What's
February 2nd Really About ?
Think Sunday is all about
football? Then think again, because the real star of Februrary 2nd doesn't
have a thing to do with Seahawks or Broncos....
It's really about rodents
who have the power to determine our weather for the next six weeks
!
It's...
GROUNDHOG
DAY
Just in case any of you
aren't aware of the significance of this historic date, if the sun is shining
and a groundhog sees his shadow as he awakens from his slumber, six weeks of
winter lie before us. If it's cloudy, we're in for an early spring
!
Just ask anyone from the Midwest and
east coast...and lately the deep south..
What do you think is more important to
them this year?
This...
or
This
?
I'm betting on the later !
And so, rather than concern myself with
a football game that I won't be able to tell you who won or lost two years from
now....
...instead, I choose to concern myself
with honoring the REAL MEANING of February 2nd...the
groundhog !
Normally this big day is dominated each
year by a star who has been recognized for years....
...an expert at weather
predictions...
...one who
claims to be "the one" who knows
all...
...one who starred in a movie with Bill
Murray...
Punxsutawney Phil
BUT...2014 IS CREATING A
CHALLENGE !
Unfortunately Phil
recently tested positive for performance enhancing
drugs.
He vehemently denied the
allegations at a recent press conference; however, the International Groundhog
Union's arbitration board confirmed the report and has suspended Phil for a 12
month period commencing in 2014...without pay.
And due to the conflict,
the organization has decided to cancel this
year's celebration.
Meanwhile, non-union
members around the United States and Canada from minor league
operations have crossed picket lines and supplied "replacement players" for the day's
honors.
And it is these brave
creatures who have crossed union picket lines in order to maintain the spirit of
this day.
FROM THE
UNITED STATES
"Woodstock Willie"
(from northern
Illinois)
"Susquehanna Sherman"
(from Pennsylvania)
"Western Maryland
"Murray"
"Staten Island
Chuck"
"Octorara
Orphie"
(from Buffalo, New
York)
"Chattanooga
Chuck"
(from Tennessee)
"Pine Grove Grover"
(from Pennsylvania)
"Jimmy the
Groundhog"
(from Wisconsin)
"Smith Lake
Jake"
from Alabama
"Grady the
Groundhog"
"French Creek
Freddie"
"Buckeye
Chuck"
General Beauregard
Lee
(from Georgia)
"Chuckles" and his
wife
(from
Connecticut)
"Flatiron Freddy"
(from
Colorado)
"Potomac
Phil"
FROM CANADA
"Wiarton Willie"
(from Ontario)
"Shubenacadie
Sam"
(from Nova Scotia)
"Manitoba Merv" and Live-In
companion
"Balzac
Billy"
To these brave rodents, we salute you for the courage you are
demonstrating.
And to all others....
Enjoy the Spirit of the day !
Dick Arendt