris:

Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candelmas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.

The way it looks on the Weather Channel today, it not only most likely be cloudy but snowy and icy and any other precipitative term you can think of. They're calling it the worst snowstorm in a winter of almost continuous storms. We'd all be ecstatic at the thought of spring arriving any day now, but the prospects are for more of the same.

There's an interesting piece on the ABC News site this morning about the outlook for Groudhog Day 2011. The writer talks about the movie Groundhog Day that featured Bill Murray and compares it to what we're facing now. Being an eternal optimist, I'll take Phil's side and hope he stays out to play in the now and then brings a welcome break in our winter of discontent.

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