For Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

FEBRUARY 2ND, 2013

46 DAYS UNTIL SPRING

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

It's  SATURDAY

GROUNDHOG DAY

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. This tradition is big on an otherwise cold and dreary mid-winter's day.

According to legend, if the groundhog sees his shadow, 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, spring is just around the corner.

The Groundhog's Day tradition comes from German roots.  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.

Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is the site of a very popular annual Ground Hog event.  And it's there that groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, predicts just how long winter will last. There are a few other predictors around the country, but they all pale in comparison to Phil's ability to predict the remainder of winter.  Phil sees his shadow about 9 out of 10 times

The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it.  

Patrick Young

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears.  

Bill Vaughn

Today's pictures are of a sunny snowy day here not so very long ago.  You can see how the sun casts some long shadows across the ground this time of year.  Who knows maybe there is a groundhog lurking somewhere close by.  We have on occasion seen them in the backyard. 

I figure I've got about 6 more weeks of staying indoors and keeping warm here.  When the nice weather comes, there won't be much time at all spent inside the house.  I'll want to be outside enjoying the sunshine.  6 more weeks to get all that needs doing here, so I'd best get busy.

Have a super Saturday everyone!

COUNTING MY GIFTS

Appreciation can make a day--even change a life, Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.

Margaret Cousins

I am trying to count at least 3 things I'm thankful for each day and then in 1 year's time I'll have counted 1000 gifts.

I’ll be sharing them and giving thanks to God for these gifts each day,

237. for only 6 more weeks of winter

238. for warm thoughts on a cold day

239. for holidays that make us SMILE

Enter into His courts with thanksgiving — and in His presence is fullness of Joy!

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 ALL !

 

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.  

Maori Proverb

 

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

Love,

ma