A day I don't understand

I don't get Groundhog Day.

All right, I realize I can easily go online and research the history and significance of February 2 in American and Canadian culture.  (How many of you knew that Canada also participates in Groundhog Day?  I did.)  But what's the point?

OK, so if the groundhog sees his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter; however, if he doesn't see his shadow, "spring will soon be here".  Ohhh kaaayyyyyyy...... well, I hate to confound people, but the start of spring is forty-seven days from Groundhog Day anyway..... which is SIX WEEKS, FIVE DAYS!!!!  So all of this is over five freaking days?

Methinks the traditional, Pennsylvania German American  motif of Groundhog Day is way bogus.   And besides, in that little town in Pennsylvania they have so many stupid TV cameras there that the damn groundhog always sees it's shadow!  And what of the groundhog three burrows over?  What if he/she doesn't see their shadow?  Are it's weather prognostication abilities in any way inferior?  I think not.

However, I personally dig the much more contemporary interpretation of Groundhog Day.  That is, the term "Groundhog Day" as a feeling of acute deja vu.  This feeling is of course referencing the film "Groundhog Day".  Now that interpretation I can get into!

Anyway, my plans for commemorating Groundhog Day include having lunch with a really good friend of mine at a little Korean restaurant.  And totally ignoring any coverage of groundhogs seeing their shadow, or lack thereof.

Comments

[annathema]

I prefer to look past the silliness of the Groundhog tradition, and think of it as a celebration of the passage of time, and recognition of the seasons. In astronomical terms, Groundhog's day is a cross-quarter day - midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Having some kind of celebration on this date makes a lot of sense to me, and ok, one way to do it is to look forward to spring as the days get longer and wonder how long it'll take to feel warm and start the planting. Asking a groundhog may be silly, but it's fun and doesn't require a lot of cooking or present-giving, since we're all tired from shoveling snow.

[annathema]

You inspired me to wax on a bit in my own post about Groundhog's Day.

http://annethologie.blogspot.com/2011/02/winter-is-over.html