 Groundhog day is just a fun-day. But every year I look forward to it. Oh, I know that the ending of winter has nothing to do with a rodent seeing his shadow, but just the same, I am always conscious of the status of the sun on that day. Here is a groundhog story from REAL LIFE:
When I was five, we lived far out in the country, in Northern Alberta, Canada. My dad was in the process of building on to the log shack where we lived. We were to have four additions to the family that winter. A family of four boys was coming to stay with us, adding to the one boy and four girls already in our family. So after Dad had the room only partly completed, he moved my two older sisters and me into the addition. We thought it was so much fun sleeping in this big room, where you could see the sky above the partly finished walls, and the ground on the side of the room where there was no floor. We talked and giggled late into the night, then fell asleep. Next morning I was the first of us girls to wake up. I rubbed my sleepy eyes and stepped out on to the floor. To my surprise, what should I see, but two beady eyes staring at me! I had never seen such a big "mouse" before, but I wasn't afraid, and the "mouse" must not have been, either. At least he didn't run away. I called out: "Daddy, come see the big mouse under my bed." Dad walked into the room, and there by my bed was this big rodent. "That's not a mouse," he said. That's a groundhog." I don't see too many groundhogs any more, but I will always remember that one. And here is my tribute to:-- The Groundhog
Come out, oh tired groundhog,
For February's come.
Please tell us, wise old groundhog
That winter now is done. Don't see your shadow, groundhog.
Don't run away and hide.
Please tell us spring is on its way,
Don't make us stay inside. Awake, oh lazy groundhog.
It's time to have some fun.
Come out, oh little woodchuck.
Let's frolic, play, and run. 
© Helen Dowd
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