GROUNDHOG

Today is Groundhog Day. I really do hate Groundhog Day. Mostly because - statistically - 90% of the time, that lousy groundhog sees his shadow, which means six more weeks of dreaded winter.

The legend of Groundhog Day is based on an old Scottish couplet: "If Candlemas Day is bright and cliear, there'll be two winters in the year." So, every February 2nd, people gather at Gobbler's Knob, a wooded knoll just outside Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Residents contend that the groundhog has never been wrong.

It began in 1887 and all the way up until 1966, the ceremony in Punxsutawney was held in secret and the groundhog, named Phil, had his prediction revealed to the public. Since then, Phil's forecast has been a national media event. He comes out of his electrically heated burrow, looks for his shadow and gives his prediction to the world.

If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, it means spring is just around the corner.

So we're buckling in for more snow and more cold and more clouds and more overcast. Sorry to have a bad attitude about it. I nominate Steve, the Coyote as the new arbiter of winter.

And be blessed.