February 12, 2014

Groundhog Daze


Another Groundhog Day has come and gone, the annual tradition celebrated every February by abruptly waking a burrowing rodent from his winter slumber at sunrise to become a meteorologist for a day. According to folklore, if the groundhog sees his shadow, expect six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, there will an early spring. (For me, spring is never too early!)

One of the most famous furry February forecasters making these predictions every year is Punxsutawney Phil, residing in the rural countryside of Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Groundhog Phil is a celebrity in the Northeast U.S., and gained worldwide attention after he made numerous appearances in the 1993 film comedy, “Groundhog Day.” (Note: Prior to the movie, Gobbler’s Knob had crowds of about 2,000 on Groundhog Day. Since the movie, crowds there have topped as high as 30,000 for the celebration.)


Phil appeared repeatedly and handsomely in that movie, thus attracting a following of admirers, because the movie is about one day, Groundhog Day, repeating over and over in a time loop until Bill Murray, a dispirited rather grumpy TV weatherman covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, reexamines his life, makes needed personality adjustments, and finally gets the lovely producer, Andie MacDowell, to fall in love with him. 

Here’s a funny trailer from the movie:



Fun movie, one of my favorites, but back to present day Groundhog Phil…  

Crowds gathered at dawn on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney on the frosty cold morning of February 2, bundled up in warm coats, scarves and hats, cameras in gloved hands, anxiously awaiting the forecast. As the sun began rising over the wooded hillside, Phil slowly emerged from his tree stump burrow, looking sleepy but regal, rubbed his eyes, sat up and gave what everyone swears was a wave to the delighted crowd. Phil then paused and looked around, contemplating the importance of the moment as the crowd leaned forward, and the proclamation was made for February 2014: Six more weeks of winter!

Phil says, "I can only please half of the people half of the time!"
Snow lovers cheered; spring lovers jeered! My two-cents to Phil: I am not pleased (although I understand the big furball is only doing his job). This winter has already been the worst we have seen in many years in these parts with heavy snow, ice storms and freezing temperatures (and I don’t like to be that cold!). OK, I know there are some snow lovers out there but for many of us spring cannot come soon enough. 


"Well, it's Groundhog Day... again!"
"There is no way this winter is ever going to end, as long as this groundhog keeps seeing his shadow. I don't see any other way out. He's got to be stopped!"
~ Bill Murray, Groundhog Day


Punxsutawney Phil, Weather Prophet Extraordinary according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, has been in the “early Spring or forget about it, six more weeks of winter!” forecasting business since 1887...that’s right, 1887...well over a century of emerging from his cozy burrow every February 2 to let us know which way the season will go. He’s quite senior for a groundhog, ancient in fact. The Punxsutawney Groundhog website insists there has only been one Phil throughout all those years. Apparently Phil’s lifespan, much longer than any groundhog in history, has been magically extended by sipping a secret recipe Groundhog Punch called the “elixir of life” served up by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club at their annual summer picnic. Secret recipe groundhog punch...hmmm…


Rumors are circulating that Phil may have lost his edge, gotten a bit too comfy. Since becoming a celebrity, the venerable groundhog forecaster has been spending his time in a cozy, heated simulated tree trunk (no burrow in the ground for him), warm and snug, munching on veggie chips and sipping perhaps a wee bit too much of that groundhog punch. After all, his record has been spotty in recent years, having made accurate predictions only 39% of the time. Last winter, Phil predicted an early spring and what happened? We had cold days and snow right through to the end of March. Slipping there, Phil! Looks like groundhog daze to me!

As I am writing this post, my area is expecting yet another major snow storm this winter, a big Nor'easter in fact, so Phil's forecast just may be on target this time. Spring will still come again...one day! Until then, pass the hot chocolate please.


©2014 JerseyLil’s 2 Cents

Photos (except for the hot chocolate photo) from Wikimedia Commons and Google images. Video from YouTube.

42 comments:

  1. It's snowing. I hate snow and groundhogs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna, I am no fan of winter either! Our snow is coming in tonight through tomorrow here, a big Nor’easter. I know there in Wisconsin you get tons of snow!

