phil's prediction???

Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in United States and Canada on February 2. In weather lore, if a groundhog, also known as a woodchuck, or marmot emerges from its burrow on this day and fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end. If on the other hand, it is sunny and the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for 6 more weeks. Of course, this legend has little to do with reality. The fact is that, whether or not the groundhog sees its shadow, there are another six weeks of winter. Look at your calendar, count 6 1/2 weeks into the future, and you'll see the first day of spring. Now count backward 6 1/2 weeks, and you'll see the first day of winter. Groundhog Day is halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. And that is not coincidence!

(courtesy: www.groundhog.org)

januarye

January is named for Janus (Ianuarius), the god of the doorway; the name has its beginnings in Roman mythology, coming from the Latin word for door (ianua) - January is the door to the year. Traditionally, the original Roman calendar consisted of 10 months, totalling 304 days, winter being considered a monthless period. Around 713 BC, the semi-mythical successor of Romulus, King Numa Pompilius, is supposed to have added the months of January and February. January is, on average, the coldest month of the year within most of the Northern Hemisphere and the warmest month of the year within most of the Southern Hemisphere. (Probably more than you wanted to know.) (Courtesy: www.fromoldbooks.org & Wikipedia)

new year - 2009

~ ~~~~~~Welcome to "2009" ~~~~~~~

merry christmas to all

Christmas decorations ~ ~ ~ ~ There can be no Christmas without Christmas decorations! Decors evoke Christmas sentiments among children and grown-ups. Christmas decorations date all the way back to the old Christmas markets in 16th century Germany. In those days, Christmas food, such as sugar rods, honey cakes, and other Christmas candy, were particularly used as Christmas decorations. In the 18th century, many other kinds of Christmas decorations became popular. Among them were glazed paper, colored paper, and those which contain candies, nuts, cakes, raisins, and fruits. (courtesy: www.allthingschristmas.com)

christmas, florida/michigan

The Christmas, Florida post office processes over 250,000 letters and postcards during the holiday season. The Christmas, Michigan post office is said to post a similiar amount from its Upper Peninsula location.

christmas season (disambiguation)

Things commonly known as the Christmas season include: Christmastide — the part of the Christian liturgical year that runs from Christmas Day to the start of Epiphany. It is more usually known as the Twelve Days of Christmas) Advent — the part of the Christian liturgical year that leads up to Christmas Day (The Christmas season according to advertising campaigns.) The Christmas/winter holiday season — a period of holidays during late autumn and early winter (ranging from late November to January) that incorporates a holiday shopping season.

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

be thankful !!!

autumn colors - number eight

CARP RIVER, PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS STATE PARK, MICHIGAN, SEPTEMBER 28, 2008

autumn colors - number seven

Ed and Mary Ann Murdock enjoy the fall colors while paddlng their canoe near their home in Turner, Maine. (courtesy: www.ocregister.com)

autumn colors - number six

Amish Country, Ohio (courtesy: www.wallpaperme.com)

autumn colors - number four

Thornton Lake, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan

(courtesy: www.wallpaperme.com)

autumn colors daily

Aspen Forest in Early Fall, Ohio Pass, Gunnison National Forest, Colorado

(courtesy: wallpaperme.com)

autumn colors

The leaves are green, the nuts are brown, They hang so high they won't come down. Leave them alone till frosty weather, Then they will all come down together.

Anonymous

the natchez trace parkway

The Natchez Trace, a 440-mile-long path extending from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, linked the Cumberland, Tennessee and Mississippi rivers. It was a traditional Native Americans trail and was later also used by early European explorers as both a trade and transit route in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Today, the trail has been commemorated by the 444-mile-long Natchez Trace Parkway, which follows the approximate path of the trace. The trail itself has a long and rich history, filled with brave explorers, dastardly outlaws and daring settlers. Parts of the original trail are still accessible.

(courtesy: Wikipedia)

today's featured picture

The Justine McAllister, a tugboat, in New York Harbor. Tugboats are used to maneuver, primarily by towing or pushing, other vessels in harbors, over the open sea or through rivers and canals. Tugboats are also used to tow barges, disabled ships, or other equipment like towboats. Photo credit: Eric Baetscher Courtesy: Wikipedia, 23 Sep 08