The Pennsylvania German call Groundhog Day Grundsaudaag Murmeltiertag celebrated on February 2 each year. According to folklore, the groundhog is a predictor of weather. If it’s cloudy when the groundhog comes out of his burrow, spring will come early. If it’s sunny and the groundhog sees his shadow, he’ll run back into his hole and winter weather will continue for six more weeks.

In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Day is a celebrated event and Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous ground hog in the world….altough, I don’t imagine the Punxsutawney Phill who comes out of his burrow today is the same Phil whose been “forecasting” spring all these years.

Here in north central North Carolina, groundhogs are more adventurous  The one who lives in my drainage ditch has been around all winter, just hanging out.

In fact, he’s been hanging around since 2006. My daughters have even named him.

One suggested Butner Bill–after Punxsutawney Phill and Bill Murray from the movie, Groundhog Day. The other suggested Phill Murray–after the same. After much debate, we settled on Bill Phill Murray. And I just saw him yesterday. He was across the road, running through the pasture.

According to the news, Punxsutaney Phil saw his shadow and predicted an early spring. I haven’t seen Bill Phil Murray yet, but if I do, I’ll let you know what he says about the weather.