It is that long awaited day when we supposedly find out if the brrrrrrr cold of winter will continue or if we can anticipate the warmer days of Spring.You surely know about Punxsutawney Phil, the famous 'Northern' Groundhog. But did you know that there is also a 'Southern Version'?
Yes, indeed.
General Lee, the Georgia Groundhog, nicknamed 'Beau', also predicts the weather!
Bottom line: If either Punxsutawney Phil and / or General Lee sees his shadow, winter will continue for 6 more weeks.
But, if either does not see his shadow, then winter will soon end and he leaves his burrow for the anticipated soon coming spring weather.
Hmmm. Interesting and perhaps two groundhogs are needed since the weather patterns in the North and South are often different.
Indeed, folks in the south are already seeing a few signs of spring. So perhaps, as is often the case, General Lee will have a different 'take' on the weather than Punxsutawney Phil.
But we digress, back to the 'special day' in question, that of Groundhog day.
Alas this is another pagan celebration apparently brought to the Americas by early settlers from Europe in the 1700s.
The General Lee Groundhog of Georgia site tells about the pagan beginnings and about General Lee, the 'Southern Version' of Punxsutawney Phil. HERE'S THE LINK
And to find out more about Punxsutawney Phil, affectionally known as “Phil” for obvious reasons (spelling no doubt), and the results for each year since 1887, HERE'S THE LINK
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