There, I've said it. I realize this statement probably won't win me any new friends, and may jeopardize some already-existing friendships, but I can't help it. It's the truth.
Therefore, I'm very excited that there's a holiday that centers on them. I know it's probably the silliest holiday that regularly gets a space on our calendars, but I can't help but enjoy this fact as well. I think at this point in the winter, a lot of people are ready for any excuse to celebrate, so why not celebrate the emergence of a mammal from a hole in the ground (or a specially-constructed shelter, in the case of some of the more famous groundhogs)?
Speaking of "more famous groundhogs," I actually got to meet the most famous groundhog of all a couple of years ago. In 2008, Punxsutawney Phil made a rare January appearance at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, and I simply had to go see him. Well, not only did I get to see him, but I got my picture taken with him and some of the members of The Inner Circle! (Astute observers will recognize my profile picture as coming from this photograph.)
And a couple of years before I met Phil, I wrote a poem about this holiday, which I've posted below, even though at this point in the day we don't know if Phil has actually seen his shadow. But even if he doesn't (which I think is pretty rare), I thought I should share it anyway.
There’s a certain little mammal
with fur that’s mostly brown,
who’s really good at digging holes
and lives under the ground.
This guy is called a groundhog
--but he’s called a woodchuck, too,
and on this day each year he has
a special job to do.
His job is not too difficult,
in fact he does it well—
he simply climbs out of his hole,
the weather to foretell.
For if he sees his shadow
when he looks upon the earth,
it means we’ll have more winter—
another six week’s worth.
But if he sees no shadow,
that predicts a different fate.
It means that spring will be here soon
and we won’t have long to wait.
This year the famous groundhog
known as Punxsutawney Phil
said that we will have more winter—
and you know, I think we will.
So keep your snow boots handy
and find your shovels, too,
cause although Phil is a groundhog,
I think his words are true.
Happy Groundhog Day!
