By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Tweet this: Welcome to Groundhog’s Day!
Today is Groundhog’s Day. This is the one day of the year when the groundhog has notoriety. He’s famous in cartoon, 
legends, children’s stories, weather predictions, and just plain fun. This little furry creature is onstage before he crawls out of his cozy, underground burrow. Photographers and reporters are waiting to see if he sticks his head out of the ground. If the groundhog sees his shadow, then don’t put away the gloves and boots. If he doesn’t, then plan an early spring shopping trip.
Many are taking bets.
Stats show that the groundhog is 80% correct.
But where did all this start? According to www.groundhog.org, the official sighting began in 1887. But the myth dates back hundreds of years. “The groundhog tradition stems from beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christians in Europe, and for centuries the custom was to have the clergy bless candles and distribute them to the people.” They were tired of winter and needed a sign. 
Interesting read, and you can access the yummy history stuff here – www.groundhog.org/about/history
Living in Houston, we bypass the snow and ice. Frankly, anything below 70 degrees is cold to me . . . But I remember growing up in Ohio. Groundhog’s day was super important.
So why my emphasis on this tradition, other than today is the holiday? I want to give away two of my historical novels 
titled Journey of the Heart. Although re-titled, this is the first book I wrote! Thankfully, I was able to do a little editing first. But this story launched my writing career, and it is indeed special.
If you’d like to receive a personalized copy of Journey of the Heart, comment below about your Groundhog’s Day sentiments and be entered in a random drawing. Deadline Friday, 2-1-16 @ midnight CST.
Tweet this: Welcome to Groundhog’s Day!
Comments 22
It’s a fun diversion from the doldrums that come after January. Plus, it gave us a really fun movie with Bill Murray!
It really did – and he’s hilarious.
Didn’t hear whether he saw his shadow, but more winter or spring…I am gonna live for the moment! Thank you for making me think!!
I think it was an early spring – depends on what your local weather person claims. 🙂
Living in Pittsburgh, not far from Punxsutawney I have always loved Groundhog Day and I adore Phil for as long as I can remember. Usually I start the night before with the movie Groundhog Day. I usually make my own cards to send to friends. And on the special day I like to make a good dinner to celebrate. On my 50th birthday which is two days before, my sister and I went to Punxsutawney on Groundhog Day to celebrate both. We received invitations to meet members of the Inner Circle and be in the reserved section. Oh what fun! Want to go again!
Hi Tina, that sounds so fun!
I live less than an hour from Gobbler’s Knob and I just find all the hype hysterical. (I’ve never been there, but have talked to people who have.) I think the most hilarious thing that I have encountered was when my sister and I were on a bus trip one time with a bus company out of Punxsutawney, were in Indiana at a restaurant, and people passed the bus, tried to say Punxsutawney (which was on the side of the bus), couldn’t, then said…they’re from where the groundhog is from! Thanks for the giveaway for your book!
Hi Colleen, thanks for sharing the inside scoop – and for entering.
As I was growing up my parents always had the saying on Groundhog Day “Last one to get up out of bed is the groundhog!” That title was usually bestowed on me ;). I am reminded of this every Groundhog Day.
Hi Paula, how fun! So you must have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. 🙂
Silly as Groundhog’s Day may be, I find it a fun and hopeful change from the cold, wet blahs of January 🙂 Thanks so much for the opportunity to win your book!
Hi Suzanne, thanks so much for entering!
Since it cloudy all day long here, I hope the groundhog is right and we’ll have an early Spring!
Hi Ola, I hope so too!
Groundhog Day. Hmmm. I enjoy baking so longer winters serve a two fold purposes: aromas from the oven waft through the rooms and gently warms my home in the areas most used during the day.
Hi Linda, that makes me hungry!
I’ve always found it funny that a groundhog can predict when Spring will arrive! But it’s fun to see him on TV when they read the official scroll 🙂
Thank you for the chance to win your new/old book “Journey of the Heart”, it’s one I’ve been looking forward to!
Hi Trixi, I agree, Groundhogs predicting spring is a strange tradition. Thanks for entering the contest!
Every year we watch the Groundhog Day movie. It just wouldn’t be the same without it.
Hi Barbara,
That movie is incredibly funny!
I look forward to Groundhog’s day hoping the outcome will be for spring to come early. I live in Minnesota and today we are getting hit with a snowstorm.
Thanks, Wendy, you’re in the drawing!