I’m like the February groundhog poking the head out.
My health remains severe. (It's a serious chronic condition that's previously landed me in a hospital and can't be healed, only managed .) However, I’ve begun to walk amongst the living, albeit as a zombie. So at this tender time, I offer no promises on the sustainability of my presence or quality of content from this befuddled loopy mind and fingertips.
Today a blip of energy ushers me in for the first time in a week to say hi to the peeps, a few of whom expressed concern or evidently missed me. Comforting that my presence and words here may matter so thank you!
Speaking of groundhogs, who here knows of Phil, the official prognosticator of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania? {show of hands}
Impress your friends with your knowledge. Or simply fill your head with useless trivia. Either way, some facts from the little critter's site:
Legend has it that Phil was named after King Philip. Before that, he was called Br’er Groundhog.
Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob was Feb. 2, 1887.
Phil is the only weather-forecasting groundhog. Others are mere impostors. Don’t listen to ‘em!
The gate at Gobbler’s Knob opens at 3 a.m. A bonfire, food and refreshments are available. (For those of you in an RV, there's parking.)
At sunrise, 7.30-ish, Phil pops out of his burrow in front of thousands of followers around the world. If he sees his shadow, it’s six more weeks of winter weather; if not, it’ll be an early spring.
The verdict is thusly rendered:
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
On Gobbler's Knob this glorious Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2009
Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators
Awoke to the call of President Bill Cooper
And greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths
After casting a joyful eye towards thousands of his faithful followers,
Phil proclaimed that his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers were World Champions one more time
And a bright sky above me
Showed my shadow beside me.
So 6 more weeks of winter it will be.
Were my ailment as shortlived …
Now off to circulate on Vox …
Barefoot Blogger 