Groundhog Day

We are wondering if anyone has heard that it is Groundhog Day today?

On February 2nd there is a ceremony in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, specifically on Gobbler’s Knob.  There is a big ceremony with men dressed in tuxedos and a large crowd gathered to wake up Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog from his winter’s nap.

I think Phil actually thinks it’s rather rude to wake him up since he is actually in the middle of hibernating but every year he seems to humor the humans.

If the groundhog sees his shadow, it’s six more weeks of winter.  If he does not then we can look forward to having Spring sooner than expected.

This year Phil did not see his shadow so we are supposed to have an early Spring.  Let’s see what happens . . .

This tradition has been going on quite a long time.  

Well, the story is that back in 1886 the first celebration was held.  The German people actually used a hedgehog to predict winter so when they immigrated to the Pennsylvania hills the tradition continued but with a groundhog. 

This winter in our United States we have had all kinds of weather patterns so far this winter season.  There have been floods, bitter cold temperatures, snow and rain depending on where you live.

If you feel as if the winter has been very long already then you are probably hopeful that Phil the groundhog has made a good prediction.  For those of us that love winter and winter activities you may wish for a bit more time for fun.

No matter what happens, Private Home Health Care knows that we try our best to handle whatever weather comes our way.  We will also try not to hold it against Phil the groundhog if the Spring season takes a bit longer to come.