Ground Hog’s Day is a traditional holiday that goes way back, centuries in fact, probably to the ancient Celts. The ground hog is also known as Marmota monax, or simply a marmot. Other names for the mammal include woodchuck, land beaver, whistler and even whistle-pig.

 In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, they celebrate the official Groundhog Day with a ground hog that publicly either sees its shadow or it does not. The animal is known each year as “Punxutawney Phil.” If you can remember that name, you’ve got a better memory than most.

As a child I learned a poem that went: How much wood can a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? In 2003 a man named Don Yoder wrote the book Groundhog Day, which explains the ancient traditions of this sort-of holiday. I have also watched the film Groundhog Day several times, in which the main character, played by Bill Murray, has to relive Ground Hog’s Day over and over again … until he finally gets his life right!

 Because January, in my opinion, seems to be the dullest and most depressing month of year, I love it when Ground Hog’s Day comes. Plus, it’s my daughter-in-law’s birthday, along with a few other lightworker friends I know whose birthday happens to fall on that particular day, or a day or two after. There’s something about crossing the “halfway” line that boosts your confidence that you’re going to
make it through the rest of Winter!

 In Colorado, where I live, however, winter is not over until April of May. We get most of our heavier snowstorms in March and April, which is kind of a drag if you’re all excited about starting a garden or – in my case – wanting to put in a new lawn in my backyard where there is currently only dirt (soon to be mud!).

 Having something to look forward to in life is important. With so much turmoil happening in our world right now, the best thing we can do, individually, is keep our vibrations high by focusing on those things that bring us joy and hope. Planning for spring is one thing. Having a goal!

Because I get so darn busy during spring, summer and fall, winter is the ideal time for me to work on creative projects. For instance, I have an “art room” in my house, which used to be the guest bedroom. But I haven’t housed any “guests” for almost two years now. So I sold the bed that was in there, taking up room, and set up my art studio, hoping I would get inspired to do some painting. This used to be
something I loved doing, especially when my late husband was alive as he enjoyed painting pictures, many of which are framed and hang throughout my house.

However, I can’t seem to bring myself to that point. And I don’t understand why that is. I think perhaps the energy is wrong. After this issue goes to press, I’m going to move “the energy” around and bring in some “inspiration.” Working on art is relaxing, it’s not supposed to be a fear – such as thinking, “I’m not good at this anymore,” or “I’m not feeling very inspired.” It’s like a writer’s block.

Well, we all get blocked at times. I’m in a sort of “writer’s block” at the moment with one of my Young Adult novels. I got several chapters into it during November, and then other priorities cropped up in my life, and now it just sits … waiting for me to “get inspired” about it again. With art, the surroundings and the vibes have to be just right with me. Some people I know can simply sit down, pick up a pencil, and start drawing. But I feel blocked right now.

 After this issue goes to press, I’ve decided that I’m going to rearrange that room once again. I’m thinking it’s too dark in that room. I can’t draw or paint without some good light coming in. My late husband used to paint a small travel trailer he kept just for that purpose, in which he had converted into his own private studio. I know that I will need to figure out a way to create my own space for doing art.

 In the meantime, however, there is something more to look forward to … winter blending into spring … the arrival of those songbirds I love … watching the buds on the trees and the new growth of plants in my yard. Mud … well, that’s just part of Spring in the Rockies. So I might as well sit back, rest and enjoy the passing of wintertime, which is a great time to do a lot of reading (and writing), baking cookies (warms up the house), cleaning out closets (discovering things I had forgotten I even had!) and enjoying music while I have the time to play it.

The next time The Star Beacon comes out, it will be Spring here in Colorado. The cycle begins again. Every month, week and day needs to be celebrated in a world that is ever changing, but with hope and faith and gratitude for all we have and what we can be.