#TBT Canada Needs to Adjust Groundhog Day Parameters

Wiarton Willie Statue

Early reports indicate that Punxsutawney Phil, having seen his shadow and darted back inside his hole, is predicting a long winter. Meanwhile in Canada all eyes are on Wiarton Willie to see what he thinks of the chances of an early spring. The rule of hog – dare I say the ground rule – is that a shadow-frightened rodent means six more weeks of winter.

But on those occasions when (Willie) scarpers back under the covers with the remote and a few books, let’s be true to our climate and say ten more weeks of winter are in store.

All this is cute and no doubt makes somebody a few bucks on T-shirt sales. But we Canadians have to adjust the parameters just a wee bit. If Phil sees his shadow, as he did today, that means six more weeks of winter. That’s mid-March! With the exception of those living west of the Rockies, any Canadian worth his or her road salt would love to have spring arrive in March, in reality, not just on the calendar.

I suggest the following change: If Wiarton Willie doesn’t see his shadow and opts to come out of his hole and lead us to believe we’ll have an early spring that’s fine and dandy. But on those occasions when he scarpers back under the covers with the remote and a few books, let’s be true to our climate and say ten more weeks of winter are in store.

When it comes to meteorological conditions,  what works in Pennsylvania doesn’t work in Wiarton, Ontario!

DCMontreal – Deegan Charles Stubbs – is a Montreal writer born and raised who likes to establish balance and juxtapositions; a bit of this and a bit of that, a dash of Yin and a soupçon of Yang, some Peaks and an occasional Frean and maybe a bit of a sting in the tail! Please follow DCMontreal on Twitter and on Facebook, and add him on Google+