Wordless Wednesday - Vintage Valentine Tiger with Grocery Cart

Found at Birdhouse Books

Did You Know Tuesday - Groundhog Day

February 2 is Groundhog Day.  This holiday has been celebrated since 1887.  According to folklore, on this date if it is cloudy, a groundhog will emerge from his burrow and there will be an early spring.  If it is sunny, the groundhog will go back into the burrow, and there will be six more weeks of winter weather.

The most famous groundhog in the United States is Punxsutawney Phil in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.  Phil was named after King Philip.  In Georgia, we have General Beau Lee in Stone Mountain.

The first documented reference to Groundhog Day in the United States is by shopkeeper James Morris in 1841:

"Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate."

Groundhogs are the largest animal in the squirrel family.  They typically are about 20" long, and weigh 12 to 15 pounds.

Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks or whistle pigs.  The name "whistle pig" comes from their whistling behavior.  They whistle when they are alarmed, or when they are courting in spring.

Groundhogs are primarily herbivores, preferring greens, fruits, and vegetables.  They do not drink much water.  They put on weight before hibernating.

They are diurnal animals - active during the day.

Most Groundhog Day organizers claim an accuracy rate of 75% - 95%, although meteorologists insist that this rate is much lower (30% - 40%).

There was a 1993 comedy movie called Groundhog Day about a weatherman (Bill Murray) who gets caught in a time loop while covering Groundhog Day festivities.  

Here is a video of a tame groundhog named Garfield nibbling on some food:



Is there a famous groundhog from your area?  Did he see his shadow today?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Book Spotlight and Giveaway - Murder on Wheels by Lynn Cahoon

Synopsis
The food truck craze has reached the charming coastal town of South Cove, California, but before Jill Gardner—owner of Coffee, Books, and More—can sample the eats, she has to shift gears and put the brakes on a killer . . .

Now that Kacey Austin has got her new gluten-free dessert truck up and running, there’s no curbing her enthusiasm—not even when someone vandalizes the vehicle and steals her recipes. But when Kacey turns up dead on the beach and Jill’s best friend Sadie becomes the prime suspect, Jill needs to step on it to serve the real killer some just desserts.

Author Bio
About The Author New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, Lynn Cahoon is an Idaho native. If you’d visit the town where she grew up, you’d understand why her mysteries and romance novels focus around the depth and experience of small town life. Currently, she’s living in a small historic town on the banks of the Mississippi river where her imagination tends to wander. She lives with her husband and two fur babies.

Author Links
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5857424.Lynn_Cahoon
Twitter – https://twitter.com/LynnCahoon
Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/LynnCahoonAuthor
Website – http://lynncahoon.com/
Amazon Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Cahoon/e/B0082PWOAO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Purchase Links
Amazon    B&N

Giveaway
(2) E-Copy of Murder on Wheels  
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Music Monday - "They Don't Know" by Tracey Ullman (1983)

I loved this song from first listen.  It came out during my college years, and I bought the 45.  (I'm sure I stll have it here!)   I really like the nostalgic, 1960's sound of this 1980's song.  

"They Don't Know" was written and recorded in 1979 by Kirsty MacColl.  In 1983, Tracey Ullman recorded a cover of the song that became very popular in the U.K., and later in the U.S. as well.  (It reached #8 on the Billboard chart.)  The video is lots of fun, with bowling, home movies, some 1970's disco dancing, and a cameo by Paul McCartney.  Later it was a theme song for Tracey Ullman's comedy show, Tracey Takes On.

This song always makes me happy, and I hope you enjoy it too.  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Weekend Window Shopping at Birdhouse Books

Hi vintage friends!

I have more vintage Valentines listed, and over 100 more arriving in my store during the next couple of weeks.  If you love Valentines, please keep checking back:  Birdhouse Books on eBay - click here!

Here's a little preview!

Vintage Valentine with two little mummies, each in a sarcophagus:  "We Were Bound to Be Valentines!"

Vintage Valentine with a drummer bunny rabbit:  "My heart beats for you Valentine."

Vintage Valentine with a cute little girl in a robe:  "Wake Up!  Be Mine - I Love You."

1920's vintage Valentine with a little girl and purple plum:

Vintage Valentine with a little girl and dog:  "This little girl went to market."  1920's era.

1920's vintage Valentine with a little boy holding an orange tabby cat:
 

 Vintage Valentine featuring Romeo and Juliet - unusual!

Vintage Valentine with a wooden toy train:

Vintage Valentine with an owl:  "Who do I want for my Valentine?  You!"

 Vintage Valentine with a cute skunk:  "U odor be my Valentine."

Vintage Valentine with a little mouse beside a man's shirt and tie:  "Valentine - tye up with me.  I'm all yours!"

 Vintage Valentine with a Hawaiian theme.  A little boy climbs a a palm tree, while a girl waits beside the tree.  "Valentine, I'd like to climb into your heart because I'm nuts about you."

I hope you find some vintage goodies here!