Grounds for a Holiday ...

Ahhh dearest husband and friends who were housebound yesterday in a bone-rattling Halifax blizzard, take heart! Nova Scotia's beloved groundhog, Shubenacadie Sam (say that 3 times) popped out of his burrow this morning and did not see his shadow! Sam's progniscation skills are widely recognized by those 'in the know', and he has even been inducted into the Groundhog Gallery Hall of Fame. So, yes - winter is almost over! Rejoice! Did I mention that it's sunny and 15 degrees celcius today?

By the way, Hedgehog Day dates back to Roman times when the fate of spring was decided by hedgehogs who would see their shadows at night by the light of the moon. Hey its a lunar thing - maybe Islam should look into this! Oddly, about 6 weeks after Groundhog Day is the vernal equinox (the traditional beginning of spring).