Groundhog Phil Saw his shadow

 Punxatawney Phil is a PA tradition.  The movie Groundhog Day, made the tradition  known to those who live elsewhere in the country. 

thisd year Facebiook is flooded with hil posts.  Everyone wants to get in on the legend.  I grew up knowing about him.  But Feb 2 was also Mom's birthday and we used to ask her if she saw her shadow.  Well every year I am curious what he has to say and this year it was not good news.

BREAKING: Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and called for six more weeks of winter. He is now fleeing the scene on foot. Some of the posts show bears chasing Phil, another has a wolf right after him, and others show Phil arrested.

Even here on the MN WI border, people think they have a groundhog, but none replace Phil. The rest are just wanna be's.

Even my SIL a CA born and raised who lives in Denver now sent me a text with Phil on it. Kind of amusing to those of us who are long with this tradition.

These facts were taken from an interesting FB page I follow, PA Thing:

Did You Know? 10 Facts About Punxsutawney Phil

1. Phil is “over 100 years old.”

According to legend, he drinks a magical “elixir of life” every summer that adds seven more years to his lifespan.

2. His predictions go back to the 1880s.

Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney was first officially observed in 1886, and the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club formed in 1889.

3. The tradition comes from Europe.

The shadow legend is based on an old European weather belief tied to Candlemas, later brought to Pennsylvania by German immigrants.

4. Phil has seen his shadow far more often than not.

Historically, Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter much more frequently than an early spring.

5. There are missing years in his record.

Phil’s prediction was not recorded for nine different years for unknown reasons.

6. Phil has no known offspring (until recently).

For most of his history, Phil was said to have no descendants at all.

7. His favorite food is dandelion leaves.

Especially in early spring, dandelions are reportedly his meal of choice.

8. Phil is much larger than a normal groundhog.

He reportedly weighs about 18 pounds in fall and measures roughly 22 inches long.

9. A baby groundhog is called a “kit.”

In the spring of 2024, Phil’s wife Phyllis gave birth to twins named “Sunny” and “Shadow.”

10. Phil is Pennsylvania’s most famous animal.

He has his own club, his own library, and a world-famous ceremony held every year at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney.

The explanation of this photo of Phil included that he was arrested while trying to flee but just dug himself in deeper. (That's a take on his heritage, groundhogs burrow in for winter.

Just one last mention about Snow Moon

 This from something I folow on FB,  it's a PA thing...

The February “Snow Moon” Has Deep Winter Roots

The Snow Moon reaches peak illumination tonight, February 1, 2026, at 5:09 p.m. EST, but it will already look full to the naked eye tonight, Saturday, January 31. This year’s Snow Moon is also a micromoon—the only one of 2026—appearing about 10–14% smaller than average because it’s near the farthest point in its orbit from Earth.

Where the names come from:

Snow Moon – First recorded by Captain Jonathan Carver in the 1760s, this name reflects February’s reputation as the snowiest month in much of North America.

Hungry Moon – Used by the Cherokee and other tribes, it refers to the scarcity of food during late winter, when hunting was difficult and stored supplies ran low.

Bald Eagle Moon (Eagle Moon) – Attributed to the Cree people, marking the season when eagles begin returning or nesting.

Groundhog Moon – Linked to certain Algonquin traditions, anticipating the stirrings of groundhogs as winter slowly begins to loosen its grip.

So when you look up at tonight’s moon, you’re seeing more than just a bright winter sky—it’s a full moon shaped by centuries of seasonal observation and survival wisdom.

February 2026 , Story about the snow moon

 

Tday another spot on weather forecast, the snow as promised.  I am more than tired of this winter and the whiteness, but there is hope.  The weather forcast indicates some improvement after this week and already being 21 degrees is better than the sub-zero dips we've endured.  But as I posted on Facebook earlier, "here we go again."  There wasn't much snow maybe 1 1/2-2 inches.  I waited till the flurries quit then took the blower out.  Despite the snow being light it was freezing in spots so the blower didn't clear all of it and the cloudy day made it feel worse out there than it was.  After about 30 minutess I was done for this time, the blower battery had run out and although I have another to switch too while it recharges, I quit.  I didn't do a completee clear, leaving some in the driveway and not getting the shovel to clear areas that stuck.  Enough for me for today.  

This is the driveway,  with remnants of snow.  There is a possibility of flurries later, that will likely coat it again.  Since I am not going anywhere today I'm not too concerned.  And maybe later my friend will be here and take care of it.  If not, there's always tomorrrow and if we have sunhine that will help.  Much as I have dis;oled this winter, I knw it could beworse.  Those living in the middle parts of the country have had snow surprises, power outages,downed trees and their homes are not built for winter weather.  Last night another storm hit the Carolinas.

The front walk would look better if I scraped it clear.  I have had to resort to using icemelt this year and I hate how the stuff lingeers and affects the walks.  Sometimes it gets a slushy mess and worse, sometimes it refreezes before thawing, another messy situation.  But it's cleared enough for me for now.  

