Love The Groundhog!

Groundhog Hole

 Groundhog Day has become a very special day for me as I have aged.  I enjoy winter less and less.  Lately, as I am indoors, I don't feel the emotional pressure for the advent of spring like I used to.

I was out on Sunday taking my trash to curb and my neighbor walked over to say, Hi!"  She observed that she had seen two dandelions blooming as she walked across my yard.  I immediately asked what I should do.  I'm exceedingly conscious that my neighbors want me to keep them, the dandelions, at bay so they won't propagate in neighboring yards.  As the conversation progressed, she mentioned that she had heard spring bird sounds.  I recollected hearing the same sounds previously but without the joy in my heart I previously experienced.  I was grateful for her visit since I was able to catch up on the neighborhood gossip.  Secretly, I was relieved that I am not in trouble about the dandelions.   It was nice to talk to you, Marleen.

I remember that Groundhogs were hated varmints on the farm where I grew up.  Father tried to eradicate them from digging under the Trobridge barn undermining the foundation.  I remember seeing a groundhog while plowing beans near that barn.  I grabbed a wrench out of the toolbox, and hit the ground running.  My tractor was closer to the ground than present day tractors which have cabs.  It was quite a chase but I think I had more stamina and after several misses throwing the wrench, he turned to face me.  He snarled, showing his teeth.  He did this over the wrench making me afraid to pick it up.  I think that I ran toward him, this might be likened to a "shoot fake" in basketball.  He flinched first and backed off.  I picked up the wrench and did the dastardly deed.  I have friends who are animal rights activists and I suppose that I should apologize to them for this act.  The world was a different place back then.  We knew nothing of sexual harassment.  It was more, the survival of the fittest.

Groundhog, AKA Marmota  monax

The only pleasant thought I can muster for the groundhog is groundhog day.  I suppose that I am more than a little ambivalent about the groundhog because he/she has let me down with the GD prognostication more that once.  I think my feelings toward him may have moderated since I don't get out much anymore.  I, like Marlene, am looking forward to spring but realistically I don't think it will come until some time after March 21st.

Happy Groundhog Day, everyone!

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