By Ralphine Major

It is the day set aside to gauge the coming of spring.  February 2 is the long-awaited day marked as “Groundhog Day” on most calendars.   Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is the star woodchuck on February 2.  It is a special event as the nation waits for the groundhog to emerge from his burrow.  If the groundhog sees his shadow, it is six more weeks of winter.  If no shadow, then winter is over.

Groundhogs are fun creatures to watch.  They can often be seen standing on their two hind feet to better survey the area around them.  Whether standing on hind feet or all four, it seems they are constantly eating.  When spooked, they can scamper out of sight in a blink.  Many years ago, I saw an entire family of groundhogs that included four or five little ones.

At this writing, our nation is gripped by snow and extreme cold as Groundhog Day approaches.  Spring seems so far away.  Meteorologists with their computerized weather forecasting equipment predict that the frigid temperatures could soar into the 60-degree range over the next few days.  I have not seen a long-range forecast and am not sure when spring-like weather will finally arrive.  Still, it is fun to follow the movements of the legendary groundhog on Groundhog Day.  Just hope that he does not see his shadow!