Groundhog Day – Happy 10th Anniversary, Punxsutawney Phyllis!

Posted on February 2, 2015 by viviankirkfield

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 10^th 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 10^TH 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!

Have You Seen That Groundhog? Punxsutawney Phyllis’ Fashion Show

Posted on January 29, 2014 by viviankirkfield

February 2nd is Groundhog Day.

You know the drill, right?

Luckily, I am good friends with a very special groundhog…author Susanna Leonard Hill’s famous Punxsutawney Phyllis.

So, I thought I’d call her to get the low-down on up-coming weather trends.

Phyllis was very close-mouthed about it – and refused to spill the beans before the official date – but she did share something with me.

She’s planning a vacation at an undisclosed nude beach in the Caribbean – to attend the 1st Annual Groundhog Fun-in-the-Sun-Spectacular (or Spectacle…it was a bad connection and I wasn’t sure what she said).

Here’s a picture she emailed me…that’s Phyllis, on her beach blanket, covered by her towel…this is a G-rated blog, after all.

I know we all hope Phyllis has an awesome time – for more adventures of Phyllis, go here.

If you want to submit an entry or see the other posts, Susanna has a linky up on her blog…lots of others are joining Phyllis’ Fun Fashion Show.

Groundhog Day: Facts and Fiction

Posted on February 2, 2013 by viviankirkfield

We celebrate Groundhog Day on February 2^nd. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.

In many parts of the United States, early morning festivals are held to watch the groundhog emerging from its burrow.

According to Wikipedia, “The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Groundhog Day, already a widely recognized and popular tradition, received widespread attention as a result of the 1993 film Groundhog Day, which was set in Punxsutawney and portrayed Punxsutawney Phil.

In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges) celebrate the holiday with fersommlinge, social events in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g’spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment. The Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pay a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime, or quarter per word spoken, with the money put into a bowl in the center of the table.”

Susanna Leonard Hill, author of the popular children’s picture book, Punxsutawney Phyllis, is having a celebration of her own. All over the world, her followers will be taking their Punxsutawney Phyllis paper groundhog doll outside to see if it will cast a shadow or not.

As you can see, it was sunny this morning in Colorado Springs. Punxsutawney Phyllis, accompanied by several of her friends, did NOT see her shadow…she was facing the other way! I, on the other hand, did see her shadow…but I’m not a groundhog, so I don’t believe that counts.

Whatever you believe about Groundhog Day, I hope you will check out Susanna’s wonderful picture book, available at Amazon. Sweet and funny and adventuresome, Susanna’s little groundhog will capture your heart.

If you visit her website today, you’ll be able to track Phyllis’ adventures on this Groundhog Day of 2013. I wonder where she has been?

IMPORTANT GROUNDHOG DAY ANNOUNCEMENT:

THE FINALISTS IN THE WRITERS DESK COMPETITION HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!!!!!! And my entry is one of them!!!!!

Please take a moment to visit Nancy’s website and VOTE! There are seven finalists. I know you will enjoy reading about how others carve a place to do their thinking and writing.

This was my entry:

I WRITE, THEREFORE I AM by Vivian Kirkfield

A writing space by any name does serve me well.

By lamplight or with sunlight streaming

Ideas flourish while I’m dreaming.

From mind to pen words quickly teeming

Pages fill with stories beaming.

In quiet or with children screaming

Cluttered desk or table gleaming

I’ve found my heaven…not to write would be my hell

http://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/the-writers-desk-let-the-voting-begin/

Happy Groundhog Day…whether winter lasts six more days or six more weeks or six more months, we can have sunshine in our hearts and smiles on our faces…please make a positive impact on those you touch. For parents, this is especially important. Winter days may seem to drag on. Bad weather may keep the kids inside. Here’s a GREAT plan:

Buy a copy of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking
Read your kids one of the recommended picture book stories
Do one of the quick and easy craft projects
Let your children help you make one of the child-friendly healthful recipes
You’ll have fun and so will they