| Author | Content |
dave
Jacksonville, TX
(Zone 8a)
 January 26, 2003
7:00 PM Post #457914
| There are a total of 134 votes:
| I predict he'll see his shadow - six more weeks of winter
(71 votes, 52%) |  |
| I predict he won't see his shadow, and spring will come early!
(44 votes, 32%) | |
| Who's Punxsatawney Phil?
(19 votes, 14%) | |
|
Previous Polls |
tea
January 26, 2003
7:22 PM Post #457927
| If you don't know who Phil is, you've got to rent the movie "Groundhog Day." It is hilarious! |
Paintedlady
Ellabell, GA
(Zone 8a)
January 26, 2003
8:04 PM Post #457964
| He better not see any shadows!!!!!!!! I had it with winter. |
Shirley1md
Ellicott City, MD
(Zone 7a)
January 26, 2003
9:49 PM Post #458050
| I don't know how much stock I put in a groundhog!
However, the Farmer's Almanac predicts a "whopping" snow storm for next month! Would you believe its suppose to happen on February 14th, Valentine's Day?!! I'm more prone to listen to their advice, since they have been very accurate to date! |
Joan
Belfield, ND
(Zone 4a)
 January 27, 2003
1:32 AM Post #458169
| We've been very spoiled here the past few years. Last year I was outside working in my yard in February in shorts and a tee shirt! This year is more like the winters I remember from my childhood. Below zero temps and lots of snow. So, I don't think winter is going to end anytime soon. We can still get major blizzards and tons of snow up until the end of April. I don't think and groundhog in his right mind would dig his way out in this weather.
The movie Groundhog Day is great! We have the VCR tape and now I want to find it again. |
haighr
Hagerstown, MD
(Zone 6a)
January 27, 2003
7:58 AM Post #458244
| I can't remember the last time we had spring as it has been going from a mild winter right to hot weather or a very wet warm spring. So, I am hoping that since winter has finally come back to being a typical winter of cold and snow, perhaps we will have a nice spring for a change and ease our way into summer.
Wishful thinking on my part- I've had it with 8 degree days and shoveling! |
kikisdad
Apalachin, NY
(Zone 9a)
January 27, 2003
10:24 AM Post #458354
| It seems like that stupid woodchuck always sees his shadow. Won't have 6 more weeks of winter here though! |
lupinelover
Grove City, OH
(Zone 6a)
January 27, 2003
2:59 PM Post #458506
| I don't know that "predict" is what I would say: how about "hope and pray" *grin* Winter has been too long already: it got a very early start, and is getting worse every day!!! |
debi_z
Springfield, MA
(Zone 6a)
January 27, 2003
6:16 PM Post #458669
| well we are suppose to be minus 7 degrees tonight and that is without the wind chill factor. if there is a **** i'm in the middle of it. LOL i hate winter and i think it is here to stay until april. the farmers almanac says 2 snow storms in april. and last year it was in the 90's in april. oooooooh i wish for an early spring, but...i think it will be a late one. ugh!!!! |
mark
Antrim, Northern Ire
(United Kingdom)
(Zone 8b)
January 27, 2003
6:24 PM Post #458684
| so is this ground hog real or stuffed?
and explain the difference is seeing or not seeing a shadow. what if it was clear skies for months but cloudy when he comes out then sunny again and what if it's cloudy, then clears and goes cloudy again all in a matter of minutes |
yvana
Stone Mountain, GA
(Zone 7b)
January 27, 2003
8:41 PM Post #458794
| It's a real groundhog! (not stuffed)
See [HYPERLINK@www.groundhog.org] for details. |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
January 28, 2003
12:43 AM Post #458983
| Groundhogs sleep right through it here. Too cold for them. We always have 6 more weeks of winter. Thats like March 20th. Things will start to warm then. First planting around here is usually mid April.
ßernie |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
January 28, 2003
11:41 AM Post #459165
| Mark, the groundhog is real. Here's an explanation that has some roots (however shallow) in science:
In North America, we have prevailing winter winds from the north (cold) and high clouds. Around mid-winter (early February), the weather patterns change and the winds start coming out of the south, which also bring more cloud cover along with warmer temperataures.
