National Groundhog Day

Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here – 

keeping his paws on the nuts of the world –

February 2nd is National Groundhog Day. Yes, even the groundhogs have a day, hard to believe I know. This is the all important day of knowing if Spring is coming or Winter is staying.
See, they trust us animals for the important things in life.

According to Groundhog Organizers (there is a group!), groundhogs are about 75-90% accurate. Animals rules!

Did you know?
Every year, the largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. They have gathered since 1886 to celebrate this holiday and crowds are as as large as 40,000 humans.

And did you know that in Wiarton, Ontario they even have a statue of groundhog Wiarton Willie!

 

In Atlanta, Georgia (my home town), we have General Beauregard Lee. He lives in a plantation style house at the Yellow River Game Ranch.  He’s been on the computer checking things out and talking to the local weather peeps to get a heads up here 🙂 snort

Humans take this day very serious!

According to folklore, here are the options of the Groundhog:

1. IF it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early.
2. IF it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow thus winter will continue for six more weeks.

 

Boo! – Cemeteries

Cemetery Hill

When I think of places that a lot people died during a lot of fighting, one of the places that come to mind is Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  Cemetery Hill had so many people that died during the Battle of Gettsyburg that it’s hard for me to wrap my mind around it.  There were so many bodies that it was hard to bury everyone in a timely manner.  You can imagine the smell that overcame the land.  There are still reports today of people smelling death.  And you know what they say about unrested bodies, they become ghosts forever looking for redemption.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

A famous cemetery that mom would  like to visit is in Los Angeles, California.  (I know – she’s weird like that.  She finds walking through the cemeteries as calming as walking on a beach.  Go figure – she’s my mom.)  Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the final resting place of many celebrities over the years.   I’ll need to break down a listing of more important graves here later on in the month.  For now though, let’s concentrate on some hauntings of the cemetery.  A famous person known to haunt here is Clifton Webb.  People at the cemetery claim to hear voices and lights near the Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum.  A story that intrigues me that I’ve seen on television numerous times is the crypt of Rudolph Valentino.  For years on the anniversary of his death, a lady dressed in black would be seen wearing a veil to cover her face at his crypt leaving a single red rose.  No one really knew for sure who this person was and still today the tradition of leaving a single red rose continues on his anniversary.

Bonaventure Cemetery

And I must end this stroll through the cemeteries at one of mom/dad’s most famous places in Savannah, Georgia at Bonaventure Cemetery.  Did you know that this cemetery had the “Bird Girl” statue that is the photograph of the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?  I say had now because it has since been moved to a museum nearby but there are still some amazing tombs and headstones left.  Mom/dad have spent multiple days and hours strolling through and visiting with the folks still there.  One of the famous haunts is of little Gracie Watson who died of pneumonia when she was only six years old.  Currently they have her grave fenced off… is that to keep people from touching her little statue or from keeping little Gracie from touching you?   There’s also the hell hounds that local legend have talked about.  People claim to hear them snarling but no one ever sees them.  Perhaps they feel the hot breath of a dog on their ankles letting them know they need to step back.  You think?

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet Daisy

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

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❤ NOTE – Daisy will be checking in throughout the day for any messages/comments.  Let’s show her some love my friends. ❤

Name:  Daisy

Age:  A Lady never tells her age!  So we guesstimate a year…

Location:  Pennsylvania….a long way from Tennessee (where I was born)! I was rescued from a high-kill shelter.

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents? Is this really it?  Am I in my forever home?  Will they put up with all my shenanigans?  Will they keep me, even though I am a tad under the weather right now?  (THEY ARE!!!)

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?  When I attacked my new brother and they did not throw me out!

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?   One moment?…well there have been quite a few…I seem to have a penchant for knocking glass things off tables.  I have broken two so far.  

 Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why? Hmmm, I think it is really pretty equal.  Mom puts up with some things and Dad others.  But, Dad does keep telling Mom when I do something naughty …” aw she’s just a kitten!”

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?   That I am a real push over because of my beauty!  That I suffer from blonde syndrome….well don’t mess with me.  I am beautiful, smart, cunning and  charming!  And I will use all my wiles to get exactly what I want!

♥

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Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition!

 

Happy Groundhog Day!!

 

Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

“Keeping my paws on the nuts of the world!”

.

.

Today, February 2nd is Groundhog Day.    According to folklore, there are two options that could happen today:

If it’s cloudy when the groundhog emerges and he doesn’t see his shadow, then spring will be right around the corner; but

If it’s sunny when the groundhog emerges, he does *see* his shadow and retreats back into his burrow, then winter will continue for six more weeks.

