In honor of the Groundhog

There comes a time in every one's life when they ask themselves the important question: What is groundhog day? I have come to that point in my life. I have often wondered to myself what significance a little pot gut spouting his thoughts about the weather and meteorological events plays in my life. In all honesty, I have been confused about the holiday in general. If the groundhog sees his shadow, does it mean six more weeks of winter? If he doesn't see his shadow, did he just get up too early? How does this make him a "prognosticator of prognosticators?" What does that word even mean? Well I will tell you.

VERB: to prognosticate (third-person singular simple present prognosticates, present participle prognosticating, simple past and past participle prognosticated)
(transitive) To predict or forecast, especially through the application of skill.
Examining the tea-leaves, she prognosticated dark days ahead.
(transitive) To presage, betoken.
The bluebells may prognosticate an early spring this year.

I'm not sure that much skill is involved in climbing out of a little burrow to see one's shadow, but that's just me. Who am I to judge a little rodent who apparently has more weather knowledge? That would be plain presumptuous for me to do so.

Well here are a few little facts about groundhog day to clear up any confusion.

• The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania's earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day, which states, "For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May..."
• According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.
• Groundhogs are covered with coarse grayish hairs (fur) tipped with brown or sometimes dull red. They have short ears, a short tail, short legs, and are surprisingly quick. Their jaws are exceptionally strong.
• Groundhogs are one of the few animals that really hibernate. Hibernation is not just a deep sleep. It is actually a deep coma, where the body temperature drops to a few degrees above freezing, the heart barely beats, the blood scarcely flows, and breathing nearly stops.
• A groundhog's life span is normally 6 to 8 years. Phil (as in Punxsutawney Phil) receives a drink of a magical punch every summer during the annual Groundhog Picnic, which gives him 7 more years of life.
• In 2001, Phil's prediction was shown live on the Jumbo Tron at Times Square in New York City making him the most famous groundhog EVER.

Unfortunately, good ol' prognosticator Phil woke up bright and early this morning and saw his beady little shadow. Looks like we are in for another six weeks of winter. No early spring for us. Information in this publication was taken from www.groundhog.org. Yes, folks, this is a real website. Some information was also taken from www.wiktionary.org (because with everyone contributing, we know we are getting to most reliable information). Have a happy groundhog day!