Today is a very special day! Yes, I know, it is Groundhog Day. And unfortunately, I believe we are in for another six weeks of winter. Right now, we are being hit with yet another BLIZZARD here in New Hampshire.
But it is also the 10th Anniversary of the publication of Punxsutawney Phyllis, Susanna Leonard Hill’s lovely picture book about a feisty girl groundhog.
Susanna has created a link up party on her blog.
– stop over and visit. Here is my entry for the celebration.
HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY, PHYLLIS!
ODE TO PHYLLIS – ON HER TENTH ANNIVERSARY (With many apologies to the master of poetry, Edgar Allen Poe)
Once upon a morning cloudy, while I waited, kind of rowdy,
Wanting nothing more than just to dance and sing and trill —
While I hip-hopped, in the shower, water running for an hour,
Getting ready for my party given by my uncle Phil,
Cross the window pane – a shadow – straight from Boulder, Colorado
I grabbed my robe and screamed a scream that screamers said was shrill.
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In stepped Phil who said, “You will put on your lacy frill.”
“Let’s get going, my sweet maiden; ‘cause my arms are heavy laden
with some nuts and acorns – please be careful, they might spill.
We’ve a shadow to uncover and surprises to discover
Happy Birthday, Phyllis! It’s been 10 years – what a thrill!”
I hope you enjoyed my little ditty.
Last year, a bunch of us participated in a fashion contest for Phyllis.
My entry featured Phyllis, relaxing on her beach blanket in sunny Mexico!
I also blogged about Groundhog Day and Phyllis in 2013: https://viviankirkfield.com/2013/02/02/groundhog-day-facts-and-fiction/
Stay safe and stay warm, wherever you are!
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
This is great. Sorry you are being hit with another blizzard. We have 50s this week in Colorado Springs … We still have plenty of time for snow before spring here. Sigh.
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Stacy…And yet another storm is on it’s way for this weekend. 😦 And I noticed that you guys had temps in the 70’s on Friday…what’s up with that? 🙂 🙂 But you’re right…I always thought the worst snowstorms in the Springs were in March.
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Perfect Poe-st!!! We are expecting snow on Wednesday, but you probably don’t want to hear it will shoot back up to the 60’s by Friday. Sorry!
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Oh, you are so clever, Julie…love the Poe-st!!!! And it is Friday and you had temps in the 70’s, as I commented to Stacy…boo-hoo. 😦 But spring is just around the corner…or, according to Phyllis, in six weeks. 😉
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That was most excellent, Vivian! Phyllis and I LOVE it! How did you know we hip-hop in the shower for an hour?! 🙂 And I love seeing Phyllis on her sunny blanket from last year – ah, sun… I forget what you look like… Thank you for being such a Phyllis devotee that you have participated every year! I think you should get a prize just for that! 🙂 Happy Groundhog Day! 🙂
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So happy you and Phyllis enjoyed my Poe-em. 🙂 😉 (Can’t be outdone with puns by Julie RZ, right?)
I love all of the contests, challenges and writing prompts you cook up for us, Susanna…I need to head over to WYRI and comment..I missed this week AND last week…that’s never happened before.
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OMG, *claps louldy* That was fabulous, Vivian!!!! I adore it.
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Hey, Kathy…you are so kind! Thank you…glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Very creative, sweet and fun. Boy, you are getting slammed with bad weather. Bet you wish spring would come early.
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You better believe it, Pat! It’s been one blizzard after another…I think I’ll be putting the snow plow guy’s kid through college. 🙂 Glad you liked the Ode. 😉
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Poe would be proud of you, Vivian. 🙂 What a fun birthday poen for Punxsutawney Phyllis! Hope you can stay safe and warm.
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I’m trying to stay warm, Linda. 🙂 It’s always fun to participate in Susanna’s celebrations…thanks for the kind words. 😉
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I sooo enjoyed your little ditty, Vivian! Great fun!
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Thank you so much, Penny! I’m coming to read the Great-Aunt and Great-Nephew post tonight…I know you have a guest collaborator today. 😉
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I guess children don’t need to see replays of the mayor holding the groundhog up to his ear to “hear” the answer–and the groundhog bit his ear! I don’t know if that means 6 more weeks of winter or not… 🙂
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Oh dear…did that really happen, Marylin? Here in New Hampshire, it feels like there will be 6 months more of winter. 😉 😉
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Very clever, Vivian. Poet would be impressed. I can imagine Phyllis in a robe and glasses listening to this.
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Yes, I hope Phyllis enjoyed it. 🙂 Glad you liked it also, Catherine…I really need to go and visit all the other fun poems….I just keep running out of time. 😦
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trill, thrill, frill, spill, shrill…so many lovely rhymes. I love it!
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Thank you, Heather…Rhymezone.com and I are great friends. 😉 😉 😉
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Awesome ditty!!!!! Way to go Ms Kirkfield!!! Stay warm up there!
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Glad you liked it, Rhythm. 🙂 And it’s nice and toasty inside!
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A wonderful ode to the celebrant! I’m glad Phyllis found sunshine in New Mexico! You should join her. 🙂
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You know, I was thinking about that…there is something to be said for relocating to warmer climates…but unfortunately, my daughter and grandson are in snowy New Hampshire. 🙂 Glad you like the ode, Romelle. 🙂
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Awesome! That’s a really great poem! 😀
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Thank you, Erik! Did you write one? I’m going to try to get over to read them tomorrow. 🙂
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