Punxatawney Phil

**davidpizzica** · 02-02-2010, 08:34 AM

Old Punxatawney Phil saw his shadow again this morning. So that means six more weeks of winter for us (as if we didn't know it already!). Did any of the other groundhog predictors not see their shadows?

**Momto4FemaleFelines** · 02-02-2010, 08:40 AM

Gee, I don't know how he saw his shadow...I've been up since 7:15am Eastern US time and am not far from Philadelphia, though I'm not sure where Phil does his shadow thing...I never pay attention to the "seeing the shadow thing". But, it's been nothing but cloudy here all morning!
I have a ground hog around my property(probably more than one) but I haven't seen him/her/then in a while.

**Queen of Poop** · 02-02-2010, 08:41 AM

Our Canadian groundhog also saw his shadow. Guess winter's here to stay for a while yet.

**davidpizzica** · 02-02-2010, 08:52 AM

One good thing, I didn't see one PETA (ugh!) protester in sight!

**davidpizzica** · 02-02-2010, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Momto4FemaleFelines

Gee, I don't know how he saw his shadow...I've been up since 7:15am Eastern US time and am not far from Philadelphia, though I'm not sure where Phil does his shadow thing...I never pay attention to the "seeing the shadow thing". But, it's been nothing but cloudy here all morning!
I have a ground hog around my property(probably more than one) but I haven't seen him/her/then in a while.

Pat, Phil does his predictions in Punxatawney, Pa, which is about 60 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, Pa.

**Kirsten** · 02-02-2010, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by davidpizzica

Old Punxatawney Phil saw his shadow again this morning. So that means six more weeks of winter for us (as if we didn't know it already!). Did any of the other groundhog predictors not see their shadows?

You mean, he really exists? I may sound kinda stupid now, but I thought this was only a story made up for a Hollywood movie?

LOL

Kirsten

**Cataholic** · 02-02-2010, 10:42 AM

I thought if he saw his shadow it meant ONLY 6 more weeks of winter, which is a good thing. Did I send my child to school this am with wrong folklore?

**davidpizzica** · 02-02-2010, 10:50 AM

Kirsten, Phil has been a tradition here in western Pennsylvania for over a century. According to records, Phil has seen his shadow 93 times, he has not not seen it (I think) 14 times, and 9 times it wasn't recorded. It's a real tradition and unofficial holiday!

**Kirsten** · 02-02-2010, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by davidpizzica

Kirsten, Phil has been a tradition here in western Pennsylvania for over a century. According to records, Phil has seen his shadow 93 times, he has not not seen it (I think) 14 times, and 9 times it wasn't recorded. It's a real tradition and unofficial holiday!

Wow, that is cool!

Were is predictions always correct?

Kirsten

**Sirrahsim** · 02-02-2010, 11:49 AM

Copied from http://www.teachervision.fen.com/gro...nts/31829.html
The groundhog is another name for a woodchuck. According to legend, the hibernating groundhog comes out of its burrow on February 2. If it sees its shadow, it gets frightened and scurries back into its burrow. This means six more weeks of winter. If it's cloudy and the groundhog does not see its shadow, it does not get frightened, and stays outside. This means a mild spring. February is also a breeding time for the groundhogs, so that may have something to do with why they surface from their burrow.

**Cataholic** · 02-02-2010, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Sirrahsim

Copied from http://www.teachervision.fen.com/gro...nts/31829.html
The groundhog is another name for a woodchuck. According to legend, the hibernating groundhog comes out of its burrow on February 2. If it sees its shadow, it gets frightened and scurries back into its burrow. This means six more weeks of winter. If it's cloudy and the groundhog does not see its shadow, it does not get frightened, and stays outside. This means a mild spring. February is also a breeding time for the groundhogs, so that may have something to do with why they surface from their burrow.

My poor son. A very unknowledgable mother, I am.

**lvpets2002** · 02-02-2010, 12:52 PM

This is Armadillo Day here in Tx.. He saw his shadow too..

**Queen of Poop** · 02-02-2010, 01:30 PM

So from what I've just read in the news, 3 out of 5 groundhogs have predicted 6 more weeks of winter. The two dissenters are the Alberta and Manitoba groundhogs. Guess we go with the consensus.

**momoffuzzyfaces** · 02-02-2010, 01:36 PM

He probably saw his shadow because of all the lights from the cameras. I can't understand why PETA has their knickers in a knot over this. Phil looked very happy and contented as he laid in the arms of the guy holding him. Probably amused himself looking at all the silly people making a fuss over him.