This is one time where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather.

 OK, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties cause it's cold out there. It's cold out there every day. That's right its....

February 2: Groundhog Day!

Momma loves this holiday. Momma grew up in Marion, OH which just so happens to be the home of one Buckeye Chuck, Ohio's official groundhog. Phil Whatshisname over there in Pennsylvania can take a hike! Chuck has a far better accuracy rate and he's a hometown boy since 1979. Since 2006, Chuck has been twice as accurate as Phil, with six correct predictions to Phil's three.

Every February 2nd, Chuck's adoring fans gather at the radio station in Marion for his appearance and weather forecast. Traditionally, Spam sandwiches are served and Chuck poses for pictures. Why Spam sandwiches? Well Spam is canned pork that's ground up...groundhog! The radio station live broadcasts the event over the air and online for those who can't make it in person. For the last 3 years, Papa and I have listened to the live broadcast together online. But since Middle and I are celebrating every day, what better way to spend the morning than in the presence of Chuck himself? Middle, Little, our pup Willie and I packed up yesterday to make the drive north. We spent the night at Gram-Gram's so we could be up early for the party.

Thankfully, the rain that was in the forecast was holding off and temps were in the low 40's. 

The event starts at 7am but Chuck doesn't make his official prediction until 7:41am. Sadly, it was announced that the traditional Spam sandwiches would not be served this year. In the meantime, we got to hear from a Marion County Park District Naturalist about groundhog habits. We learned that male groundhogs actually wake up a week or two early than females so that they can scout out the females' locations. This means once the ladies are awake, the males can spend more time "courting" them and not waste so much time trying to find them. 

Next we heard from the woman who breeds and raises the groundhogs and takes care of Chuck on his off time. She made the special announcement that ol' Chuck was a new papa to a litter of baby groundhogs! Keeping that lineage alive and well.

Afterwards, it was time for Chuck to meet his adoring crowd. He made his way out and about to receive well wishes and gentle pets. Middle was stoked to be able to pet a celebrity.

At promptly 7:41am, Chuck strolled out in front of the cameras to announce that he did not see his shadow on this cloudy morning and we can expect an early spring....after the impending snow and ice storm in the next few days. Then it was time to retire to his digs for a much deserved mid-morning nap.

By the time we were leaving, the rain was beginning to move in and temps were dropping so Momma took Middle to Starbucks for a coffee to warm up (and a cake pop for him) before we headed back to Gram-Grams to pack up for home before the storm hit.