Happy GROUND HOG DAY!

February is my favourite month by far!  It is the second month of the year and today is the second day of the second month and sure enough, it is Ground Hog Day.

Exactly what is a groundhog and why does it have a special day?

When I was a lot younger I thought that ground hog was something like ground beef, something that one ate in a meatloaf.  It turns out, I was wrong.  Now that I am a lot older I have the opportunity to check out the real thing virtually on Wikipedia:

Groundhog

Rodent

The groundhog, also known as a woodchuck, whistle-pig, or in some areas land-beaver, is a rodent of the family Sciuridae, belonging to the group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. Wikipedia

A groundhog in the summer!

So now you know.  A legend says that a groundhog will come out of its hibernation hole on February 2 (not sure how it knows the date-perhaps it has google calendar).  If it spies its shadow it becomes so frightened that it returns to its hole for at least six weeks, thus delaying Spring.  However, if the groundhog does not see its shadow then all is well with the world and Spring will be right around the corner. 

This morning we went outside before sunrise to shovel the accumulated 15 cm of snow.  Along came dawn but there were no shadows.  I believe that Spring will be upon us soon.  That is good news to an area of the world that endured weeks of sub zero temperatures, icy roads, whiteouts and snow days. 

I googled the phrase "Spring is right around the corner" and found this image:

The panel above demonstrates some people's opinion of the legend or tradition of Ground Hog Day.  That is not me...I am a believer! Happy half way to Spring!  Happy Ground Hog Day!!!

Until next time, 

Bee Rich

Happy Birthday to Bee!

That is me, second row, on the right.

          I was born in 1956. It was a good year.  It was an Olympic (Winter and Summer) year.  It was a Leap Year.  Mid-February- right when the blahs are the worst, I came into this world.  I am so thankful to have had 56 years here on Earth, in North America, in both the United States and Canada, a couple of years in Egypt, and a year in the Caribbean.  I call it my "diamond birthday"  born in '56 and turning 56!
         I remember my "golden birthday".  That is the birthday that I turned 13 on the 13th of February.  I turned into a teenager in 1969. Today I spent the day with teenagers.  Tomorrow, I am spending another day in another school with teenagers and it is Valentine's Day.  Should be FUN!
         Facebook messages have poured in from all over the world.  I feel so happy and blessed to have so many family members and friends who were able to take the time to say Happy Birthday!  It is truly amazing and somewhat humbling.  Thank you to everyone for your thoughtful words. 
         It is 2012.  It is a good year.  It is an Olympic (Summer only) year.  It is a Leap Year.  Mid-February-right when the blahs are the worst, I come home from work and my husband has dinner in the oven, wine on the table, and snacks put out for a celebration.  Neighbours arrive, food is eaten, wine is drunk, candles are lit and blown out, stories are told, and I smile.  I am blessed!

Until next time,


Bee Rich

Life as it should be!

I LOVE February!!!

Our Furry Forecaster!

       
          I am not sure why exactly, but I love the month of February.  Maybe it is because it is in the middle of winter, one of my favourite seasons and Spring is so much closer than in November.  It could also be because February is the shortest month of the year.
          I do enjoy the idea of Groundhog Day on February 2.  Did you know that originally Groundhog Day was Bear Day?  It is a know fact that the first animal to come out and see its shadow on a February 2 long ago was actually a bear, and if he/she saw his/her shadow, he/she would be frightened back in to hibernation for another six weeks.  But, if that bear did not see its shadow, then Spring would be right around the corner.  I guess Groundhog Day sounds so much better than Bear Day, and of course groundhogs are much easier to handle, so in several places across North America, sleepy groundhogs are woken up to predict the seasonal swing time.
          Another reason why I love February is that lovey-dovey day found smack in the middle of the month (except for during Leap Year).  You guessed it! St. Valentine's Day.  I am not exactly sure who St. Valentine was and what he did to become a saint, but I am sure most North Americans will agree that this day is one of the most romantic days of the year.  It is a time when my husband showers me with flowers and chocolates and usually treats me to a wonderful dinner.  I enjoy this spoiling treatment and usually try to get him a cutie card with hearts all over it and tell him how much he means to me.
          Another reason for my heartfelt love of February is that it is my birthday month.  Every year I turn another year older and wonder, how many more of these will I be getting?  I am thankful that the days rolls around each year and always feel special, even if no one else knows that it is "my day." I also have two special birthday buddies.  So if you are reading this, Anne Marie and Donita, have a happy birthday when it comes around.  I will certainly be thinking of you. 
          My final reason for loving February is that it has an inconsistent number of days.  This year, and once every four years, February gets an extra day.  I believe that this is really special.  I have even heard of people whose birthday is on February 29, so that they only have a "real" birthday once in four years.  Confusing, eh? Do you know why we have Leap Year Day once every four years (just like the Summer Olympics)? It is because it takes the Earth 365 and 1/4 days to travel around the sun. The extra day during February every four years helps the calendar to keep in time with our planetary revolution.
          Forget about the February Blahs. February has always been and will always be my favourite month of the year.  I hope that it brings much happiness to you, too!

Until next time,


Bee Rich