Groundhog Day 2016: Fun Facts! #groundhogday

It’s Groundhog Day! If the groundhog sees his shadow, it’s another 6 weeks of winter!

This tradition grew out of Europe and it’s based on Candlemas. Candlemas is the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The English rhyme went like this:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,

Winter has another flight.

If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,

Winter will not come again.

I suppose some ol’ groundhog woke up on Candlemas, saw his shadow, and freaked out. Bam! Now you’ve got groundhog’s day.

The most famous groundhog of all is Punxsutawney Phil and he lives in a burrow on Gobbler’s Knob. Phil had his first opportunity to shadow watch in 1887.  Since 1993, Phil has been right 13 times and wrong 15 times.  I suppose it depends on his mood.  After all, Phil is in a state of hibernation.  I’m sure he doesn’t appreciate being woken up in the middle of the long winter nap to look at his shadow.

Fun Facts:

A groundhog is a woodchuck.

They are good swimmers.

Groundhogs weigh between 12-15 pounds.

Groundhogs eat greens, fruits, and veggies.

Phil goes into his hibernation state in October.  He usually wakes up in late March or April.

You can visit Punxsutawney Phil at his website:

Question:  Do you have a groundhog day ceremony where you live?

A POLISH HEART:

BLURB: 

Darrin Riverton, an architect from the United States is assigned to a challenging project which requires a trip to Poland. Sofia Buraczynski is assigned as his translator and his first sight of her heats his blood.

With Sofia as his guide, Darrin discovers Poland and many new things about himself, as well. When a chance is presented for him to remain in Poland, will he leave behind family and all that is familiar to follow his heart?

EXCERPT:

A tall, handsome man with broad shoulders, wearing a long-sleeved polo shirt, walked toward her holding a bouquet of poppies and orchids.

Her teeth nipped at her lower lip as she ran her eyes over this beautifully proportioned man, her body warming at the sight of him. He looked tough and lean, and his handsome face kindled with a sort of classical beauty she hadn't seen on a man before. His leonine stride radiated self-confidence. His hair was sandy blond in a short, neat cut and his cobalt blue eyes pierced her professional armor.

He stopped in front of her and held out his flowers. "Dzien dobry."

A wide grin crossed her lips and she dropped the sign she was holding. "Hello, Mr. Riverton."

A look of relief passed over his face. "You know, I practiced that phrase all morning on the plane."

"I admire the effort. Are the flowers for me?"
"Yes." His smile was full of pride.


Reviews:

5 Stars, Tara Manderino, Amazon Reader, “A totally enjoyable read.”

 5 Stars, Nancy Levine, Amazon Reader, “My grandfather was from Poland, but I have never been there, so I enjoyed reading about it as well as the customs about the Easter basket, etc.”

5 Stars, Billie Houston, Amazon Reader, “I love the warm-hearted tale.”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON: http://amzn.com/B007AS29AO

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-polish-heart-stephanie-burkhart/1111503774?ean=2940033247875

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/164429

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/a-polish-heart

Happy 74th Birthday to the USO!

The USO is turning 74 years old on 4 FEB 2015 and I thought I'd sharing some fun facts about this organization that has supported America's troops since World War II.  I'm a veteran myself and I can tell you I really appreciated having the USO around, and I took advantage of their opportunities when I could. In 1990 and 1991 I was able to stay in Garmish and Berchesgarten.  In 1997, I went on an USO organized tour of Budapest. If you have anything to add, please feel free to leave a comment.

**Founded on 4 FEB, by President Franklin Roosevelt. He asked several private organizations like the Salvation Army, YMCA, Catholic Community Service and others to come together and handled rec leave for the troops.

**USO stands for United Service Organization. It's slogan is: Until Everyone comes Home.

**It's not a government agency.

**Mission Statement of the USO: Lift the spirits of American troops and their families.

**Katy Perry and Idina Menzel are veteran USO performers. They also performed at the 2015 Superbowl.

**USO helps with transitioning troops, deployed troops, wounded ill and injured troops, and military families.

**Here are several well known performers who have supported the USO's mission: Bob Hope, Gary Sinse, Katy Perry, Mickey Rooney, Idina Menzel, Hattie McDaniel, Marilyn Monroe, Ann Margaret, and Jay Leno just to name a few.

Question: Has the USO touched your life?  What else would you like to know/learn about the USO?

2015 Groundhog Day Fun Facts #groundhogday

Just thought I’d share some fun facts about Groundhog Day.  If you have any fun facts or anything you’d like to add, feel free to leave a comment.  J

**Groundhog day is celebrated on 2 FEB. If the groundhog sees its shadow and crawls back into its burrow, winter will last another six weeks.

**The largest groundhog celebration is in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

**The 1^st documented mention of Groundhog Day in America was on 4 FEB 1841.

**Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions are right 39% of the time.

**The average groundhog weights between 12-15 pounds and lives between 5-7 years. 

**Groundhogs hibernate.

**Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today. Another 6 weeks of winter weather. If you ask me, that’s a pretty accurate prediction considering there’s another snow storm on the way to the east coast.  Stay warm out that way! 

Question: Has anyone  ever seen a groundhog?

 

2015 Superbowl Fun Facts

I thought I'd share some some superbowl facts with you today: 

If you have a cool fun fact, feel free to leave a comment! 

1^st time the Superbowl was held in February was 3 FEB 2002. TV schedules were delayed a week because of 9/11. The Superbowl has been held in February ever since.

In 2016, Superbowl 50 will be held in San Francisco, CA.

The 1^st Superbowl was on 15 JAN 1967. Green Bay beat the Kansas City Chiefs.

The word "Superbowl" wasn't printed on the tickets until 1970.

In 2012, a 30 second Superbowl ad cost 3.5 million dollars.

Tickets to the 1^st Superbowl cost $6.00. In 2004, the face value of a Superbowl ticket was 400 dollars.  In 2015, the face value was $6,459.21.

The NFL has a lottery that selects 500 names drawn out of a hat for a chance to buy Superbowl tickets at face value. This occurs between 1 FEB – 1 JUN. Check out the NFL website for more information.

MTV produced the 2004 superbowl halftime show with Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake that had the "wardrobe malfunction." MTV was banned by the NFL to produce the Superbowl half time show in the future.

Russell Wilson went to the University of Wisconsin.

Tom Brady went to the University of Michigan.  Tom Brady has been the Patriots quarterback since 2001. He's won 4 Superbowls and is a 3 time Superbowl MVP.

Question: Who were you rooting for?  Who was your favorite player this superbowl?