SUNDAY FUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

 SUNDAY FUNDAY  

FEBREUAY 4, 2024

It is FEBRUARY 2024.  This is a special February of 29 days, which happens every four years.  

GROUNDHOG DAY RESULTS. Groundhog Day is a tradition observed in the United States and Canada on February 2 of every year starting in the 16th century. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den, and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early.

Studies have found no consistent association between a groundhog seeing its shadow and the subsequent arrival time of spring-like weather.

The Groundhog Day ceremony held at Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania, centering on a semi-mythical groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil, has become the most frequently attended ceremony.

Up north - six more weeks of winter - is common.  Six weeks from February 2nd is March 8th.  Technically, the Spring Equinox is March 19 - so whether Phil sees his shadow or night, in six weeks, it will be more springlike in Pennsylvania (and the Northeast part of the United States).  

And, it was a cloudy day and Phil did not see his shadow!!!

Maybe the best thing to come out of Groundhog’s Day is the 1993 Comedy Movie starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, and Chris Elliott.  

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February has other interesting days.

Lincoln’s Birthday (and my niece, Amy) - February 12th
Super Bowl - February 11th (San Francisco Fortyniners versus the Kansas City Chiefs)
Valentine’s Day - February 14th
Ash Wednesday - Also on February 14th this year
Abby and Leah - Twin Granddaughters - February 20th (turning 11 this year)
Washington’s Birthday - February 22th
President’s Day - February 19th
Full Moon - February 24th

(Old Math fact - how do you remember the square root of 3?  It is the same as George Washington’s birthday!!  Washington was born in 1732, and the square root of 3 is 1.732).

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DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?

Recent study:

“As the world’s population ages, health experts are bracing for higher rates of age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

Finding new ways to diagnose the condition is more of a priority than ever since new treatments work best earlier in the course of the disease.”

Would you want to know if you are a possible candidate for dementia? 

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There are other diseases that can be identified by various tests.  Two years ago, I found out I had “osteopenia.” 

Osteopenia is a clinical term for a decrease in bone mineral density. It means your bones are weak but strong enough not to break easily during a fall.  It was one of the reasons I stopped playing Granny Basketball (although I am the “official” scorekeeper.)

So, knowing that diagnosis, I want to be careful of falling. 

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TAX SEASON IS UPON US!!  

Free tax help from AARP is available at many places around the United States.  (Why pay for Turbo Tax, or a CPA to do your taxes when you can get the service free.)

I have at least three friends that help with AARP Tax!!!

And, Next Sunday is the Super Bowl - Kansas City Chiefs versus the San Francisco 49ers!! (My preference as a former midwesterner is Kansas City)

Have an awesome week!!