Aaah, the big game is over and the sun came out. With all the preparation the Phoenix area did for the week of activities preceding the game, it was a shame that the rain for which we usually pray, came so abundantly, and with it came the mud. It didn’t seem to keep anyone from the activities and for that matter; the rain didn’t seem to dampen their spirits. Anyway, the team I rooted for won. I didn’t know I would be rooting for the Patriots until all the hoopla about the deflated balls became so ridiculous. Well, I won’t get into that because that would be like debating politics or religion!
I was going to say that January is here but realized as I write this, that it is already February 2. I didn’t feel up to par on Sunday so since I was a designated tilt-back chair user anyway, I decided to watch. After all these years, I still don’t know football from Lacrosse, but the game was exciting, whatever they were doing.
So with 2-2-2015, comes Groundhog Day. I didn’t even know how to spell Punxsutawney Phil but when I went on the Internet, I discovered lots of other people didn’t know how to spell it either. He did emerge (or was drug out of his warm lair) and he saw his shadow this morning. Seeing his shadow predicts six more weeks of winter. That doesn’t bother me much since I live in AZ but people in PA and the Midwest or along the east coast aren’t too thrilled and according to the weather channel, I can see why. In Punxsutawney, PA, they celebrate regardless, with an annual ceremony, music, festivities, and food.
The groundhog was originally called “Pete,” but apparently some errant writer (You know how they are), wrote the story using the name “Phil.” When called on it, the writer covered by saying that “Pete died. Phil is his son.” Actually, Phil (and all his kin) doesn’t seem to care a whit about any of it but the town dons top hats and tuxedos to celebrate. On TV this morning, Phil looked rather bored by the whole hoopla. After all, he has been doing this since 1887.
Nothing exciting is happening in my specific part of the world. I’m writing a 5th edition to my RVing Alaska and Canada book. Rewriting is always more complicated than it sounds because you have to check everything so thoroughly. This time “new” will be an e-book and I probably won’t do a print book. Technology reigns. Hope you are enjoying the New Year. God Bless until next week.
Winter in the Wilderness, the first e-book novel published by Minshall, is offered at most Internet book sites. A print edition may be obtained from Amazon, or you can order an autographed copy from the author at Box 1040, Congress, AZ for $7.95 plus $3.50 for postage and handling.
The fourth edition of RVing Alaska and Canada is available through Amazon.com.
At 45, Widow Minshall began 20 years of solo full-time RVing throughout Alaska, Mexico, and Canada. Sharlene canoed the Yukon, mushed sled dogs, worked a dude ranch, visited Hudson Bay polar bears, and lived six months on a Mexican beach. She lectured at Life on Wheels, published six RV-related books and wrote a novel, “Winter in the Wilderness.”
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