A palm, a pan and a plan??

The earliest known American reference to Groundhog Day can be found at the Historical Society of Berks County in Reading, Pennsylvania. The reference was made Feb. 4, 1841 in 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."

In the U.S. the tradition derives from a Scottish poem:

As the light grows longer

The cold grows stronger

If Candlemas be fair and bright

Winter will have another flight

If Candlemas be cloud and rain

Winter will be gone and not come again

A farmer should on Candlemas day

Have half his corn and half his hay

On Candlemas day if thorns hang a drop

You can be sure of a good pea crop

Well its been a great birthday celebration , I have been serenaded in song and feted galore, the girls at work decorated my little cubicle and Steven sang to me, my brother sang to me, and my mom and dad sang to me. !

I got a palm pilot to organize my life, a pan that I wanted from Steven and a wonderful gift of thought and time from my girlly HH and this morning I didn't see my shadow either and so I along with many of my friends are hoping for a shortened winter.

I got all the best cards and greetings from all my friends! and my family - I am so blessed I can't even tell you the best of it is just knowing that they all love me.