      Delete
  2. Yes, Phil's forecast has certainly been accurate this year. We are totally snowed in here in Atlanta, and it's expected to get even worse this evening. I wonder what's in that secret Groundhog Punch? Very interesting history about Groundhog Dog and Punxsutawney Phil. I loved that movie, "Groundhog Day." What a riot, and what a great cast! I'm with you, pass the hot cocoa, please.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kris, I am passing the hot chocolate and it would go well with the yummy-looking homemade chocolate chip cookies you posted on Facebook! Yes, looks like Phil’s forecast is right on this time. Record snowfalls for your area and mine. Here in the Northeast we are more prepared for these winter storms, but I know where you are in Atlanta, storms of this magnitude are uncommon. Stay warm and hope your power stays on!

      Glad you enjoyed the history, thanks! I thought it was interesting. Yeah, how about that secret groundhog punch?! I really loved the movie, “Groundhog Day,” so much fun, and love the concept too. We need lots of hot chocolate and cookies!

      Delete
  3. The movie, Groundhogs Day is one of my favorites as well. Living here, we just didn't follow the ground hog and I never knew how big of a deal it was until I saw that movie. Funny little tradition.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Coffee Lady! Yes, the groundhog is quite the big deal in these parts and made more famous by the movie, “Groundhog Day.” That was a great movie, a lot of fun. Groundhog Day is a funny tradition and actually started way back in Europe and later brought to America.

      Delete
  4. I must be living under a mountain or in India, or both, not to have heard of Phil the weather forecaster. We do have our own share of weather prophets but none quite the celebrity as that hedgehog. While I'd like to see snow once in a while -it never snows around here except up north- being holed up in a permafrost is not my idea of having fun. And I am a Spring guy. But, as Shelley said, Spring can't be far behind, and I surely hold the poet in higher esteem.

    That was a fun post. I loved that caption too: The shadows that have been seen cannot be unseen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Uma, I had fun with this post! Phil is quite the celebrity here but outside of the U.S., he is only known through the movie “Groundhog Day,” so that’s likely why you haven’t heard of him. Snow is nice once in a while, but I’d much rather have spring any day. I like what Shelley said about spring. I really liked that caption about the seen and unseen shadows too, Phil's motto!

      Delete
  5. Don't think Phil would be too popular over here if he predicted more rain, the whole country would be underwater. Great post Lil.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dale! Yes, Phil would quickly be tossed out of the UK if he predicted more rain. I saw news reports about the historic flooding there in England, saw pictures of hundreds of people being evacuated from homes along the River Thames, pretty awful. Hope it’s not too bad where you are.

      Delete
  6. Great movie, Madilyn, and great post. So glad to see you blogging again. Like you, I'm in a groundhog daze with snow falling heavily at this very moment on our already snow-gorged streets. The forecast is for more snow and more bitterly cold days ahead. There's a Zen saying: "When it is winter, you shiver; when it is summer, you sweat." So I'll just put on my winter coat and boots and go out and start shoveling the sidewalk with a smile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marty, thank you so much and I’m sorry I only just saw your comment. (Somehow it inadvertently ended up in my spam folder, a problem I have sometimes with the Blogger platform.) “Groundhog Day” was a movie great. I’ve seen it several times over the years, really one of my favorites. Yes, I imagine you’re in a groundhog daze where you live too. It has been so bitter cold this winter with more snow on the way here as well, yet again! Like that Zen saying, so practical. Shoveling the sidewalk with a smile, now that’s the way to handle winter, and that makes me smile! :)

      Delete
  7. So ground-hog day does really exist? I never considered this. Guess I was too charmed by the movie and never considered that there might be the actual tradition being celebrated somewhere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Angelika, we really do celebrate Groundhog Day here every February, it’s a fun tradition. I thought the movie was charming too, and it was based around a real event. Glad you stopped by!

