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Happy Groundhog Day to the people of Canada and USA, hope the day is not too cold!!!!!! It's freezing here in Cornwall, saw an icicle this morning, first one for a while......
Well did the Groundhog predict a early spring or will this winter weather continue?
Groundhog Day is celebrated each year on February 2 in USA and Canada. It was in 1887 that a group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney (PA) created the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. And as a result a groundhog was named 'Punxsutawney Phil' and declared an "official" weather-predicting groundhog. Each year since that time February 2nd has been a celebrated holiday and when a groundhog emerges from his burrow a weather predition is 'made'. If the weather is cloudy then spring will come early. However, if it is sunny then the groundhog will see his shadow and retreat back into his burrow, which is an indication that the winter weather will continue for another six weeks......
Statue of groundhog Wiarton Willie in Wiarton, Ontario
As we all know this day was seen in the 1993 film Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray and Andee MacDowell
And what did 'Punxsutawney Phil' predict this year? Well according to The Washington Post there is six more weeks of winter weather......and judging by today's weather and the forecast for the next week here in the UK, I can well believe that...brrrrrrrrr....
Queen Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria ~ 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 ~)
February 2nd also sees another anniversary and that is of the funeral of Queen Victoria, who was buried this day in 1901. After being queen for 63 years, seven months and two days, Victoria was laid to rest wearing a white dress and her wedding veil. There were many mementos laid with her...one of Albert's dressing gowns with a plaster cast of his hand laid by her side. While in her left hand, and concealed by a bunch of flowers, was a lock of John Brown's hair and a picture of him. Among the jewellery items placed on her body was a wedding ring belonging to John Brown's mother, which he gave to Queen Victoria in 1883....
After two days lying-in-state she was interred with Prince Albert in Frogmore Mausoleum at Windsor Great Park. As Queen Victoria was laid to rest it began to snow....
I think it was fitting that items belonging to both Albert and John were placed in her coffin. Both Albert and John were important to her, one through marriage and one through friendship.....
Until next time, take care...Hugs Chrissy xx
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