Groundhog Day 2020

It's Groundhog Day and those who are not fans of winter (I don't mind it) are happy to know that neither NYC's groundhog (in Staten Island) Philadelphia's Punxatawney Phil, saw their shadow and folk lore has always seen this is a sign of an early spring.

Regarding seeing one's shadows, I wish I had not seen mine on January 18 2020 when I was taking photographs for an article I was writing about the first snowfall of the decade, because when I moved in order to not have it be in my picture, I fell and broke my greater tuberosity.

Results are in...

Results are in (an update on this morning's post): NYC's spokes-groundhog did not see his shadow, nor did Phil, the spokes-groundhog for Pennsylvania. This supposedly means we are in for an early spring in the northeastern portion of the USA. My update comes with another comic strip from the amazing Patrick McDonnell.

These groundhogs are probably much more reliable than humans when it comes to weather (and most likely other matters); but do remember this wisdom from Bill Vaughn: "The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears."

Prominent Member of the Canadian Geese Community says "Six MORE WKS OF WINTER!" (What a SILLY GOOSE!)

CANADIAN GEESE ARE FEATURED IN VOL 2

CANADIAN GEESE ARE FEATURED IN VOL 2

It's a little after nine o'clock in the morning on Friday, February 2, 2018, which among other things, happens to be Ground Hog Day. This is always the case (at least in the United States) on the second day of the second month of the year.

At this hour, in my time zone (E.S.T.), two well known ground hogs (who "serve" under the names of Punxatawney Phil and Staten Island Chuck) have made their predictions regarding the onset of 2018's spring season.

In Pennsylvania, Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter, while on Staten Island, the rodent did not see a shadow and predicted an early spring would be coming to the NYC area.

The predictions are in for 2018 from the creatures representing NYC and Pennsylvania, however, they are not the only groundhogs who serve as meteorologists, please refer to an article written by Jason Bittel which was published by The Washington Post (2017) to learn more.

Meanwhile, since I have published a number of blog posts on subjects related to Groundhog Day (in bygone years), I'm letting another creature weigh in on the matter re 2018's Groundhog Day.

This particular one is a prominent member of the Canadian Geese Community who spend much of their time within the lake in Central Park. I came upon this silly goose while walking in Central Park yesterday and he/she brought to my attention the fact that his/her reflection could be seen in the lake; as evidenced in the photographs atop this entry.

Moreover, the goose wondered if seeing one's reflection qualified as a prediction that there will be six more weeks of winter. I realize that seeing a reflection of one's self is different than seeing his/her shadow; but I do concede that this goose makes a good point! What say you, dear reader?

CANADIAN GEESE ARE FEATURED IN VOL 2

"The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and disappears." (REPRISED)

Today is Groundhog Day! This is a "holiday" with events whose celebrations date back to 1887 in the United States. However, traditions re this day started long before that, and the Romans looked to hedgehogs — not groundhogs — to forecast the ending of winter or the arrival of spring. However, when folks migrated to Pennsylvania, there weren't any hedgehogs to be found — so they used a groundhog instead!

One of my hedgehog figurines, who has spent time in my indoor succulent garden, has always been a bit "miffed" that the "role" of predicting the weather was delegated to a groundhog! Therefore, to appease him, I included his photograph, which is very similar to the one at the top of today's blog entry, in blog posts that I've made here on TLLG in bygone years. You may refer to those entries by clicking here as well as here.

My other hedgehog figurines seen in the pictures below,

have no aspirations to take over the duties of the groundhog at will-he/she-see-his/her-shadow events, especially in NYC.

In like a lamb . . .

Approximately a month ago I posted an entry about the fact that  Chuck and Phil, the famous groundhogs of the northeast, were in agreement that an early spring was in the works. However, the weather since that time has been very cold.

At least today, the first of March (which is coming in like a lamb so may go out like a lion, delaying spring), brings the promise that there will soon be more daylight. (Daylight Savings Time begins in twelve days on March 13th 2011). 

I am still not ready to unwrap the shrubs and trees that we wrapped in bubble-wrap as well as burlap (from on-line fabrics) this past December (as seen in the photo posted above this entry taken at that time) to prepare them for winter and will probably not do so until April — even if Spring Fever attacks. I have learned the hard way about the consequences of having an eager-beaver-green-thumb, and can almost be certain that other gardeners have done the same, especially after a long dreary winter.

All I can say to my urban gardener comrades is this: those that wait upon the onset of warmer temperatures renew their strength and benefit their gardens.

Sansevieria trifasciata and Other Delights in Tony's Garden

Even though Phil and Chuck, the respected northeastern groundhogs did predict an early spring, it is still winter — mid winter — and although the temperature in the New York City area where I live is predicted to reach near sixty degrees by the end of the week, my urban gardener-comrades  and I will continue to give our respective outdoor gardens (and ourselves) a much needed rest. 

However, indoor gardeners, such as Tony (whose luscious succulent garden can be seen on a window-sill facing Seventy-Second Street in the Upper Westside of New York City and is  the subject of the photograph posted above) continue to find exciting opportunities in maintaining a succulent garden. His succulents vary widely in form, texture, and color mirroring his design potential. At the moment, his Sansevieria trifasciata (Mother-in-law tongue/ Snake plant) stands proudly (as seen in the left corner of this photograph) and seems to watch over the succulent community around her as a lioness would watch over her cubs. Tony's garden exudes the warmth and wonder of exciting places like North Africa, Australia, and Yemen — a much needed respite in the bleakness of winter. 

Staten Island Chuck AND Punxsutawney Phil's "News"

This is an unscheduled entry as I normally post on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, but occasionally I offer an additional post when a noteworthy event occurs, or when I need to follow-up on a given topic. I wrote about the importance of following-up on entries this past fall, and since in Tuesday's entry I discussed the meaning of Groundhog Day (which is today), I am happy to report this: For those who have not heard, our beloved: New York City rodent, Staten Island Chuck, did not see his shadow this morning, which those weary of winter will be happy to know, because this is a traditional sign that spring is on the way.

Staten Island Chuck was in agreement this year with Punxsutawney Phil, who did not see his shadow either. Rare is the case when New Yorkers and those from Pennsylvania agree on much — especially when it comes to their respective sports teams — but today, these citizens do agree on one thing: they hope their "meteorologist-rodents" are correct in their prediction of an early end to winter.

As for me, I'm not hurrying outside to de-winterize my ice-caked roof-extension garden by unwrapping any plants. In fact, maybe I'll invest in a shovel (since they apparently are on sale, as many shop-keeepers have taken on the sentiments of the cartoon posted above) for the snow that's still predicted.