The largest groundhog day celebration takes place every year in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Personally, I hope that spring is right around the corner.  I could go for some warmer weather here at the Hotel Thompson.  And I know that oinker Bacon would enjoy it.

Good luck on whatever you want.   I’ll be back soon!

 

Spotlight Thursday – Meet Mollie

Spotlight Thursday

Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY.  This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better.  Some of them, you may already know.  We hope that you enjoy this series!

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Name:  Mollie

Age:  13 maybe – but ladies don’t always tell the truth

Location:  Pennsylvania

Web/Blog Page:  www.coffeekatblog.com

What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents?  It was scary. I was in a little cage with my baby boy in a room with dozens of other cats. It was noisy. This lady came and took me out of the cage and tried to cuddle me. I jumped down and hid behind the trash bin. She wouldn’t take no for an answer and came to take me home. She tried to adopt my baby boy too but someone else wanted him. I thought she was crazy but I kept an eye on her from my hiding places.

♥

What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home?  I got really sick right after I was adopted. I was hospitalized for a week and when she came to pick me up I knew I was going to stay at that place with fluffy beds and secret hiding places. She talked about big vet bills but I had no idea what that was.

What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home?   When I first came home I was too sick to have the “spay” operation. Mom wanted to wait a few weeks until I was strong again but I went into heat and caterwauled all night. Yep, all night long. Jake, an older black cat who lived there, was terrified. He didn’t know what I wanted even though I flicked my tail and showed him my “goods.” He hid under the bed. Mom said he was neutered very young so he didn’t know the facts of life. A few nights of that and I was scheduled the next week!

 Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why?  Mom of course. Dad is the best masseuse but Mom spends more time with me and makes sure I’m happy.

What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you?  I’m little, only 7 lbs. The other two cats here are 12 and 15 lbs. Most people don’t know that I am the alpha cat and rule the roost. If I’m not happy ain’t no one happy.

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Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition!

 

31 Days of Spook – Cemetery Hill, Hollywood Forever Cemetery and Bonaventure Cemetery

Tonight it’s raining hard in the cemetery.  I want to finish what I believe are some famously eerie and interesting cemeteries.  So put on your raincoat and straighten your spine.  Be prepared to be spooked!

When I think of places that a lot people died during a lot of fighting, one of the places that come to mind is Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  Cemetery Hill had so many people that died during the Battle of Gettsyburg that it’s hard for me to wrap my mind around it.  There were so many bodies that it was hard to bury everyone in a timely manner.  You can imagine the smell that overcame the land.  There are still reports today of people smelling death.  And you know what they say about unrested bodies, they become ghosts forever looking for redemption.

A famous cemetery that mom would like to visit is in Los Angeles, California.  (I know – she’s weird like that.  She finds walking through the cemeteries as calming as walking on a beach.  Go figure – she’s my mom.)  Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the final resting place of many celebrities over the years.   I’ll need to break down a listing of more important graves here later on in the month.  For now though, let’s concentrate on some hauntings of the cemetery.  A famous person known to haunt here is Clifton Webb.  People at the cemetery claim to hear voices and lights near the Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum.  A story that intrigues me that I’ve seen on television numerous times is the crypt of Rudolph Valentino.  For years on the anniversary of his death, a lady dressed in black would be seen wearing a veil to cover her face at his crypt leaving a single red rose.  No one really knew for sure who this person was and still today the tradition of leaving a single red rose continues on his anniversary.

And I must end this stroll through the cemeteries at one of mom/dad’s most famous places in Savannah, Georgia at Bonaventure Cemetery.  Did you know that this cemetery had the “Bird Girl” statue that is the photograph of the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?  I say had now because it has since been moved to a museum nearby but there are still some amazing tombs and headstones left.  Mom/dad have spent multiple days and hours strolling through and visiting with the folks still there.  One of the famous haunts is of little Gracie Watson who died of pneumonia when she was only six years old.  Currently they have her grave fenced off… is that to keep people from touching her little statue or from keeping little Gracie from touching you?   There’s also the hell hounds that local legend have talked about.  People claim to hear them snarling but no one ever sees them.  Perhaps they feel the hot breath of a dog on their ankles letting them know they need to step back.  You think?

So that ends our walk through the cemetery my friends.  Did you get chilled?  Did you get scared?  Perhaps you should check your shoes.  Mom did and this is what she found on her boots.

 

Patriot Day – In Memory

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 15 years but we will never forget.  

No one will ever be the same after this date.

Life changed.  Families changed.  Times changed.

