Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

In case you haven’t heard, we’re due for an early spring. I write this as I dig out from over two feet of snow that has stranded me in my own home.

Nevertheless, it’s true. Today is Ground Hog Day; and the one and only official groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, came out of his burrow early this morning. If he feels like me about rising early, he probably preferred to stay in bed. But February 2 is his one and only chance to shine each year. He’s been doing it since the late 1880s, although I suspect it’s a job handed down from groundhog generation to the next groundhog generation.

Tradition has it that if the groundhog sees his shadow there are six more weeks of winter, and if he doesn’t then spring is around the snow-enbanked corner. This morning, Phil did not see his shadow and all the morning chat shows reported the happy news. I myself was in bed when the actual event occurred. So I went to Punxsutawney Phil’s web site, www.groundhog.org, to check the facts. Believe me, they are quite impressive.

Then I dressed and went out to shovel.