DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

   Annually celebrated in United States and Canada on February 2nd,  Groundhog Day  is a well known holiday that revolves around the popular weather lore of the coming out of a groundhog from its burrow on this date to look for its shadow. The winter is nearing an end if the groundhog sees its shadow and if it retreats into its hole in its absence the cold season is likely to continue for 6 more weeks. The Origins & Beliefs    Groundhog Day, celebrated across the United States and Canada,  is purely a North  American  tradition. It is based on a belief that on this day (February 2nd) the groundhog, or woodchuck, comes out of hole after winter hibernation to look for its shadow. If the shadow is  seen , it's a sunny day. And the groundhog foretells 'six more weeks of bad weather' and thus a lingering winter. But spring is coming if no shadow is seen because of clouds. The groundhog then behaves accordingly. It goes back into the hole if the weather turns bad

   Pongal is a harvest festival-the Tamil equivalent of Thanksgiving.  In an agriculture based civilization, the harvest plays an important part.  The farmer cultivating his land depends on cattle, timely rain and the Sun.  Once a year, he expresses his gratitude to these during the harvest festival.  With the end of the est month of Margazhi (mid December to mid January) the new Tamil month of Thai heralds a series of festivals.  The first day of the month is a festival day known as "Pongal Day".  Pongal means the 'boiling over" of milk and rice during the month of Thai.     The act of boiling over of milk in the clay pot is considered to denote future prosperity for the family.  Traditionally celebrated at harvest time, it is a celebration of the prosperity associated with the harvest by thanking the rain, sun and the farm animals that have helped in the harvest.  Pongal is celebrated by the Indian state of Tamil Ndu as well as Tamils worldwide,

   February's not just about Super Bowl Sunday, Valentines Day and Mardi Gras.  Nope, this month has some pretty interesting days to celebrate to say the least. Serpent Day, February 1st- Go out and pet a snake or if you don't like them. Pet some snake skinned cowboy boots. Purification Day, February 2nd -Go out and wash real well today! Cordova Ice Worm Day, February 3rd -This day is for worms found in icebergs.  Alaska actually has an annual Ice Worm Festival that takes place on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Create a Vacuum Day, February 4th -Go out and clean all of that pet hair and dirt out of your carpets. Disaster Day, February 5th -Might be a good day to stay inside and play scrabble. Lame Duck Day, February 6th- Charles Dickens Day Day, February 7th -One of the best early authors of his time, he wrote "A Christmas Carol", and has had many of his books turned into movies. Man Day, February 7th- Fly a Kite Day