Happy Groundhog Day

Well here it is, another Groundhog Day here and (almost) gone.

We didnt get the worst of the huge storm that tore across the middle of the country; just some snow, a bit of sleet (I think) and now some wind to top things off....pretty typical February weather for central New York state.

So I hear Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, which I believe means he stayed out of his den for a bit....meaning spring is just around the corner, which is a good thing considering I happened to see about 6 Robins in a tree last week and my bull is about 20% rubbed off already....which IS early if you ask me.

But I am ready; getting tired of bedding the barn every night, stumbling over frozen turds hidden under the snow...dragging 200 feet of garden hose out of my basement to water the animals....and then dragging it BACK in when finished....

Here is a little poem I found online when doing some research (!) on Groundhog Day...thought it was kinda applicable to us farmer folks...

As the light grows longer
the cold grows stronger

If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight

If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again.

A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay

On Candlemas day if thorne hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop.

from an English poem;

Candlemas is another name for this holiday and stems from the Catholic church. There is ALOT of folklore and history and calender stuff that all gets tied in with Groundhog Day...really too much for me to write about here; originating in the 18th and 19th centuries as ancient European weather LORE; Pagan festivals and Celtic calenders, equinoxes and all sorts of things.....it began in this country as a Pennsylvania German custom...

So...lets all hope Phil is right, and spring IS just around the corner! Sure wouldnt guess by todays weather though!

May your barns be half full....