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| Andrew Wyeth's study for the painting "Groundhog Day" |
As the light grows longer
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop.
The cold grows stronger
If Candlemas be fair and bright
Winter will have another flight
If Candlemas be cloud and rain
Winter will be gone and not come again
A farmer should on Candlemas day
Have half his corn and half his hay
On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop
You can be sure of a good pea crop.
--Scottish verse of unknown origin
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| "Groundhog Day" by Andrew Wyeth, who decided not to include the dog, but I still feel its presence, don't you? |
It continues to be bright and clear here in Oregon, so the groundhog will be scared back into his tunnel for six more weeks of winter. For the rest of the nation, hip-deep in snow at the moment, it means that winter is at an end: the logic of this is questionable. Okay, in fact, Punxsutawney Phil's projection is wrong 60% of the time.
The verse 'applies' here too. It is ancient country lore. How much is real and can be taken on trust I have no idea. We no longer keep an eye on natural weather prognostications, but rely instead on daily forecasts from the meteorologists.
ReplyDeleteThey can't always be trusted, either.
Love Wyeth - have several of his prints in our little log house :)
ReplyDelete