Happy Marmot Day!

I loved groundhog's day as a kid. Perhaps it was because it was a day about a rodent, one of my favorite creatures. Perhaps it was because my family gives each other presents for every holiday. Perhaps it was because I held on to childlike hope that the groundhog would not, in fact, see his shadow.

As the years went by, my delight in groundhog's day morphed into confusion: In order to see his shadow, it would have to be bright outside, so a sunny day should indicate the end of winter, not the beginning of it. Nevertheless, I pushed all doubts aside and basked in the glory of all things groundhog.

And then, around 5 years ago (yes, it took me that long), it hit me--those bastards always make the damn groundhog see his shadow. I lived under the delusion that they sat the damn rat on a stump and looked for a shadow. It was one blustery, dark winter's day when I saw that there was no shadow, yet Pete or Phil or whatever still saw it. Like today, for instance--Look at the photos! There is no shadow, yet he sees it in the "bright sky." Yeah, right.

So I quit loving groundhog's day until this year. It's the year of the rat and the year of the marmot, and I am happy to celebrate all things rodent. Ever since Prax and I saw that dead bloated thing and developed the OM plan, I have thought more and more about how we should be supporters, rallyers, proponents of the marmot. They need our support, for gods' sake. I mean, Robert Goulet's clone is practically wiping them out.

So on this day, Feb 2, 2008, I hearby declare the beginning of a series of Marmot days, for I shall celebrate Groundhog's day with fervor, year after year. Bowling, White Russians, ferrets, sasparilla, a donation to some urban achievers' fund--the festivities are endless, and I know that Prax is celebrating with me on the other side of the country. Next year, perhaps, I will throw a party, and if I am in Lubbock, we'll have tumbleweeds to boot!

For now, my only regret is that I didn't purchase my tshirt.