The following is an observation. Nothing is for sale!

Punxsutawney. PA Set to Hoodwink American Public

It’s that time of year again. Tomorrow, February 2nd the folks of Punxsutawney, PA will once again perpetrate the longest running hoax known on the good and gullible American Public.

You heard me right. Groundhog Day as associated with the world-famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil is a complete hoax.

Now if you want to continue believing in Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Punxsutawney Phil, I urge you to leave now.

According to myth, legend, what ever you wish to call it, if the groundhog in Punxsutawney, PA sees his shadow when he exits his domicile on the morning of February 2nd, inhabitants of the U.S. of A. will suffer through another six weeks of winter weather.

Normally intelligent folk will pace the floor, wring their hands, and bemoan the outcome of the day’s events. Get a grip, people! This fuzzy little ball of fur has seen his shadow every year since God made dirt.

If you think this is a bit of a harsh observation, consider this.. If YOU were drug out of your house by the scruff of the neck way BEFORE sun up, subjected to the glare of spotlights, camera lights, flashlights, and flickering flames from the faithful viewers cigarette lighters, you’d see YOUR shadow too!

It’s time that the Punxsutawney Phil committee stop it’s practice of constantly pulling the wool over our eyes during this annual event. Here’s how it SHOULD be done…

Do NOT wake up the furry critter. Let him come out when he’s darned good and ready, not before.

NO artificial light sources allowed. Put away your spotlights, TV lights, flash lights, and butane lighters.

If the sun ain’t shinnin’ the shadow ain’t showin' !

Period .

Enough is enough.

Pete, I'm surprised at you. Wouldn't have believed you were one of those 'know it alls' who made the little ones cry by telling them there's no Santa Claus. For shame!

Sure, there's a Punxatawney Phil...has been many of them over the years since they don't live as long as 'Phil' supposedly has. Any woodchuck in his right mind would grab the job in an instant. Imagine the notoriety, the fun, the power!

Don't be a spoil sport...enjoy life.

Better yet, go endure a seemingly endless dreary winter and better understand the sheer perversity and exasperation with the status quo that leads to fantastic tales and actions.

BTW, I love winter...I just don't like the modern version of it fighting tire chains, traffic, and snow plows. Much prefer a good ol' maple sugaring with hot syrup on real-snow cones...followed by music and laughter and all the rest. Ah, home!

Sandi Bowman

Hey Pete.
I live about 40 miles away from Punxy.
A correction. He does not see his shadow every year.
It's good marketing and great for the town. I'd sure like to be able to create something so successful.
Wouldn't you?
Larry

Larry,

You're right, he DOESN'T see his shadow every year. This year was the 15th time he hasn't seen his shadow.

However, let's take another look at this.. The above figure means that in 120 years (the whole thing started in 1887) 105 times he HAS seen his shadow.

Not good odds in my book. At any rate, seeing his shadow hasn't always been the correct answer either.

Don't remember exactly, but I think the last time he didn't see his shadow was in 1999. And, your right. This would be the type of "lock" everyone would like to have going for their town, business, etc.

Pete

Actually there are several towns in the USA that capitalize on the groundhog day hype but Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous and hardest city to spell. Does it bother me, NO. Never took much stock in it, winter in the MidWest is a good 3 months before its over from Groundhogs day.

http://www.groundhogsday.com/groundhogcentral.php