Once Again

Let me remind you that an early spring comes out to mid-March.  Six more weeks of winter also comes to mid-March.  Phil say his shadow.  Woohoo!  Means the exact same thing as him not seeing his shadow.

So...

Meteorologist Tim Megill, out of Chicago, claims Punxutawney Phil is a punk when it comes to his weather predictions. According to Megill, Phil is only correct 39% of the time. Okay. I’ve always considered Phil to be more of a fun tradition than anything. Six more weeks of winter and an early spring are the same time anyway so what does it matter what Phil predicts?

I may be wrong here, but I’m guessing some people in Punxutawney might take offense to Mr. Megill’s criticism. Which leads me to my question. Phil’s record is 39% accurate. What’s Megill’s? How many times has his weather forecast been spot on? Not close. Not partly correct. I’m talking 100% specific and exact to the last tiny detail.

Perhaps he should examine his own self before he starts throwing stones at a 126 year old tradition.

Oh, and one more thing. Jason, the comments on this blog are moderated. Stop trying to post cigarette ads. I will NEVER approve them so they will NEVER be posted. Quit wasting my time.

Winter Revisited

First there were events at the Olympics postponed due to lack of snow. It was so bad the organizers had to have snow brought in by helicopter. Now, a mere week later, they’re once again postponing events. Due to too much snow falling. The competitors can’t see the course and the judges can’t see the competitors.

Speaking of snow, Phil’s sending us some more. Up to a foot. Woohoo!

It rained yesterday. Wasn’t that nice, washing away a little of the snow to make room for the next batch? I flipped on Howie’s wipers only to discover one was totally disintegrated. Fortunately it was only drizzling at that point so I made it home safely without using the windshield wipers.

Today, I stopped along my way to work for new blades. That was an experience in itself. It was after the designated opening time so I hopped out of Howie, pausing to look at the old blades before I went into the store. Problem was the door was still locked. When the two guys waiting with me tried knocking on the door a young lady eventually came out from the far recesses, yelled for them to stop, and disappeared again. Hmm, interesting to say the least.

Another woman joined me, the guys got back in their car and the clerk returned to let only the two of us in. It turns out she’s just clerical help and has little knowledge of the inventory. Her fellow employee who was supposed to open this morning hadn’t shown up for work and she was unable to reach him. Fortunately for me, she could point me in the direction of wiper blades and operate the register.

I mentioned Howie’s plight at work and a very nice coworker volunteered to install them for me before we left for the day. He’s a Mr. Fix-It, always tinkering with this and that so I accepted his offer even though I’m sure I’m capable of replacing them myself. I’m pleased to report that Howie is once again happy and ready to take on the elements.

Let it snow!

Phil Did It

Commanded the storm that has paralyzed the Mid-Atlantic region of the East Coast. He predicted six more weeks of winter and he wasn’t kidding. I suspect we’re due for even more snow. Why? Because he was so offended by the PETA people suggesting he should be replaced by a machine. Guess he showed them the power of the groundhog, didn’t he? Perhaps next year they’ll have the appropriate respect.

Here’s a pic of poor little Howie. Nope, he’s not going anywhere today. I went for a little walk until I got too cold. Too much snow to get to anything really interesting. Perhaps I’ll try again tomorrow. Oh and who’s that nice young man shoveling snow? That, believe it or not, is the owner of the bar on the corner. He’s shoveling my 85 year old neighbor’s walk. Yeah, he really is. He grew up on this block, knows her and worries about her. How cool is that! Since it was too chilly for much of a ramble I stopped in at the corner for lunch. Every now and then it’s not at all bad living precisely where I do.

Happy Groundhog's Day!

So Punxsutawney Phil, the living, breathing, four-legged, furry one, saw his shadow today. Six more weeks of winter. Fine with me.

Still, I have to chuckle. Saying six more weeks of winter, to me, implies that spring will follow. Taken literally, six weeks is slightly early for when spring technically begins. So if Phil hadn’t seen his shadow we’d have an early spring. Hmm, seems to me that takes us to about the same time as six more weeks of winter does, give or take.

In other words Groundhog’s Day is merely an excuse for festivities. Nothing wrong with that. It’s mid-winter. You could probably use a little cause for celebration since I know you aren’t like me and don’t see winter itself as reason enough to be cheerful. Nope, don’t understand that one but I’ve given up trying to.

Happy Winter!