It appears that many of us have made it through the jumble
of holiday events and are striving to make 2016 just as preposterous as most
previous years. I was looking forward to reading about Jolly Old St. Nick
running down some in Washington with his sleigh, but that didn’t happen, so
we’ll have to oust the buggers by way of the ballot box
Contrary to what you might read in advertisements from the
big box stores, the next holiday of any import is not Valentine’s Day, it is
February 2, Ground Hog Day. Because so many now live surrounded by concrete and
asphalt, not planting anything past a window garden, Ground Hog Day has lost
its significance.
There are two major celestial events that drive the
agricultural calendars around the world, winter solstice and summer solstice.
Each of those periods of time have been split into the spring equinox and
autumnal equinox. Spring for planting, autumn for harvest. The old legends
about burrowing and hibernating animals coming out into the world to see what’s
going on sometime around February two on our current means to detailing a year,
was used by old timers to determine whether or not winter might end early.
There are thirteen weeks, give or take a day or two, between
December 21 and March 21, and you might check this out, February two just
happens at the halfway mark. Calendar-wise, there will be six weeks before the
actual beginning of spring, but as we all know, spring can show its beauty and
wonder a little early. Those in agriculture are always hoping for that early
spring without a late frost, to get a head start on growing.
For the most part, we depend on the grocery store for our
victuals, but some legends and traditions have a serous side and Ground Hog Day
is one of them. An early start on corn meant you would have stalks up when the
early rains came, and that would fill the bin for next winter. Getting those
beans sprouted early meant a long summer crop, which meant a full larder for
next winter.
So, I say, let’s party. To hell with the box stores and
their Valentine’s Day promotions, lets all go out and do a dance with the
neighborhood Marmot, and get the seeds separated and ready for an early
planting. That is, after our nice heavy snow fall here in the west, wends its
way into our ground water system so we can sprinkle that large crop all summer.
When we’re tired and muddy from all our dancing, it will
then be time to look for our favorite Valentine. I have mine and her name is
Patty. We’ll dance with the marmots and then, St. Valentine, you better get
ready for some serious early spring-time romance.
Until next time, read good books and stay regular.
Will you join me on facebook from time to time?
Or Tweet with me, darlin’?
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