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Jack Frost and Old Man Winter have been busy this year

Obviously, it’s not easy to predict the weather.

Obviously, it’s not easy to predict the weather.

None of the woodchucks in various part of Ontario or the marmot in Quebec saw their shadow on February 2, or more commonly referred to as Groundhog Day. This means we will be getting an early spring. Stateside the rodents did see their shadow so they are in for another six weeks of winter weather.

Jack Frost and Old Man Winter have been busy this year Back to video

As I have often said, there is no better place to live than Canada, for a large variety of reasons including smarter groundhogs.

German-speaking Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants brought with them to North America the tradition of predicting spring using hibernating mammals. In their home country a badger was the rodent that would forecast the arrival of spring. Originally in Germany it was a bear but was changed to a badger when bears became less abundant. In some other European countries a fox was used, while in the U.S. and most of Canada the common groundhog became the predictor of spring. Somewhere along the line the time frame went from four weeks to six.

In Nova Scotia, Groundhog Day arrived with German immigrants in the 1750s with the first prediction for North America made in 1987. Some best known rodents are Fred la marmot in Quebec, Manitoba Merv, Winnipeg Wyn, Balzac Billy in Alberta, Nanaimo, B.C. has Chopper and, of course, Wiarton Willie in Ontario.

Accuracy of the predictions range from 25 per cent to 60 per cent depending on which animal is being assessed and which organization is doing the evaluating.

As I awoke on February 2, we had a lovely coating of hoar frost. I received an email from Nancy, manager of the Tillsonburg Seniors Centre, with a link to a site which explained hoar frost as a feathery frost which forms when vapour in the air condenses on hard surfaces to form ice crystals when the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius The word hoar comes from Old English and refers to looking like an old person’s white hair or beard. As the vapour feeds the ice crystals the frost grows.

Another form of ice is called rime ice and is formed when very cold water drops freeze onto surfaces in various wind conditions. It can be milky and sugar-like or transparent, homogeneous or heterogeneous.

Who knew frost could be so interesting? We all know Jack Frost who creates the beautiful designs on our windows. He is a variation of Old Man Winter, the embodiment of ice, snow, frost, sleet and cold, responsible for painting leaves in the fall.

In the 19th Century Jack is portrayed as a sprite-like character, a hero or maker of mischief. He is first referenced in 1732 and is mentioned in a variety of songs and movies over the years.

He is said to be married to Suzy Snowflake. I don’t know how old he was when he met her or how old she was when they married. She was first mentioned in the song, Suzy Snowflake, in 1951 sung by Rosemary Clooney. Suzy is a humanized, impish snowflake, who delights in winter fun.

Speaking of frost, did you watch the Grammy’s last week? We are used to big, flashy, production performances and it has become not only acceptable but expected for women to promote themselves by showing more skin than fabric. Men have been resistant remaining suited and tied up for such public occasions.

Way to go Canadian Justin Bieber for showing up on an empty, black stage, alone, in front of the world to sing the coolest song ever, in socks and boxers.

twocentsworth40@gmail.com

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