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Jane D. O'Donoghue
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February 2012
By Jane D. O'Donoghue
PRIME Guest Columnist
When autumn winds nudged leaves, nuts, cones and blossoms through the air and raced with the wind to the ground, Gladys kept after George to help make necessary preparations for winter. But, of course he pleaded there were the football games, and soccer and cross-country finals. He had to watch those. Gladys fumed as she took the rake to do the job herself. George pretended it wasn't happening.
She raked, swept, sputtered and muttered, "Typical. Every year it's the same thing. Plenty of time. What's your rush? Snow won't happen for weeks. He forgets what happened last year. That snow fell for days. We had to burrow deep even to get to our house. Might as well do it myself. Only way to get things done around here."
He sat near the big oak tree and listened to acorns dropping. One just missed his head. Slowly he gathered them into a pile, and admired his hard work for the morning. Later he thought he'd amble to the park and see the football playoffs. He hated to admit to Gladys that he knew the days were getting shorter and she was right to get provisions and be prepared.
He rose and mumbled, "What does she think I am, a Boy Scout? Be prepared, huh! Plenty of time! If she wants to be a martyr, let her. Nag, nag, nag!"
Next morning they were surprised by the frost, then off and on snow flurries. There was still much to be done. Especially needed were staples for the long cold periods of winter. It's not like they lived close to a convenient source of necessary foods.
Reluctantly, George went to check their supplies and store what was needed for food, warmth, and comfort. Gladys smiled and joined him to speed the work. Time was getting short.
Soon the flurries became steady and snow started piling up all over the neighborhood. Finally, assured the comforts to survive for the winter were completed, they ate a hearty meal and snuggled in their home Early one morning Gladys poked George and pleaded, "What's that light in the room? You know I can't sleep when it's so bright. Go check it out."
Dutifully he rose from their cozy spot and climbed to the doorway. There were strange noises coming from the same direction as the light. Finally, he poked his nose out and his ears rang from the shouting all around. Large creatures with tall black things on their heads were holding Cousin Phil by the scruff. He was raised high for all to see. Shocked and scared, George took a look at the bright light in the sky, all the commotion and mumbled to himself, "I'm not hanging around here; I'm going back to bed."
He was weary. Mr. George Groundhog knew when he needed more sleep. He scrambled back to his den, told Gladys about the gathering, the strange creatures, and the bright light. She turned over and said, "When will they ever let us sleep? It's all your Great-Great-Grandfather Phil's fault. He came up from his burrow too early one year, the day was grey, and he decided to start his springtime walk. Nosy folks decided spring had started and this foolishness has gone on ever since and the family keeps naming their young ones Phil!"
"My mother was right, when she said, 'Remember you're marrying a family, not just George.' And of course we had to move to Pennsylvania! Now leave me alone, I'm tired." With that, her snores encouraged him to join her for at least six more weeks. Happy Groundhog Day!
Jane D. O'Donoghue is a Hungry Hill native and retired school librarian. Her writing has appeared in local and regional publications.
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