Day 364
Happy is the rodent who predicts an early spring …
Well, I don’t know if the rodent is happy … but I sure am!
Today is Groundhog Day … the best holiday on the calendar. Nothing sacred, nothing commercial, just folly and gaiety surrounding a rodent’s ability to predict the future/weather. Now how much fun is that?!
I am pretty sure my kids and I have seen the movie Groundhog Day a handful of times … each. Today there is a marathon going on some channel with back-to-back showings of it. All I have to say is … “Ned? Ned Ryerson?” FABULOUS!
I laugh just thinking about it.
And I know some people don’t “get” that movie. I think it’s far deeper than most people think and they just see the repetition and don’t “get” that Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is given such a gift … to live his life over and over and over and over again … until he gets it right!
There are certainly days in each of our lives when our head hits the pillow and we say, “Oh man, I’d like a do-over on that one.” In the movie the main character gets that chance … and in doing so changes his life and the lives of those around him. He relives one day, Groundhog Day, again and again, all the while figuring out what really is important … love, friendship, helpfulness, caring, joy, laughter … without it taking him his whole life to figure it out. I think it’s lovely.
I classify this movie/day with one of those comfort things in life … you know what to expect … you know the ado is pomp, silliness and fabulous fun. Experiencing the Groundhog Day festivities is on my “bucket list”. I mean, really, how often do guys dress up in tuxedos to laud any other animal? I don’t see anyone dressing up for a gazelle or an ox or a lion … just the lowly, darling-faced, chubby, gnawing groundhog known as “Punxsutawney Phil”.
And here’s the low-down on him … “Phil” is a groundhog (Marmota monax) which is also known as a land-beaver, whistle-pig or woodchuck. (How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?) Actually, a groundhog is part of the large family of ground squirrels more commonly known as marmots. Their size can be anywhere up to 2 feet long and they can weigh up to 9 pounds. They live mostly in the middle, eastern and northern regions of the United States and all over Canada.
These rodents typically live 2-3 years in the wild (but can survive up to six years) and in captivity they can live as long as 14 years! So, here’s hoping “Phil” has a long and happy life ahead of him in his home in PA. These cute critters are mostly herbivorous, eating plants, nuts and berries and getting their water intake from leafy greens … but are also known to eat bugs and small animals. Much like the familiar prairie dogs they sit outside their burrows and watch for danger and alert their fellow colony members by emitting a high-pitched whistle … hence the name whistle-pig.
And unfortunately, for me, they are also highly aggressive – so my dreams have been dashed in regards to snatching up a lost and lonely groundhog while driving around and bringing him home as a pet.
In any case … thanks “Phil” for the uplifting pronouncement.
It’s currently snowing but I don’t care … happy is ME who has heard the prediction of an early spring!