I saw something interesting on Facebook.  Lately I've been staying away from FB, just too tiresome.  But this caught my eye,  this month, February 2026 is bvery different, something that only happens every 823 years.  There are 4 complete weeks, 4 Sundays, Mondays, TTuesdays, Wednesdays, Thirsdays , Fridays and Saturdays.  This phenomena is called a "Miraclein" a term I've never heard before.  l looked at my calendar, I still keep a paper one on the kitchen cabinet wall, old school.  Sure enough a full 4 weeks. But i Googled the word "miraclein" and learned this is not true, " It is not a real calendar phenomenon. In reality, every non-leap year February has exactly four of each weekday because 28 days divide perfectly into four weeks."     Cannot believe everything that turns up on Facebook or online.  

Other interesting Facebook today were posts about the snow moon, Indian legends.  Tonight we are to have what is known as the snow moon.  I know the moon was bright last night after mass.  Don't know if I'll be able to see much tonight as it is so cloudy.  But here's the legend and photos.  Kind of spiritual.:

"On Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 5:09 p.m. EST, the Snow Moon rises into fullness—quiet, steady, and patient, just like winter itself.      This is not a loud moon.

It does not rush.      It does not demand.      It arrives wrapped in cold air and stillness, reminding us that even in the hardest season, light continues its journey. 

Our ancestors watched this moon when snow was deep and food was scarce.

They understood: this was a time for endurance, prayer, and care for one another.   

         The Snow Moon teaches us:   

Even when the land sleeps, spirit stays awake.  Even when paths are buried, purpose remains.       Even when breath shows in the cold, life is strong.       For several nights, this moon will appear full—hovering over frozen rivers, silent forests, and quiet homes—whispering:

“You are still here.

                       You are still walking.

             You are still becoming.”

 Let this moon be a moment of reflection.   Stand outside if you can.  Feel the cold on your face.        Look up.      Offer gratitude for what you’ve survived.  Release what no longer serves you.     Gather strength for what is coming.

 Because after the Snow Moon, the days grow longer.  The rivers remember how to move.  The seeds remember how to rise.

 And so do you.  Ekosi.   And so it continues."

A winter Moon worth looking up for! This evening, February’s Snowy Moon reaches peak brightness, washing heavens in crisp, silver shine. It was titled by early Indigenous peoples for February’s heavy snowfall, and this full lunar phase lands in winter’s core and feels timed for it too today again.

 In open weather, the moon can be seen across the globe and will rest within the stars of Cancer. Scan the nearby darkness as well, because close by you might catch Regulus, a bright blue white star called the Lion’s Heart in Leo, adding extra sparkle to the view above tonight if clouds decide to cooperate.  Walk out, pause a moment, and take in this quiet, timeless lunar scene.

Hunkering inside today

 Just a couple more tundra arctic pics.  These are  taken from my bedoom window which has a screen on, so there's some darkness.  It is sunny and bright but still sub zero.  So much for all that blathering we used to hear about global warming.  Suddenly the noise has gone away.  -12 degrees at Noon.

Weather Woes January 2026

 

8:00 AM  Jan 23 -19 degrees

This morning at 8:00AM from my front living room window, all was very still,  it was -19 degrees when I got up.  This is the most brutal, polar, arctic winter I have ever experienced .  Yet so far no new records set for this area.  I will not be going anywhere today, staying home where it's comfy and warm. Regretting living here in the tundra for now and that I am not someplace warmer.   Being a hermit is the only response to this weather.  By 11:15 AM the temperature was up to -13 degrees.  Sheesh.  I'll keep busy inside. 

 Earlier this week on my Facebook I shared a simi;ar view after I'd been out clearing the driveway and the front walk from snow using the blower.  I had done that about 9:00AM on January 21 and was feeling quite proud of myself.  

January 21 After clearing walk

Using the blower is so much easier than shoveling the snow.  The light snow is easy to clear that way.  So despite being bundled up at least I could get fresh air and accomplish something.  Yay for me. All done gby 10:00AM.  I started to just clear a path to push the recycle bin down to the street, then decided might as well clean it all up.

January 21  Proud of me

Yesterday I was not feeling the same way.  Although we had no new snowfall, the wind was blowing snow off the roof and lifting some from the ground, swirling it and redepositing it onto the driveway against the garage door and onto both steps and entries in front.  Other days I had mentioned it has been like living inside a snowglobe that someine keeps shaking.  That swirling and relocating the snow was far worse.  As soon as it deposited the snow, it glazed over into ice.  Neither the bloer nor the shovel moved it off my front entries.  Finally I got the idea to use an old push broom.  That allowed me to at least clear the entries and steps again.  I shoved the snow off.  The buid up aling the garage door can stay there.  Yesterday just walking down the driveway to get the mail I fought the wind to stay upright, it wanted to swoop me up and away.  

Wednesday Jan 21 10:00AM Cleared driveway

January 22 snow blown onto walk again

Anyway it has been a siege.  I am gratful for a warm home and that I don't have to go out in this below arctic.  I can't wait till we get some thawing.  The coming week is to be cold, temps likely only reaching 12 or 15 degrees.  But no more snow is forecast.  C'mon spring.