This year, both Groundhog Day and the State of the Union Address
fall on the same day.
As Air America Radio pointed out,
"It is an ironic juxtaposition: one involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of little intelligence for prognostication..... and the other involves a groundhog."
I'm a little groundhog short and stout,
February second I will come out.
If I see my shadow they will shout,
"Six weeks more winter without doubt!"
--Unknown
Groundhogs are "fossorial" - meaning, they live most of their lives underground. They dig burrows or "dens", that have several entrances, each connected with the main tunnel and nesting chamber where the groundhog will hibernate for the winter. Their whiskers help them to "see" underground, but above ground they have excellent hearing and eyesight!
