Dear Cousin Punxsutawney Phil,

Once again, mid-winter is near, and it’s time to send you my annual greetings. Hope you and the family are alright and enjoying life at the edge of the meadow; any more offspring coming along? Here in Canada, winter has been quite miserable so far; much too cold in some areas and far too warm in others. Just can’t rely on Mother Nature anymore. What a change from the good old days. But, as you know, winter ain’t over until the blizzards are replaced by warm spring rains. Some climatologists in Germany say it’s getting colder because it’s getting warmer, or perhaps the other way around. I find it all a bit confusing but am sure it’s very scientific. In any event, whether warming or cooling, we are eagerly looking forward to a fine spring.