      Delete
  8. The whole Groundhog day thing really confuses me. So one way means six more weeks till winter and the other means spring will be in six weeks. Isnt that the same thing? But I do love tradition and it is definitely on my bucket list to go see Phil one Groundhog day. By the looks of it he will outlive me since he seems to be the only one who has found the fountain of youth so I have plenty of time to make it out there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi cestlavie22! The tradition is that if the groundhog sees his shadow, then six more weeks of winter. But if he fails to see his shadow, then it will be an early spring, meaning spring should come sooner than six weeks. I think it would be fun to see Phil one Groundhog Day. See if he’ll share that secret punch LOL! Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  9. Gobbler's Knob...
    I refuse to believe anybody can call a town that without sniggering.

    Still, I liked that film and this is the sort of slightly bonkers tradition I love so...All glory to Phil!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL Big D, thanks, my guess is that Gobbler’s Knob was named by the groundhog with the secret punch! Describing Groundhog Day as a “slightly bonkers tradition” is kinda perfect, I think. “Ground Day” really was a good film.

      Delete
  10. Poor Phil! Only 39%. But on the other hand, batting at that level is reasonably good in Major League Baseball. If Phil isn't batting, maybe he's just gone batty in his old age.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rob-Bear, you’re right, that percentage would be reasonably good in Major League Baseball. Turns out, Phil’s percentage has just gotten better. We had a huge winter storm today so his prediction of six more weeks of winter seems spot on. Bear hugs right back at ya!

      Delete
  11. I love the whole "Punxsutawney Phil" thingy, which I learned about in Groundhog Day.....one of my favourite movies. Great post. My son and family live in Chicago, so I get to hear about this winter of yours first hand. I thought it was an incredible image when Niagara Falls became ice. Then I heard about the danger of flooding when the ice begins to melt in low-lying areas like Chicago.
    However, I'm told there's another danger when it melting happens and that's 'black ice' on the roads and footpaths. In Sydney it never snows and it's a 6 hour drive to our Snowy Mountains if you want to ski.
    I'll bet there are some areas (viz. Texas etc.) that this winter snow has amazed people, when it appeared.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil, thanks! I didn’t think you celebrated Groundhog Day in Australia but since you’ve seen the movie (one of my favorites too), then you’re familiar with “Punxsutawney Phil” and the tradition. It is a lot of fun! Chicago, where your son and his family live, is very cold and they have harsh winters, maybe even more so than where I am in the Northeast U.S. Black ice is very dangerous, we have that here as well. Yes, Niagara Falls becoming a block of ice was incredible. Many states that rarely see snow, especially in the South, are being hit by historic snowstorms this year.

      Today, my area was hit by a huge Nor’easter, so Phil’s prediction was right this time! It’s looking like we may have six more weeks of winter. Right now, I’m thinking about how nice it would be to be in Sydney where it never snows!

      Delete
  12. Oh I enjoy your sense of humor so much, Madilyn! I love how you blend your own thoughts together with the story. Illustrations are all so funny. Well, it looks like Phil was spot on this time, as evem here in North Carolina we have so much snow, but I like your forecast in facebook better, snow comes like lava lamp!
    Love your style of writing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Yun, I’m so glad you appreciate my sense of humor! I had fun with this story, and I often like to mix in some facts with the whimsy. Yes, it sure does look like Phil was spot on this time. My area was hit with that Nor’easter winter storm today, 14 inches of snow and more coming. I know where you live in North Carolina, you had a rare and historic snowfall. LOL about what I wrote in Facebook about snow coming down like a lava lamp! And thank you for your wonderful compliment on my writing style.

      Delete
  13. I think Phil has hit the nail on the head for many countries around the world right now. I was just watching the forecast on the news and so much of America is being hit by the snow storms with more on it's way and today in the UK we're bracing ourselves for a storm of heavy rains, snow and high winds which has already started in some parts. Even Prince William and Harry came out today to help those who were flooded. I've not seen anything like this in the UK, so many places affected at the same time. What's going on?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rum-Punch Drunk, it’s always good to hear from you! Yes, Phil certainly did hit the nail on the head in my area since we just had a major snowstorm, and for many countries around the world having terrible weather. I’ve seen the news reports about the awful flooding, heavy rains and high winds in the UK. I feel so bad for everyone there. Stay safe! I hope your area won’t be hit too hard. On the world news tonight, I saw footage of Princes William and Harry helping flood victims (those Princes are an honor to their late mother!). So many places being hit at once, and as you said, you’ve never seen anything like it. Weather is changing globally. I think the climate change has to do with global warming, and perhaps the negative effects have been hastened by man-made pollutants damaging the ozone layer. I think that’s what’s going on.