Let us not just think of the United States on this date.  Of the 2,977 victims that lost their lives on this sad day, 373 of them were foreign nationals that worked at the World Trade Center in different offices.

This date touched the world.  The day might have darkened 09/11 but not destroyed us.  We as in the world came out stronger.  We as in the world came out more united.  We as in the world came out.

In memory of all of the victims that lost their lives on this sad day, you will never be forgotten.  You live on in our lives and always will.

Stay strong my friends.  Stay united!

 

Happy Groundhog Day!! – Update!

 Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

“Keeping my paws on the nuts of the world!”

.

Today, February 2nd is Groundhog Day.    According to folklore, there are two options that could happen today:

• If it’s cloudy when the groundhog emerges and he doesn’t see his shadow, then spring will be right around the corner; but
• If it’s sunny when the groundhog emerges, he does *see* his shadow and retreats back into his burrow, then winter will continue for six more weeks.

The largest groundhog day celebration takes place every year in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Personally, I hope that spring is right around the corner.  I could go for some warmer weather here at the Hotel Thompson.  And I know that oinker Bacon would enjoy it.

Good luck on whatever you want.   I’ll be back soon!  Oh and P.S.  Some channels on the television are showing the movie Groundhog Day on repeat all day.  Is there any day that you would like to repeat like in Groundhog Day?

U P D A T E –

This was the view this morning going to work – was there any doubt that the groundhog would NOT see his shadow?   So here in Hotatlanta – would are in for an Early Spring.

I don’t know about you my friends but I’m all for that!

 

 

31 Days of Spook – Cemeteries Continued

Tonight it’s raining hard in the cemetery.  I want to finish what I believe are some famously eerie and interesting cemeteries.  So put on your raincoat and straighten your spine.  Be prepared to be spooked!

When I think of places that a lot people died during a lot of fighting, one of the places that come to mind is Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  Cemetery Hill had so many people that died during the Battle of Gettsyburg that it’s hard for me to wrap my mind around it.  There were so many bodies that it was hard to bury everyone in a timely manner.  You can imagine the smell that overcame the land.  There are still reports today of people smelling death.  And you know what they say about unrested bodies, they become ghosts forever looking for redemption.

A famous cemetery that mom would like to visit is in Los Angeles, California.  (I know – she’s weird like that.  She finds walking through the cemeteries as calming as walking on a beach.  Go figure – she’s my mom.)  Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the final resting place of many celebrities over the years.   I’ll need to break down a listing of more important graves here later on in the month.  For now though, let’s concentrate on some hauntings of the cemetery.  A famous person known to haunt here is Clifton Webb.  People at the cemetery claim to hear voices and lights near the Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum.  A story that intrigues me that I’ve seen on television numerous times is the crypt of Rudolph Valentino.  For years on the anniversary of his death, a lady dressed in black would be seen wearing a veil to cover her face at his crypt leaving a single red rose.  No one really knew for sure who this person was and still today the tradition of leaving a single red rose continues on his anniversary.

And I must end this stroll through the cemeteries at one of mom/dad’s most famous places in Savannah,
Georgia at Bonaventure Cemetery.  Did you know that this cemetery had the “Bird Girl” statue that is the photograph of the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?  I say had now because it has since been moved to a museum nearby but there are still some amazing tombs and headstones left.  Mom/dad have spent multiple days and hours strolling through and visiting with the folks still there.  One of the famous haunts is of little Gracie Watson who died of pneumonia when she was only six years old.  Currently they have her grave fenced off… is that to keep people from touching her little statue or from keeping little Gracie from touching you?   There’s also the hell hounds that local legend have talked about.  People claim to hear them snarling but no one ever sees them.  Perhaps they feel the hot breath of a dog on their ankles letting them know they need to step back.  You think?

So that ends our walk through the cemetery my friends.  Did you get chilled?  Did you get scared?  Perhaps you should check your shoes.  Mom did and this is what she found on her boots.

 

Patriot Day – In Memory

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 14 years but we will never forget.  

No one will ever be the same after this date.

Life changed.  Families changed.  Times changed.

Let us not just think of the United States on this date.  Of the 2,977 victims that lost their lives on this sad day, 373 of them were foreign nationals that worked at the World Trade Center in different offices.

This date touched the world.  The day might have darkened 09/11 but not destroyed us.  We as in the world came out stronger.  We as in the world came out more united.  We as in the world came out.

In memory of all of the victims that lost their lives on this sad day, you will never be forgotten.  You live on in our lives and always will.

Stay strong my friends.  Stay united!