PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) - Phil did not see his shadow on Friday, which, according to German folklore, means folks can expect an early spring instead of six more weeks of winter.
Since 1886, Phil has seen his shadow 96 times, hasn't seen it 15 times and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The last time Phil failed to see his shadow was in 1999. MORE...
One reporter on the scene, Carl Snootinsnurfer of the Allegheny, PA, Star-Intelligencer asked Phil if he enjoyed being made a yearly spectacle. "Spectacle? I'm not the spectacle, these guys are," Phil responded, jesturing at a pair of handlebar-mustached men clad in tuxedos and top-hats. "They look like complete idiots."
Phil proved uncooperative for much of the post-ceremony press conference, which broke up after a mere twenty minutes. Phil and his entourage, including three groundhogs whom he referred to as "my boys" (whether Phil meant that these were his friends or his offspring remains unclear), two badgers, a river otter and two chipmunks departed the scene shortly thereafter under tight security to "meet up with the rest of my posse," according to Phil, at a Punxsutawney-area watering hole (whether he meant a tavern or a literal hole of water has not yet been confirmed).
Phil chain-smoked throughout the press conference, raising concerns among some about his health and longevity. Phil has been predicting winter's end since he was 5, in 1886, which means he will turn 126 this year.
In other news, the high in Louisville today was 28 degrees, with highs expected to plunge into the teens over the weekend...
1 comment:
Speaking of the weather, didn't you guys mention that you have a certain electric blanket that's not being used? :)
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