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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Muskrat Day

Here it is Muskrat Day again on the Eastern Shore. For those of you who may not know it, there are no groundhogs on the Shore, so we look to our favorite local rodent, the Muskrat.

Last year we debunked a popular fairy tale with this post:
For those of you who still believe in the Tooth Fairy, the Jersey Devil, or Wabba Bushby, please protect your bubbles because our latest discoveries may burst them. It has finally and indisputable been proven that the infamous Pungoteague Possum (actually a porcupine in drag) and Paxutauny Phil, who was arrested early this morning on Substance Abuse charges as he staggered out of his hole (alcohol level of .025), are meteorological charlatans. Both have also been charged with pulling the fur over the public’s eyes for years. This leaves the only accurate small mammalian weather prognosticators being the Marshall and Mandy Muskrat of Rat Trap Creek….
To verify these claims, this year there is photographic proof that the Rat Trap Muskrats have correctly predicted this springs outlook (without the aid of mind altering substances or tacky tasteless costumes) for many years. Admittedly they did go back into their holes this year….. BUT unlike other Weather Watchers, our committee was patient and waited before jumping to erroneous conclusion as to the arrival of spring. Just minutes after scurrying into their dens, Marshall and Mandy Muskrat, unlike the other ‘snake oil’ rodents, reemerged ready for spring complete with beach chairs and umbrellas, and sun screen. We were able to photograph them as they frolicked on Rat Trap Beach….A sure sign that Spring is just around the corner.
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Unfortunately this year the forecast for February 2 is for heavy rain which may cause some tidal flooding along Rat Trap Creek. With this in mind we contacted Marshall and Mandy about their plans and received this e-mail just moments ago.
To: Grenville T. Boyd, Onley Weather Service
From: Marshall Muskrat, Weather Prognosticator
Subject: Spring
Grenville, If you really think we are going to come out in the pouring rain, possibly catching pneumonia or worse just so you can make a silly point you are surely out of your mind. Possibly you have been drinking the creek water that now comes from the Wal-Mart parking lot.
Lets just say spring will be here on time this year and that way we can all stay warm and dry.
Marshall
So there you have it folks. Our muskrat mascots have gone political on us and gave a non-answer of “… spring will be here on time…”

We hope that those of you who are experiencing the latest blizzard get through it safely (we need all the followers we can get!!!!) cause spring is truly ‘just around the corner’.
Grenville

7 comments:

Montanagirl said...

We had -39 this morning - where is spring anyway?

Rusty said...

No sign of the storm here - yet. But I don't expect my local groundhog to show up, and all the local raccoons are fast asleep in some (I Hope) warm place. (Other than my attic, thank you). Nope - winter is here for a while yet - but the deep freeze seems to be over so I'm in 'fingers crossed mode'. ;)) ATB!

Elaine said...

"Spring will be here on time." A perfect answer, and on time is different everywhere. No relying on a groundhog or muskrat forecast here. The snow will be around until the end of April no matter how many shadows might be seen.

diane b said...

We don't have groundhogs or musk rats so how will I know when Spring comes. I know we have to get through summer, autumn and winter first. Grenville, you keep warm now.

grammie g said...

Hey Grenville....You know I hope it is an early spring for you...I have a feeling it has been a "waaaay to long a winter for you already"...lol hahaha!!
You know when you start talking for animals...."thats cause for concern" lol

Out on the prairie said...

Happy Muskrat Day! I could send you a groundhog but he didn't see his shadow.

Anonymous said...

So I just have to wait until some musk rats moves down here from the north then :-) :-)

Have a great day now!
Christer.