Happy Candlemas from Groundparrot Gilligan!

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 7:59 am

According to an old German tradition, Candlemas (the date midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox) is a day where the future can be determined. If the day is sunny, the rest of the winter season will have bad weather. If Candlemas is cloudy, we'll be having some good weather from now on!

As I am not aware of there being a Lakewood groundhog, of the type they use over in Pennsylvania to determine future weather conditions, I do however, have my "groundparrot" Gilligan to help us with this prediction.

As of 7:58 am today, Lakewood's Groundparrot Gilligan has not seen his shadow. Dare we hope that winter is waning?

Happy Candlemas all!

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:25 pm

Weather Advisory update: mixed data received

Dateline 12:15 pm.

We regret to inform you that, as of 12:15 pm, Lakewood's GroundParrot Gilligan did indeed see his shadow.

As to whether the renowned Candlemas Legend only holds for shadow sightings in the morning only, or all day, we'll simply have to leave to speculation.

It is this writer's opinion however, that Groundparrot Gilligan continues to remain optimistic regarding our future good weather hopes.

Charyn Compeau · Post by **Charyn Compeau** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:33 pm

Stan Austin · Post by **Stan Austin** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 2:49 pm

Gary-----

I had such great hopes that you were sane

Still Your Friend--- Stan

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:17 pm

Stan,

Nothing wrong with me. It's probably the rest of the world.

Gary

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:29 pm

oh dear parrot, can you predict if we shall have a snow day on monday?

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:02 pm

Ivor,

You know we are in trouble when we ask a parrot from the tropics about a snow day!

However, I honestly did as you asked, and went upstairs to ask him.

He turned his head sideways, looked down, and made an inaudible mumble.

Knowing Gilligan as I do, that does not look good for your snow day!

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:12 pm

Esther Hazlett · Post by **Esther Hazlett** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:50 pm

We SO need a groundparrot festival next year, a la Punxsutawney! I love it!

Gary Rice · Post by **Gary Rice** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 11:07 am

Ivor,

Apparently I mis-read Groundparrot Gilligan's response to me concerning your Monday snow-day request.

It is obvious to me now, that he was wondering how I could possibly doubt that there would indeed, be a Monday snow day!

Congratulations on your apparently successful request from the great Groundparrot!

Gilligan is smiling for you today.