      Delete
  14. Beautiful post, Jersey. Those furry creatures are endearing...
    I hope your snowstorm will be mild this time, my friend.
    I have to admit it. I do love winter, even though, truth be told, I don't like it when the temperatures drop to zero...
    I hope you will still enjoy your winter sun. Happy Valentine's Day my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Julia, my friend, and I hope you had a nice Valentine’s Day as well! Yes, those furry creatures are endearing. After I wrote this post, the Northeast was hit by the biggest snowstorm we’ve had in years, so Phil the Groundhog was right this time. However, the nice part of being snowed in is staying inside with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a good book! Although I’ve never been a fan of winter, I know some people really love it and I can see the beauty in it.

      Delete
  15. This winter has certainly been a harsh one in many parts of the country, including here. Ouch. But - Spring has always come eventually, so I imagine it will this year, too! Bring it on, groundhog's shadow or not! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melody, thanks, it really has been such a harsh winter everywhere, and I know it has been where you are too. Ouch is right! Yes, spring will still come eventually, groundhog’s shadow or not! :)

      Delete
  16. Love that movie! And I really hope the furry creature is right because you guys have had a rough winter. Everyone I know here in California has either went to Chicago, NYC or somewhere east of the Rockies and all I hear is, "Good Lord am I glad to be back!" Nice post. =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Dean! I’m from New Jersey but moved to CA and lived there for many years before moving back to the East Coast again, so I have been “California dreaming” this winter! Yes, “Groundhog Day” was a great movie, so much fun. Glad you enjoyed the post!

      Delete
  17. Hadn't heard of Phil, & must be one of the few not to have seen Groundhog Day. Odd really, as I do like Bill Murray; & we do seem to have some odd weather these days.
    Enjoyed the read JL.
    Cheers, ic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed it, Ian! Yes, I’m sure you wouldn’t have heard of Phil or Groundhog Day in Australia. When you have a chance, I’d suggest seeing the movie “Groundhog Day.” Bill Murray is hilarious, Andie McDowell is wonderful, and Phil the Groundhog is his usual charming self. :) It’s really a lovely and fun story. Cheers to you, too!

      Delete
  18. Hi JerseyLil, well, long live the ground hog then :-) Maybe I stop by one February to take some photos. These animals look like such fun creatures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Angelika. I think the groundhog would be honored if you came out here one February and took his picture! :) You are such a great photographer. Groundhogs are fun creatures on Groundhog Day, but in the summer, I have to chase those critters out of my vegetable garden (well, I let my dog do that LOL!).

      Delete
  19. I love this post. You have definitely had your share of winter, as if 12 weeks of winter got crammed into 6. Living in Ohio, I used to think how fun it would be to join in the festivities, especially because it's my mom's birthday. Since i have become older and much less a fan of the season, not a chance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Charlene! How interesting that your mom’s birthday is Groundhog Day. It really has been a very cold and snowy winter on the East Coast this year. Not the worst I’ve ever seen though. When I was a little girl growing up in Jersey, I remember snow piled high in the yard and I loved playing in it. I liked the snow then, not so much now LOL!! I much prefer Spring!

      Delete
  20. LOVE that movie and I have always wanted to go see Phil in person. :) Stay warm out there. Can't wait to see those cardinal pics!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, we both LOVE that movie!! I have never seen Phil in person and I really ought to go to Gobbler’s Knob on Groundhog Day one of these years. My next post coming very soon will have snow and cardinal pics. Thanks MiMi! :)

      Delete
  21. And here I was feeling sorry for myself because it's colder than usual in Texas. Which, to the rest of the country means, it's spring.
    Who ever looked at a groudhog and thought, you know, this guy will make a great meteorologist? So weird.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Larry. Yes, it’s so funny (and odd) that the groundhog has become a meteorologist! Who’d have thunk it? LOL! I know it’s been colder than usual in Texas too, I have friends there. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete