Under a blanket of new snow

WHAT THE GROUNDHOG SEES by Donna Henes

Each year on February 2, the attention of the nation
is directed to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where
Ground Hog's Day is big business. Weather forecasters
and news reporters converge to stake out the burrows
of these furry hibernating creatures. Like gazing into
Bridgid's holy well, or the tunnel leading to the oracle
crypt, or Cere's explorations of the cave, in order to
ascertain the true prognosis of the coming of spring.
Though decidedly silly, Ground Hog's Day is a direct
and thriving descendant of age-old mid winter divinatory
practices. Will Phil, the ground hog, see his shadow?
Will spring come on time this year? Tune in tonight for
the eyewitness report.

OK. Now pay attention. This is how it works: if the ground
hog sees her shadow, it means that there are still six
more weeks of winter. If she doesn't see her shadow, it
means that spring is only six weeks away. So what is the
difference? There are always six more weeks of winter.
Spring is always six weeks away. That is why we mark the
day in the first place. To remind us that winter is half over.
To access our situation. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac,
by Ground Hog's Day you should still have half of your food
store and half of your fuel if you are going to make it through
the remainder of winter. And for us, I guess that means we
have to have half of our inner resources, patience and humor
intact to make it the rest of the way through the dark days of
winter.

Enjoy the rest of the dark period. Take advantage of the
slowness and introspection that it offers us.