Originally written by genebob on 2010-02-02 12:07 PM

Gard this question is mainly for you and the other PA people. "Do you people really believe that a woodchuck can determine when winter will end?"

When I showed up in this state three and a half decades ago, Phil's practice was well established. Apparently this sort has been happening since the late 1800's. Do I believe? I believe that the only logical reason for the occasion is to help the coffers of PXTWY, PA. (Don't ask me to spell the town's name!) Since he's only batting a mid thirties accuracy rate, depending on him is a bit like studying the Farmer's Almanac. Actually, our local weather forecasters can't look out the nearest window and accurately suggest the correct atmospheric conditions. Phil is probably doing a better job, than the Doppler radar and satellite assisted geniuses, that so poorly predict the future.

Since he is well over a century old now, I'm sure Alzheimers, cataracts and pure meanness have swayed his judgement. Now that PETA has established that his containment is torturous, and his life has only been hell on earth, how can any such living creature be depended upon?  When they made a movie based on his message, it wasn't even filmed in his home town, or for that matter, even in PA. Poor creature gets no respect from the media.

It's ironic that in spite of his misgivings, so many other places try to emulate his success. In PA he is held up in full regalia, and announced to the world in all his splendour, with his handlers stroking, petting his luxurious fur, and treating him as a monarch.

Mayor Bloomberg this morning, raised his wannabe, with heavy welding gloves protecting his hands. His disdainful look, and imploring search for someone to relieve him of that living fur ball, said that he wished he were some place else having a stiff drink.

Phil said we will have 6 more weeks of winter. That's pretty accurate. Unless there is an El or La Nina messing about, or Canada throws its weather south some more, the middle to the end of March usually marks the completion of the rough stuff. In April, often times we have snow that pulls the trees down, with too much weight on the new leaves.

Living in an heated and air conditioned luxury, Phil knows the score. He's been through it many times, and he's an old hand at making difficult decisions. Score one for the rodent.

Gard