Monday, February 02, 2009

Pennsylvania is a happenin' place!


Hey Gang! It's a great day here in Pennsylvania! If you haven't heard, the Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl last night-although they waited till the end to close the deal. Even though Dad and Mom aren't football fans, they watched it after taking me for a run over the non-icy, mud covered fields. When Mom toweled me off she was afraid she was wiping my brown off when she saw the color of the formerly white rag. Anyway, it was a good game with alot of excitement. (I like the way Mom and I play better. She plays quarterback and tosses it to me and I try to take it past her to the end zone which I might add happens alot. But then I take it back to her again to start it all over again. Simple. Easy. No referees needed.)

But the bestest thing happenin' in PA is already taking place in Punxsutawney. Of course, I'm talking about Groundhog Day!

And the prediction is: Groundhog predicts 6 more weeks of winter. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this tradition I've copied a few frequently asked questions here for ya;

1. Yes! Punxsutawney Phil is the only true weather forecasting groundhog. The others are just impostors.
2. How often is Phil's prediction correct? 100% of the time, of course!
3. How many "Phils" have there been over the years? There has only been one Punxsutawney Phil. He has been making predictions for over 120 years!
4. Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking the "elixir of life," a secret recipe. Phil takes one sip every summer at the Groundhog Picnic and it magically gives him seven more years of life.
5. On February 2, Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler's Knob - in front of thousands of followers from all over the world - to predict the weather for the rest of winter.
6. According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.
7. No! Phil's forecasts are not made in advance by the Inner Circle. After Phil emerges from his burrow on February 2, he speaks to the Groundhog Club president in "Groundhogese"(a language only understood by the current president of the Inner Circle). His proclamation is then translated for the world.
8. The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania's earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day, which states, "For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May..."
9. Punxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler's Knob was made on February 2, 1887.
10. So the story goes, Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip. Prior to being called Phil, he was called Br'er Groundhog.

So all that to say, Pennsylvania is where it's happenin' baby!!
**Of course, I have a somewhat selfish reason for Phil to come out of his hole. No matter what his prediction, the fact that he comes out of his hole is an assurance that all his relatives are soon to follow. And my word to all you groundhogs is:

Woofs and slobbers!
Chester

13 comments:

Kris10 said...

Hey Chester what's your record from last year with those ground hogs? I bet you'll do better this year. I am up to about 15 (but that's stuffed toys).

- Boz

Team 4 Dawg Flite said...

Chester, personally I think you are much more handsome that that short, fat, stumpy ground hog! We just got in from our dock diving event in Louisville at 1:00 a.m. So I'm just now getting caught up on all my blog reading. Congrats to your Steelers. My mom and dad listened to the game as we drove home. Spud, Hoppy and I slept, but I woke up for updates on the score. Love, Sally

Chester said...

Hey Kris10-my grand total for my first adult spring was a whopping 33!! Maybe Bos-dog would like to come over and I'll show him my hunting technique!

Team 3Dawg Flight-thank you for the compliment. I am anxiously awaiting updates on how you did in Louisville. I bet you are all a bunch of tired pups!

Life With Dogs said...

Major congrats to our PA friends - it was a well deserved win!
I don't care what Phil says, we won't see spring until June :(

Paco,Milo, Maya and mommy Simona said...

WOOOOWWWWW Chester!!!!
we don't known this tradition...thanks for sharing with us!!!
it sounds like a great moment...wish to be with you!!!
hope that spring will arive asap!!!!
we're submerged by snow!!!!!
Lots of love and kisses
have a great week

Stella said...

Go get 'em, Chester. Think of all the fun you will have siccing those big rats!

Kisses,
Stella

Anonymous said...

Hi Chester! Congrats on the Superbowl win! We watched it and it was very exciting, though it might have been more exciting if my dad had dropped some of his chips. That groundhog sure is a funny little guy!

See ya!
Joey

Mason Dixie said...

PA is definitely a happening place with such a happening Chester. ;X

Mason Dixie said...

Oh and I am a firm believer of Phil. he knows his stuff.

Dughallmor Beagles said...

Haha, the last pic is a peach! Our Mum hopes Phil's prediction is not worldwide, personally, we love the white stuff....we had a light dusting yesterday and could do with six more weeks of it- bring it on!
We got our calendar from Nigel yesterday too, cool!
Congrats to Steelers fans :o)
Slobbers, oh chocolate one xx

Ms. ~K said...

Hey Chester,
We have a prognosticating Groundhog in Georgia too-General Beauregard Lee (what a redneck name)...He said,"Early Spring!"
Since we love snow and haven't had any this winter, we're hoping Phil is correct!
But we see dead groundhogs in the road all the time, so we don't think they are too smart!
Congrats to Steelers!
Licks and sniff,
Zack, Sassy and Buddy

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Hey Chester. You brother sure does look like Gus..
Ground Hog Day always reminds Mom of the movie where it is played over and over again..
Stop by again real soon.
Chester you are one handsome devil..

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Life is good in Koda's World said...

Hi Chester! Mom and Dad just took me to Pittsburgh a couple weeks ago. Where are you guys from? I attended my first superbowl game ever this past weekend, even though I had no idea what was going on I had a good time. Talk to you soon!

Licks,
Koda

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...