February 2, 2024

It seems fitting that the term Groundhog Day has become synonymous with the idea of a series of unwelcome events happening over and over.  I guess we can thank Bill Murray for that. 

For the past ten days, the skies have been cloudy and gray with only a few brief glimmers of sun making their way down to earth.  With all this, it was a little surprising to learn that Punxsutawney Phil predicted that spring would come early this year.  What is not so surprising is that he did not see his shadow on this gray and gloomy day.   Add some chilly temperatures, and we have a recipe for a depressing spell of winter.  We are in the midst of what is called mid-winter, but it helps to believe that the worst is behind us.  Who cannot appreciate those hopeful glimmers of daylight as we arise and those few more minutes of evening light on our drives home. The sun will be back shining in its glory any day now.  It never fails us, for as it has been said “As sure as the sun rises…”  Although the clouds dominate the sky today and more drizzle is on the way, we know that spring is growing closer.  “Hope springs eternal in the human breast,” Alexander Pope once said.  Yes, Hope is what gets us through a long New England winter.  Let’s celebrate the strength and will power that we have.  Let’s marvel at our ability to smile though the pain.  And let’s hope our dear groundhog of 2024 is right this year!