If the prevailing winds are still coming out of the north, high clouds means bright sunshine, and shadows, and winter still has us in its grip.
But if the winds have already shifted to come from the south, it's more likely that there will be cloud cover, and no shadow - spring is on its way.
I always vote (hope, beseech, pray, plead) for no shadow. Unfortunately, the historical odds are something like 6:1 in favor of him seeing his shadow :( |
Evert
Espoo
(Finland)
(Zone 4b)
January 28, 2003
3:18 PM Post #459297
| I hate the movie... I don't understand this shadow thing - what shadow??? |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
January 28, 2003
3:52 PM Post #459321
| The groundhog supposedly sees his own shadow that he casts when he is outside (just like you or I do if we stand outside on a sunny day.) The groundhog is supposedly afraid of his shadow and runs back into his home if he sees it. If it's cloudy, and he doesn't see his shadow he stays outside.
I guess the movie 'Groundhog Day' is an acquired taste, but then again I grew up watching Bill Murray (the lead actor in it) in 'Caddyshack', which - coincidentally - also co-stars a furry critter ;0) |
Evert
Espoo
(Finland)
(Zone 4b)
January 28, 2003
4:06 PM Post #459332
| Hmm, I see.. :} |
kikisdad
Apalachin, NY
(Zone 9a)
January 28, 2003
4:59 PM Post #459377
| Who knows what weather lurks in the weeks ahead? THE SHADOW KNOWS! |
mark
Antrim, Northern Ire
(United Kingdom)
(Zone 8b)
January 28, 2003
5:40 PM Post #459398
| so do they wake a ground hog out of hibernation just for this purpose? |
TwinLakesChef
OC, CA & Twin Lakes , IA
(Zone 4b)
January 28, 2003
5:44 PM Post #459403
|
This message was edited Tuesday, Jan 28th 5:45 PM |
Gwist
Biel
(Switzerland)
(Zone 7a)
January 28, 2003
5:52 PM Post #459406
| Still hoping for no shadow,but today was 11c and sunny,dropping to -2c and snow tomorrow..go figure.
Go-vols,I used to watch Bill Murray on Saturday Night live,and "Groundhog day" is one of my favorites from him. |
kikisdad
Apalachin, NY
(Zone 9a)
January 28, 2003
6:19 PM Post #459426
| OK Mark. You seem interested in this silly American exercise in nonsense so here goes MY explanation.
The nice,usually sane, people in a small Pennsylvania town have developed a tradition of being the source of wisdom concerning "Groundhog Day". Purportedly (and SURELY not backed with any real science) there exists a "Groundhog" in Punxsatawnny, PA who can predict the weather based on the presence/lack of sunlight on the given day. The "town fathers" or elected officials or whatever term of reference you like for typical politicians, gather on the town square or whereever, awaken this poor stupefied woodchuck and give forth with all sort of inane speechifying, hoping to get re-elected next time around.
Presumably if the groundhog (aka Stupid woodchuck) sees his shadow before retreating to his burrow, there will be 6 more weeks of winter. If he were not able to discern a shadow due to cloudiness, a huge blizzard or atomic fallout etc., Spring weather will arrive early.
So if you did not think we fine folks on this side of the pond were a bit crazy, this should dispel all doubt.
Personally,however, I hope ole Phil doesn't see his shadow this year because Winter has been too long already!
|
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
January 28, 2003
7:43 PM Post #459457
| I like your last line, we know you are a true beleiver.LOL
ßernie |
trekk1
January 28, 2003
10:54 PM Post #459605
| Is there anything to back up all this with the groundhog? And does this work all over, or just where the groundhog is watched? |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
January 28, 2003
11:12 PM Post #459618
| It's mostly just a tradition and something to break up the monotony of late winter. Here's the "official" website: [HYPERLINK@www.groundhog.org] (like it's necessary, lolol.)
Here are some Q&A's: [HYPERLINK@pittsburgh.about.com]
and here's a launchpad to all things groundhog: [HYPERLINK@urbanlegends.about.com] |
Abutilon
Coal Center, PA
(Zone 6a)
January 29, 2003
12:56 AM Post #459661
| Well, I don't live all too far from Phil ..so I have heard of him.
