Wednesday, February 01, 2006

February is for Lovers*

Yes folks, it's here, the most romantic holiday in the calendar year. I'm two weeks early you say? Not at all -- today is (drumroll)


GROUNDHOG DAY!

Now, you might well ask What could possibly be so romantic about Groundhog Day? I submit the following as evidence:
  • My parents were married on Groundhog Day (February 2nd).
  • My husband and I became engaged on Groundhog Day.
  • A good friend (I'll leave it up to that person to choose whether or not to identify him or herself) also celebrates their anniversary on Groundhog Day.

Tomorrow morning, while Punxsutawney Phil is being yanked mercilessly out of his cozy burrow to satisfy the folkloric superstitions of a bunch of fool humans, several of that sorry bunch (fool humans) will be gearing up for a day of romantic remembrance. Perhaps we were inspired by the humble, cuddly (poetic license exercised here) groundhog. Or maybe we just couldn't wait 12 more sunrises for the day of hearts and roses to arrive. Personally, I think it's just because the whole month of February is for lovers, and we should kick it off as early as possible. OK,OK -- full disclosure on my true personal story here; our first opportunity for a romantic dinner out after the purchase of the ring happened to fall on Groundhog Day.

Just for the record, February 2nd is also the holiday of Candlemas, something I know because of enigmatic references to the day in British literature and romance novels. According to the Answers.com article I've referenced, Groundhog Day has it's origins in Candlemas:

"In the British Isles, good weather at Candlemas is taken to indicate severe winter weather later. It is also the date that bears emerge from winter hibernation to inspect the weather as well as wolves, who if they choose to return to their lairs on this day is interpreted as meaning severe weather will continue for another forty days at least. In the United States and Canada, Candlemas evolved into Groundhog Day celebrated on the same date.The earliest American reference to Groundhog Day can be found at the Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore Center at Franklin and Marshall College:

February 4, 1841 - from Morgantown, Berks County (Pennsylvania) storekeeper James Morris' diary..."Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate." [1]

So Happy Groundhog Day, Happy Candlemas, and Happy Anniversary to all!

*Just a footnote: I'm posting this late in the day on 2/1 because I won't have a chance to publish again until late on 2/2.

6 comments:

Pax Romano said...

YAY for Groundhog's Day! The third best holiday of the year...next to Halloween and the 4th of July!

Gee I wonder who that third party is...oh well.

Merci said...

Pax-
You know I love these no-pressure holidays. You don't have to decorate, and they give you an excuse to have a little fun, on your own terms.

Virginia Gal said...

Happy engagement anniversary! I hope you guys go out somewhere nice to eat tonight - maybe try groundhog (no I'm just kidding). : ) I had to go there, everyone was talking about it on the radio this morning.

missmagnoliathunderpussy said...

Everywhere I go
I hear sweet songs about the moon
Songs about the stars above
And songs of love and June
Songs of hearts that beat as one
To some sweet lovers tune
But they're not songs that sing for me.

Songs about the dream that lies
Within a lover's eyes
Songs about the cloudless sky
And lover's paradise
Songs about the joys of love
And lovers lullabies
But there not songs that sing for me.

What good is love?
If you have to face
Cold hungry days and sighing
What good is love?
If life's just a race
To keep your heart from crying
Let the poet sing of skies above
And endless love
And hearts that dance
Where is my chance?
For the call of romance.

What good is love?
If you haven't got
All that makes life worth living
What good is love?
If you haven't got
Even a thing worth giving
You can keep your little songs
That sing of all the joy that love can bring
What good's romance?
What good is love to me?

You can keep your little songs
That sing of all the joy that love can bring
What good's romance?
What good is love to me?

Merci said...

Miss Magnolia-
Love is good when you're in it. Hope you're in the midst of it soon, if you aren't now!

Great song.

Merci said...

Virginia Gal-
Thanks for the good wishes. We ended up with take out, which was grand! But NOT groundhog...