Groundhog Day

For those of you not living in the US - this is a weather-related celebration.
The groundhog is supposed to come out of his hole and check for his shadow. If he sees it, 6 more weeks of winter will follow. If he doesn't, the winter is over.
The legend of Groundhog Day is based on an old Scottish couplet: "If
Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year."
During Candlemas, clergy would bless and distribute candles to their parishioners' homes. The
candles would be lighted and placed in the window. If the sun came out that day, it meant six
more weeks of wintry weather. If the day was cloudy or rainy it marked moderate weather
until the first day of Spring.

The Germans that settled around Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania in the 1700's brought the
Candelmas tradition with them. At that time the Delaware Indians were also living in that
area. The groundhog represented the Wojak, or "grandfather," to the Delawares. Their legend
said that Wojak was once an animal before it became the first man of the earth. The settlers
took the legend of Wojak and combined it with the Candelmas tradition, and Groundhog Day
began.

. The forecast tomorrow is sunny AND clouds, so it would depend on when and where the groundhog is invited out. I'll let you know.
Yesterday, the Chinese New Year started - the year of the Goat.

Update
The weather guy on ABC News just said that it's likely that Chuck from Staten Island will see his shadow today, it being very sunny.
There are several famous groundhogs. The original one Punxsutowney Phil - for some reason the tradition originated in that little town in Pensilvania.
He's even featured in the movie Groundhog Day - try to see it. (Because it's great!)
I have yet to find out the Brooklyn groundhog's name.
However, we, New Yorkers think better of Staten Island
Chuck