Groundhog Day
Posted by Elizabeth
In case you forgot, today is Groundhog Day, the day when we discover if we’re in for an early spring or doomed to suffer the slings and arrows of a late winter. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of Groundhog Day, maybe because it reminds me of that insufferable movie circa 1993 starring Andie McDowell and Bill Murray, where a weatherman is doomed to repeat the same day over and over (and over) again, which, as a change-a-holic, is pretty much my worst nightmare. Truth be told, I never understood what those two things – repeating a day and a traditional rodent – had much to do with one another, but, now that I think of it, Groundhog Day does seem particularly suited to people who appreciate comfortable routine. I mean, is it me or does Puxatony Phil seem to see his shadow, sending him racing back into his hidey hole, more often than not?
Phil has always struck me as somewhat of a scaredy cat – maybe someone who’s a little afraid of change? Rather than bravely facing the daylight and the possibility of a new season, he often retreats to the comfort of his warm, safe burrow, prolonging the inevitable. How many of us are like Phil, clinging to the changing seasons of our life with a death grip, trying our hardest to hang onto the shut-in nature of winter when spring, with its new life and beginnings, is at our doorstep? How many of us hold onto a season past its prime, rather than face the turn of the calendar with grace? Given Phil’s propensity for dodging the new season, Groundhog Day seems perfectly crafted for the world’s change-phobes, wanting to hang on to the comfortable, old way just a little bit longer.
This winter has felt especially interminable; I don’t think I’ve ever been more ready for a spring in my entire life. I was delighted to receive a seed catalog in the mail last week whose pages were splashed with colorful photos of heirloom vegetables, the first tender sign of spring. As someone who is always chomping at the bit for the next new thing, I sincerely hope Phil doesn’t see his shadow. Although I can’t help but wonder, in my fervent desire to cut winter short and push through to the next season, if I am any better than Phil, who insists on hanging onto winter? Maybe, rather than preparing to banish or cling to a season, we need a day to remember what’s good about this time of year — even if it’s sometimes hard to see — to remind us to be in the moment?
Are you a fan of Groundhog Day (the movie or the holiday)? Do you root for Phil for see his shadow or not? Am I crazy, or does Groundhog Day seem uniquely suited to the world’s change-phobes?
I have to mention – because when else am I going to mention this? – that I have a friend whose mother loves Groundhog Day so much that she throws a party every year. I have always wondered if she’s able to find Phil-themed paper products.
UPDATE: Once again, that scaredy cat Phil saw his shadow; six more weeks of winter in 2010 folks.
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:53 am
Well, I have to out myself as a BIG fan of the movie Groundhog Day. As the change-phobe around here, maybe that’s not surprising. As far as the movie goes, I’ve always interpreted it as a movie about redemption and starting over. But as for the holiday? Even as a change-phobe, I LOVE the change of seasons.
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:30 am
Anne took the words right out of my mouth: both about the movie and about a change-phobe’s love of the changing seasons.
But I wonder: the seasons always change, right? (At least for those of us living in climates where they do.) So maybe part of being a change-phobe is counting on that change. And a break from that change would shake a change-phobe more than if the seasons stayed the same?
Too esoteric? Sorry. Only on my first cup of coffee…
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:35 am
I’m with Anne, I love that movie. I love that Bill M’s character takes stock of his life and breaks the spell by changing – letting go of his cynicsm and sarcasm and allowing the positive aspects of his character shine through.
Groundhog Day always reminds me that I have to hurry up and get my garden pruning done – Valentine’s Day is the deadline (here)! Winter dormancy doesn’t last very long where shrubs are concerned.
Thanks for another excellent essay!
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:11 am
Well I will admit I hated the movie. I think that is the only movie I ever walked out on and in 16 years I have refused to watch it again.
This could also be that I am savoring being pregnant and not wanting to let that go, but that is a whole other post.
Now the holiday, I don’t think about it much. I didn’t even know today was ground hog day until I read it here, but does that mean I am living in my own hole? I just think the seasons will change when they are ready no matter what animal sees a shadow or not or how badly I want to be getting my hands dirty in my new back yard.
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:48 am
Groundhog Day, the holiday? Not a fan. Phil always sees his shadow. And even if he doesn’t, when have you ever known spring to show up in early February? Never. That’s when.
Groundhog Day, the movie? Big fan. The idea that we get mulligans until we do it right is so heartening. And the idea that we can behave atrociously without consequences in the interim is a fun fantasy.
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:51 am
Wow, and here I was, assuming that EVERYONE hated the movie Groundhog Day. This is eye-opening, people.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:05 am
I heart that movie but I do not heart winter. LIving on the blustery east coast I inevitably begin cursing our move away from California at this time of year.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:32 am
I couldn’t stand the movie Groundhog Day the first time I saw it. Which I think will also be the last time. But it IS interesting that it has such, shall we say, rabid fans.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:36 pm
I have to admit – I loved the movie. Because he got to take his time and discover himself, develope new skills, become a better man – all without paying the precious price of time to do it. Then, when he was awsome, the next day came. And he got the girl.
Life didn’t change, so he did.
But it’s also a movie that, after the first few times, I got it already! You know?
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:38 pm
P.S. And the first thing I would do if I was Bill Murray – I’d make an effort to learn how to spell.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Groundhog Day, the holiday? I don’t really care about it one way or another, but my partner LOVES Groundhog Day. It’s his favorite “minor holiday” as some of you have already seen from FB.
Groundhog Day, the movie? I’m a fan. Even if Andie McDowell is a HORRIBLE* actress.
*Anne and Gale–that HORRIBLE is just for you!
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:36 pm
I have a list of three actresses I absolutely can’t stand: Andie McDowell is one of them.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Gosh, I love you, Elizabeth! Such impeccable taste
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:27 pm
The LA kid in me loves the seasons. Change four times a year! Be careful not to rush the seasons — you never know what wonderful secrets may be just around the corner.
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Did you hear that PETA wants them to replace Phil with a ROBOT groundhog because they think it’s cruel to expose Phil to all those people/flashing bulbs? I swear…
Andie MacDowell could not act her way out of a box. She single-handedly ruined Four Weddings and a Funeral.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:22 am
Ok – who are the other actresses you can’t stand??? I’m guessing Four Weddings and A Funeral made you vomit? (Is it raining? I hadnt noticed.) If this is a future LiP post then email me – Im curious.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:17 am
Emily, I’m not sure if this will be a LiP post or not someday, but I’ll indulge. My top three most despised actresses are:
#1: Andie McDowell (she gets the #1 spot, hands-down)
#2: Mary Steenburgen (no good reason; she has just always really bugged me. However, since I started watching “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” for which she plays herself in a recurring role, she is slowly working her way off my list.)
#3: Jamie Lee Curtis (nothing to do with her acting abilities. But for a number of years she was the spokesperson for a cell phone company that nearly ruined my life. I can’t think of her without thinking of one of the most nightmarish consumer experiences of my life.)
So there you have it!