6 More Weeks Of Winter

If official ... Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today, leading the groundhog to forecast six more weeks of winter. The belief is that if a hibernating animal cast a shadow on February 2nd winter would last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early.

What does Groundhog Day mean to you? For me, I think of having one day of my life repeated over and over and over again like Bill Murray in the 1993 comedy film, Groundhog Day. In this movie, Bill stars as Phil Connors, a depressed and cynical weatherman who loathes his annual assignment of covering the Groundhog celebrations in Punxsutawney, PA. When a monster snowstorm hits while on assignment, Phil is forced to stay the night in this little town. But when he wakes up, it’s the same day as yesterday. Phil ends up moving through the same steps as the day before, having the same conversations with the same people. His life becomes a continual loop. The film popularized the usage of "groundhog day" to mean something that is repeated over and over again.

Now wouldn't that be interesting? To relive the same 24-hour period period and have a chance to come to grip with your own personal frailties? That would be a powerful opportunity. But, of course, it would be just my luck I'd get stuck waking up to the melodic strains of Sonny and Cher singing "I've Got You, Babe" every single morning ... uggh. Or better yet, stranded in a time-warp of -30° wind chill running weather ... double-uggh.

I learned a few interesting facts about this little-known holiday. Did you know...

• On February 2, Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, comes out of his burrow on Gobbler’s Knob to predict the weather for the rest of winter.
  
  
• Phil is the only true weather forecasting groundhog. The others are just imposters.
  
  
• According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.
  
  
• How often is Phil's prediction correct? 100 percent of the time, of course.
  
  
• How many "Phils" have there been over the years? There has only been one Punxsutawney Phil. He has been making predictions for more than 120 years.
  
  
• The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day, which states, "For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May..."

So whatever comes your way, be sure to enjoy the extra six weeks of winter.