Gonna Have a Wild Weekend,PART I

               Two monumental events will occur this weekend, as the planets align to refute the Mayan Calendar prediction that we would not see another Groundhog Day or Super Bowl!
                Wooly worms crossing the road headed North or South, cows in the pasture curled on the ground or standing up, snow birds, snow clouds, and dancing inside-out pajamas seek attention as we attempt to manage the unpredictable.  But, it is dear Phil’s shenanigans, just as reliable as Doplar Radar in the wintertime, that give us our first reason to party this weekend.
               If Punxsutawney Phil lived in Arkansas, he'd be attached to a kite or flag pole for his own safety.  Winds, dangerous and threatening, are currently whipping in 72 degree January storm mode, temps heading for below freezing by the weekend.  What 's Phil got to say about that?

                   Of what significance, though, is February 2, other than an old friend’s birthday.  Punxsutawney Phil and his Pennsylvania adventure outside his den focus our attention to Weather Lore and Winter Wonderings.  Long before Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell repeated the day into lunacy, we’ve been separating ourselves into optimists and pessimists, early spring or more winter.  Since 1899, folks have prayed that Phil might comfort us with a longing look toward Spring. Eventhough Phil is the official prognosticator, we might pay homage to General Beauregard Lee, the Atlanta, GA, groundhog. Our facination with this varmit catapults the Groundhog over the Bald Eagle as the most attention-garnering animal in the United States during February.
                     Midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, Groundhog Day is the perfect time for celebration. I don’t need much encouragement to establish a new tradition and a new party theme.  Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe” is the perfect theme song for a party that does not require gifts, cut-down trees, or roasted 20 pound birds.  All you need is good humor and an ugly brown sweater, or not. Suit yourself.  Reminiscent of the groom’s armadillo cake in Steel Magnolia’s, I wonder what a meat loaf in the shape of a groundhog might look like? 
                  I think we’ll just devour some popcorn and watch the 1993 movie after learning on the 6 o’clock news what Phil the Groundhog predicted.  We will learn anew with Bill Murray to “make every day count.”