Ben, Late for Groundhog Day Celebration

Ben made it to about 10 miles away from Punxsutawney, in the hinterlands of Pennsylvania. If he had been doing his steps more diligently, he could have made it there for the Groundhog Day festival. This celebration, although it has pagan roots, is not my type of thing. Julie, on the other hand, has experienced it for real after taking a road trip there in the middle of the night in the late 90s with a cohort of friends. I think it is time to move past the use of living groundhogs unless someone can convince me they enjoy the spectacle. Nevertheless, the Groundhog Day film is beyond reproach. Wikipedia says the film has philosophic undertones. If I didn’t try to get into philosophy with the naming of Calvin and Hobbes, I’m not gong to try to be smart today. However, I reserve the right to return to both topics. Meanwhile, John and Julie landed near the Smallwander towns of Medina and Put-in-Bay, OH.

 

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