For Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FEBRUARY 2nd,  2012

If you can't see the Bright Side, polish the dull side

It's THURSDAY!  

GROUNDHOG DAY

Groundhog Day is celebrated in the U.S. each year on February 2nd. On this day in mid-winter, the groundhog awakens from a long winter's nap, and goes outside of his den to see if he sees his shadow. 

According to legend, if the groundhog sees his shadow, a sunny morning, there will be six more weeks of winter. He then returns to his den and goes back to sleep. If however, he does not see his shadow, cloudy days, he plays around outside of his hole for a while. If he does not see his shadow, spring is just around the corner.

The Groundhog's Day tradition comes from German roots. German immigrants brought the tradition with them from Germany. As they settled in hills of Pennsylvania, they began the tradition of using the Groundhog to predict the the arrival of Spring. The tradition is based upon Candlemas, the day that is the midpoint between Winter and Spring. A famous Candlemas poems goes:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

NEWS FROM HOME

Away in a meadow all covered with snow
The little old groundhog looks for his shadow
The clouds in the sky determine our fate
If winter will leave us all early or late

Don Halley

As we are to have some showers this morning I'm hoping that groundhog doesn't see his shadow, but we'll see....

It's been quiet days here at my house this week.  It was wonderful having a few sunny and warmer days and that has improved my outlook for sure.  I have to say that sunshine does make a difference. 

They say we are a foot below on our average snowfall here, but I'm sure we've made up for it in rain.  

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone!

PRAYER FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for God's protection of

our troops and HIS wisdom for their

commanders.

Lord, hold our troops in

your loving hands.

Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the

selfless acts they perform for us

in our time of need. I ask this in the

name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

AND bless our Police Officers, Firefighters

and Paramedics and EMT's

GOD BLESS YOU!

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I'm BURSTING at the seams with LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!! Love for you, Love for my family, Love for friends… basically love is flying in every direction and I usually have a hard time containing it!  I'm one of those people that wear their hearts on their sleeve for the world to see.

But, I have to say, I do not love winter.  Being as it is Groundhogs Day, we here are hoping that he won't see his shadow this year.  He'll hop back in his hole for 6 more weeks of winter if he does.  For those of us that have lived here for many years though, we all know that it really doesn't matter.  There are truly 6 more weeks of winter anyway.

I'm a little groundhog, it's my day.

Wake and stretch, go out and play.

Down in my burrow, down so deep,

Time to wake, from my long winter's sleep.

Grumble, grumble, scratch, scratch,

Grunt, grunt, yawn.

I'll eat my breakfast in your front lawn.

I'm a little groundhog, it's my day.  

Wake up and stretch, go out and play.

 Author Unknown 

Did you know: The groundhog sees his shadow 9 out of 10 times

There are in the end three things that last: faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love. 

Make Every Day Matter

COUNTING THE DAYS

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.  

Anthony J. D'Angelo

47 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

79 DAYS UNTIL CAMPING SEASON BEGINS

Keep looking ON THE BRIGHT SIDE of things.

 

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near…

Love,

ma