[Dixielandjazz] Groundhog Hogwash!

[Don Ingle]

THE GROUNDHOG HAS LOOKED AND PREDICTED – THE LYING LITTLE RODENT
FROM THE INGLE BUNKER IN NO. MICHIGAN – It’s Groundhog Day and the lying 
little rodent has taken a peek outside, saw the piles of snow that had 
been dumped overnight, and went back into his cozy burrow to sleep in – 
an idea with much merit today.
According to legend, if this fat upgrade from a squirrel sees his shadow 
we’ll have six more weeks of winter. (ONLY six if we’re lucky, but we 
denizens of the forests and swamps of Northern Michigan know that it 
doesn’t matter if he does or doesn’t see his shadow, we’ll still be in 
it up to our aspirations for more than six weeks.
This is supposed to be a four-season state – but we find that there are 
only two seasons. If you live up north you know there are only Winter 
and Road Construction seasons.
It looked as if the brunt of the storm in terms of snowfall would stay 
to the southern-more parts of Michigan, from Grand Rapids south to 
Indiana and Ohio. But then we also have learned not to trust a 
weatherman’s TV prediction. Even groundhogs smirk at such mouthings. 
Frankly, any one who thinks they can predict the weather around the 
Great Lakes Country is either a fool or a liar. It is sometimes hard to 
tell the difference.
My car has 16 inches atop it this morning, the wind drifted snow now 
covers half the pole and bird feeder, the latter hangs at 4 ½ feet from 
the ground, and it hasn’t quite stopped snowing as of 10:35 a.m. EDST.
Fortunately we were prepared as experienced Jack Pine Savages always 
are. An extra load of firewood was laid in in case of power failure; 
fresh sets of batteries for radio and flashlight were stocked; Jean’s 
stock of candles renewed; pantry goods stocked with one dish type meals 
and veggies and fruit; and, with special caring and forethought, some 
extra bottles of a decent single malt and bottles of choice wines are 
there to take the sting out of winter.
So, Mr Groundhog, don’t let this national celebration of your psychic 
powers for determining winter weather’s end give you a big head. We of 
the Up North Survivors Brigade know far better how to predict when 
winter is over.
When our neighboring “snowbirds” return from Florida, Texas, Arizona and 
So. California – THEN WINTER IS OVER!

JAZZ CONTENT: “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow,” and “Snowy 
Morning Blues” (and thank you Mr. Johnson.)
Don Ingle