The crowd that Phil's prediction attracts Groundhog Day is nothing short of amazing!
There are so many cameras, lights, etc ..how could he not see his shadow?
But true. HA |
Morph
Dayton, OH
(Zone 5a)
January 29, 2003
1:30 AM Post #459670
| Evert,
I don't know your humor, but a film that my DH & I just love is Stripes with Bill Murray. Try that if you haven't seen it yet and let us know what you think, 'kay? Groundhog Day got really old, really fast for me. Just MHO...
Now, since we've had all the cold & snow at the right time (i.e. WINTER time), I voted for an early Spring! I'm hoping our seasons will cooperate with how we've defined them since I really want to get outside!!!!
BTW, with global warming & our gradual shift in how we circle the sun, do you think they'll ever change the definitions of when the season's really start & end? LOL ~ just food for thought... |
tiG
Newnan, GA
(Zone 8a)
January 29, 2003
7:17 AM Post #459724
| We have our own southern groundhog, with almost the same ferver pitch of cameras and politicians showing up. General Beauregard Lee. Cause our weather can be so different from up north. |
flowerpot
St. Thomas, ON
(Zone 5b)
January 29, 2003
9:15 AM Post #459777
| We have Wierton Willy II our old guy died two years ago! ha ha it's going to be six more weeks of winter or six weeks until spring!! But it's fun having this mid winter sillyness to break it up. HAPPY GROUND HOG DAY IN ADVANCE :) |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
January 29, 2003
3:18 PM Post #459921
| My Grandpa always said if the rodent saw his shadow it was 6 more weeks of winter. If he didn't, it would be a month and a half. Grandpa and I spent a lot of pleasant summer evenings gunning down Phil's relatives in our part of the world. From my experience, Groundhogs, or woodchucks (forestcharles if you run to society) are nasty creatures with big teeth, a fast spin inspite of their bulk and the ability to tear up a hay field in a very short time digging their multitudinous dens. |
mom2cats
Moorestown, NJ
(Zone 7b)
January 29, 2003
3:48 PM Post #459935
| I live "near" Phil too (I'm just 10 mins east of Philadelphia) and he is for real. He's not a "wild" groundhog, he's more of a pet (I think he's actually at a zoo if I'm not mistaken)...so he doesn't really hibernate and really isn't 'disturbed' to make his 'prediction'.
I tend to agree with Haighr and the Farmer's Almanac as for what type of prediction we'll have -- it's far more reliable than Phil is - although he sure is cute!
|
lupinelover
Grove City, OH
(Zone 6a)
January 29, 2003
7:47 PM Post #460047
| Mark, don't be too concerned about waking the groundhog: they often wake during the winter. It is fairly common to see them along the side of the road from late January through April on nice days. They come up and bask in the warm sun (just like the rest of us :) The superstition part is that the "shadow" makes them afraid: these things are afraid of nothing! Least of all their shadows. |
mom2cats
Moorestown, NJ
(Zone 7b)
January 29, 2003
9:12 PM Post #460086
| Oh I can vouch for you Lupinelover, about the ground hogs not being afraid of their shadows! They're really not afraid of much of anything! They will run when you get close to them, but that's just instinct to stay away...but if you tangle with one, they can be quite nasty! I used to deal with them at the wildlife refuge I volunteered at and as "cute" as they look, their personalities aren't necessarily the same. If you get one as a baby, that's different, but not one who's old enough to "know better".
I haven't seen any around here this year -- too cold for them I think. We have had more snow and cold this year than we have had for quite a while. They are cute to watch though...I love to see them scrambling around. |
IndaShade
Kylertown, PA
(Zone 5b)
January 30, 2003
10:30 AM Post #460130
| It takes me about 45 minutes to get to PUNXSUTAWNEY (correct spelling)or Punxsy for short. It didn't used to be such a big deal around here until the Bill Murray movie-- now it's just a big drunken frat party and I think that's a shame. I made the mistake of trying to go to the Punxsy Historical Society one year on Groundhog Day a couple of years ago. It is a mistake I will never make again. :-)
Punxsutawney Phil, a tame local woodchuck, resides for now in a climate controlled atmosphere in the Punxsy library, but I understand that that's about to change and he's getting his own quarters. The Punxsy Historical Society has all kinds of really neat momentos from when they were making the movie there-- an autographed script, a director's chair, etc. I know they didn't film much of the movie in Punxsy, but it REALLY looks like downtown Punxsy in the film. The restaurant that Bill Murray keeps going into would be the Hotel Pantall, which sits downtown on the corner.
