The “Marmota monax” saw the light today

I have living proof that Spring is not far away. This is a very Canadian thing by the way… but living proof.

In many parts of North America today conflicting reports are coming this morning – the Groundhog – an over stuffed muff of an animal that inhabits many areas of our hemisphere – came out of its hole or habitat. If it sees its shadow we will get 6 more weeks of winter.

In our Canadian setting the most famous is Wiarton Willie – an albino groundhog – that came out today and saw his shadow. That means of course that we will have about another 42 days of winter.

Yesterday and today we had a break in our over cast and very cold weather… the sunshine broke out. And with that break out there is a definite change in the events around us. Our people do some strange things.

At a local Tim Hortons a teenager rode up to the building in his shorts and a winter jacket. Darn – no camera when the best shots could happen.

An email confirmed today that spring is just around the corner. “Brenda” came out of her winter lair to enjoy the sunshine. Here she is in full colour with her coffee mug in hand and a big smile.
Brenda you are my hero! You are far more accurate than Wiarton Willie. You are also brave in that Wiarton Willie was pulled from his cage for the cameras to shoot him. You willingly came outside for over an hour.

I am thinking now that a once-a-week coffee party in some snow bank will help. It is something to look forward to and great fellowship with a “cup of joe”.

So – my fellow Canadians – here it is… MY PREDICTION based on my friend Brenda’s willingness to help all of us. 6 or 8 weeks doesn’t matter to us. Hearty Canadians unite – step out in the cold and wave your mug skyward. “Here is to good fellowship and a good pair of long underwear… WE ARE C-A-N-A-D-I-A-N-S!”

As one of the articles points out, the groundhog likely comes out for other reasons that are not as easy to write about. Given the right amount of light, climate and the fact that they have been indoors for a long time – they come out to mate. Ahemmm. But that is another story for another time!

~ Murray Lincoln ~

Source:
http://www.thestar.com/Unassigned/article/580743
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog