It was early one morning and Groundie, whose underground hole is close to the street, was doing his best to find some food. It wasn't easy as  the cars zipped by taking the children to the local school. As he heard their engines, he would speed off as fast as his little legs could carry him!

  "Wow, Groundie, you have no idea how close you are to groundhog heaven!"  I thought to myself.  Yet, he paid no attention to the busy road as he continued his work, back and forth to his little hole. 

Getting out my long, range camera, I began to zoom in on some of his activities and looked up information on what actually this very busy creature was doing so early in the morning!    It seems that he is getting ready for a long winter's nap, like many other of God's creatures.  He needs to fill his belly with food and that takes work and perseverance. A good lesson for everyone to learn!  When Fall is over and the cold weather sets in, his hard work will have been worth all the efforts. 

His cousin, Punxsutawney Phil, up in Pennsylvania will be dragged out of his warm, cozy sleeping place in February on Groundhog Day to entertain thousands of folks up there about the prediction of a short or longer winter!  Not certain how that makes any real difference, but they seem to think so, and a reason to hope for warmer weather to come their way. 

 I think I heard Groundie say, "That's for them...NOT FOR US SOUTHERNERS, who know better! ... or maybe I just misunderstood him.