This year some of the local stores are selling official TY Beanie Baby groundhogs, and our local Straub brewery always makes Groundhog beer. I think it's only a diversion for those of us in this area of PA because we are bored into a coma by all of the winter weather we have been having lately. Any stupid reason to break the monotony is okay with us!
Evert, this area of PA was settled by alot of German immigrants and they brought their folklore, weather and otherwise, with them and kept it alive. The "Groundhog seeing it's shadow on Feb. 2" is kind of a convoluted version of an old German weather folklore thing. Another old German legend that is prevalent in MY area is that on March 3, which is the Feast of St. Kunigunde in the Catholic religion, that the ground will start to warm up from below. In fact the saying is "Kunigund macht warm bon unt." But if it thunders on Kunigund Day-- "Wenn es donnert um Kunigund, treibts der Winter noch lange bunt"-- then winter will stay.
More than you ever wanted to know about rodents and the weather. :-D |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
January 30, 2003
11:03 AM Post #460155
| Inda, thanks for the spelling correction - I knew it didn't look quite right, and I should have checked it before the question went up on the voting booth. (My only excuse - and a poor one at that - is that I don't live in the area, so I only hear/read/see the word once a year ;0)
|
mom2cats
Moorestown, NJ
(Zone 7b)
January 31, 2003
12:36 AM Post #460620
| Indashade -- thanks! You provided a lot of great info! |
holyhill
January 31, 2003
12:38 AM Post #460622
| every time I think of plants I know that there is alot in them that fascinates me |
holyhill
January 31, 2003
12:42 AM Post #460623
| whether you like it or not plants are a group of organisms that their uses are not yet fully comprehended |
Weezingreens
Seward, AK
(Zone 3b)
January 31, 2003
4:09 PM Post #460849
| Hey, Flowerpot! You'll never believe what I have... the obit for Wierton Willy! I saw it in the paper a couple years ago and just had to scan it! Small world, eh? 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Janni
Greenview, MO
(Zone 5b)
January 31, 2003
7:44 PM Post #460960
| Well, we have an assortment of groundhogs in MO zoos that predict the next 6 weeks. Personally, I hope spring comes Tuesday, but since they are predicting an accumulation of snow on Monday, I say I am just as good as any ol' groundhog and we are going to have 6 more weeks of COLD winter. Bah! |
flowerpot
St. Thomas, ON
(Zone 5b)
January 31, 2003
10:54 PM Post #461064
| Wow Weezi I don't even have that picture ha ha yah it really is a small world. My Daughter and her Husband are celebrating their 13th wedding anniversary on Ground Hog Day, makes it easy to remember. |
valeriegail
February 1, 2003
5:52 PM Post #461310
| Have had spring fever since October. I really don't care about the groundhog, but want to see more than chicadees at the bird feeder. The pussywillows are out, if that's any indication of weather. Freezing rain storm here today, knocked down a few trees, so please Mr. or Mrs. Spring or Mother Nature, whoever you are please come soon. |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
February 1, 2003
6:02 PM Post #461315
| We are getting rain right now, temp is 39º. Supposed to be cloudy tomarrow. Maybe I should order seed potatoes! LOL
ßernie |
MOLLYBEE
Villa Rica, GA
(Zone 7a)
February 2, 2003
9:40 AM Post #461670
| No Shadow seen here in Ga...meaning spring is just around the corner!! YEAH!!!!!
What happened with your own state's Groundhog?? |
rootdoctor
Hartselle, AL
(Zone 6a)
February 2, 2003
11:10 AM Post #461725
| Dang ground rodent! It's 58º and sunny,I honestly think I hear a lawnmower going.going up to close to 70º,Great day here. |
CountryGardens
Lewisville, MN
(Zone 4a)
February 3, 2003
11:47 AM Post #461897
| Rain all day so we had a wet ground hog!
ßernie |
