It says on http://www.groundhog.org/ that today will be the 123rd trek to Gobbler's Knob for Phil's Official Prognostication. The website is all encompassing: there's a map of Punxsutawney (it is about a hundred miles northeast of Pittsburgh), the schedule of events (Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Groundhogs is at 10:00 a.m) and, of course, that the gates open at 3:00 a.m. This may be directed toward the tailgate crowd. I am unsure as I have never been to Groundhog World, or whatever is inside the gates that open at 3:00. a.m.Groundhog Day evolved from Candlemas Day. In the interest of harmony on the planet, it is in my best interest to say little about Candlemas Day. Inquiring minds want to know? Go to http://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterepiphany3.html and read as much as you can handle.
As small town festivals go, Groundhog Day has a lot of legs. There will be TV coverage across the universe, the talking heads will giggle as they try to remember if the groundhog seeing his shadow means six more weeks of winter, six less weeks of winter, six weeks until the bacchanal of St. Patrick's Day, or six weeks to the apocalypse.
John Madden will appear and sample deep fried gopher, roasted gopher, broasted gopher, toasted gopher and sasquatch gopher jerky. In keeping with the economic pall that is upon us, the National Zoo will rename their critter Gopher Broke. TNT will show 24 consecutive hours of Bill Murray in Groundhog Day.
Now, what you've all been waiting for, Quiz Time!
The groundhog is also known as
a. the woodchuck
b. the land beaver
c. the whistlepig
d. all of the above.
The correct answer appears at the end of today's post.
"D", as in "D end".
