I'M AFRAID THE REALLY HARD PART IS STILL AHEAD -- Just a Minute Radio for Thursday 120202

It’s the day for Mr. Groundhog to either see his shadow or not.

I wonder what the people up in Puxatawny Pennsylvania will do if the groundhog just doesn’t show up?

The celebration early this morning was to be held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. It’s February 2 in the United States and Canada. According to folklore. If it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day then spring will come early. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks – which in our case this year means more 60 and 70 degree days. Whatever happened to winter?

New to me is the fact that in southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges) celebrate the holiday with fersommlinge, social events in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g'spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment. The Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pay a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime or quarter, per word spoken, put into a bowl in the center of the table.

(All of the foregoing information came from the current edition of the Wikipedia Encyclopedia – thank you very much.)

My wife Barbara M. Emery was born and raised in southeastern PA…. but she does not speak Pennsylvania Dutch. Nonetheless a Pennsylvania girl married a young Virginia gentleman in May of 1953 and lived happily ever after. (J)

Have a great day… See you tomorrow.

Cordially, IN HIM

Jack & Barbara

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“JUST A MINUTE”

I’M AFRAID THE REALLY HARD PART IS STILL AHEAD

Just a Minute: Tuesday was an “up” day for the Romney Campaign but and by Wednesday the storm flags were flying.

Mr. Romney beat Mr. Gingrich by a large vote. When the main stream media begin to dig under the surface – another story emerges. They point out among the most conservative voters in the exit polling, Romney loses and Gingrich wins – but it’s true also while winter reigns in the northern hemisphere, summer is at its peak in Brazil. There’s probably a thousand interpretations of what has happened – and twice that many pushed forward over what MAY happen.

What’s the *real* truth?

The predominance of the news and opinion columns I read in the Washington POST, no friend of Mr. Romney, awarded a real victory to him. The Wall St. Journal – editorials are far more conservative -- had mostly even division between who has the better prospects – admitting Romney has the most resources.

Mr. Romney had a bad day coming out of South Carolina and a good one coming out of Florida. But the election is really in November. Relax -- have another swig of iced tea. <> I’m Jack Buttram. (END)

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