The first Groundhog Day was observed on this day in 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
“Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It’ll be spring soon. And the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they’ll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields… and eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
Somewhere in Pennsylvania a varmint is removed from a box and held high for all to see. There are those who believe that the varmint will predict weather patterns for the next six weeks. Six more weeks of winter, or spring is on the way.
Spring will arrive in six weeks, no matter what the varmint says.
Granted, Spring can still be cold. But the birds will be retuning. The jonquils will be peeking out of the ground.
Last night, the wife and I saw the touring production of Come From Away. It’s the award winning musical that tells what happened in a small town in Newfoundland when some thirty-eight planes and seven thousand people were diverted there with the airways were closed on 9/11/2001. A beautiful show that tells of the human spirit of compassion and giving, and a good bit of endurance.
Before the show we were trying to remember the last time we were at that theater. Sure, we’ve seen a lot of local productions. Well, before the pandemic we were seeing a lot of local productions. And we’ll be seeing a lot more in the coming weeks as theaters have returned.
Even with having to mask up and show our vaccination cards, it was good to be back.
It was good to remember that there are good people in this world.
It’s also good to remember that, regardless of what the rodent says, spring is coming.
1882 – James Joyce, Irish novelist, short story writer, and poet (d. 1941)
1905 – Ayn Rand, Russian-born American novelist and philosopher (d. 1982)
1937 – Tom Smothers, American comedian, actor, and activist
1947 – Farrah Fawcett, American actress and producer (d. 2009)
1949 – Brent Spiner, American actor and singer
1954 – Christie Brinkley, American actress, model, and businesswoman
WHAT I’M READING
BENEDICTION
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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Somewhere in Pennsylvania a varmint is removed from a box and held high for all to see. There are those who believe that the varmint will predict weather patterns for the next six weeks. Six more weeks of winter, or spring is on the way.
