Groundhog Day and Other Funny Festivals!

I was surfing the net this morning and news is rife about the Punxsutawney Phil Ground hog, after seeing his shadow this morning during the 126th annual Groundhog Day festivities they predict they have six more weeks of winter!

This furry little critter is celebrated every February 2nd in Canada and the United States.  It is believed that if on this day the groundhog comes out of his burrow then Spring will arrive early but if the furry little fellow sees it's shadow it will think 'nah it's too bloody cold I am going back to sleep for another six weeks' and winter will be a bit longer finishing!

I love folklore tales and I wonder how much truth is in this one.  Does the Groundhog get it right that's what I want to know.  Groundhog Day is steeped in tradition even down to the language that must be spoken on the day which is Pennsylvania German and if you don't speak it, it could cost you a tidy fortune because every time you open your mouth in English the penalty is a nickel in the pot per word spoken!!

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of 'Groundhog Day' was that funny Bill Murray film made a good few years ago now.  Do you remember?  He just keep waking up on the same day over and over again and the day was Groundhog Day.

The pictures of the celebrations all over the States and Canada got me thinking about folklore all over the world.  Definitely worth a google search this subject, there are some truly weird holidays!!

The funniest for me has to be, well actually it's a toss up between the Tomatina festival in Spain where in late August the city shuts down as the entire population embarks upon the world's largest tomato fight. Next up for me is the Songkran Festival – Thailand basically a free for all water fight (my kids would love this one!!) and lastly (love this one) festival of the pig - in France contestants from all over country gather to imitate the noises and behaviours of pigs - question is which contestant will 'hog' the limelight (sorry!!)

One of my favourites and one I thought we might promote on our facebook page is 'Random Acts of Kindness Day' The idea is simple you do a few random things for other people out of kindness.  An altruistic act although I  had this conversation with someone, it's actually very hard to do a truly altruistic act, I read once the only true altruistic being on the planet was the humble bumble bee.

Always celebrated on February 17th this is one worth celebrating and seems to be gathering momentum with schools and fundraisers cropping up all over the world.  There is even a very cool website http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

This would be an awesome holiday to get the kids involved in to promote the value of kindness and thought for others.

To finish did you know it's officially 'Give a kid a smile day?' Well don't forget to honour this week and present your child with a big smile today - but hey we don't need a reason to do that !!

Have a good day folks!

Kate x