Since the Canadian postal strike knocked Nestlings Press and countless other businesses for a loop in December, the gnomes are still waiting for custom to resume. There is an HST holiday for books, but given that Canada’s postal rates have just skyrocketed, any money collected as a tax (our intractable online system) will be put instead toward postage – as long as those ordering books before Feb. 15/ 2025 agree. (So far they kindly have.) Otherwise, we could tape a loonie to each requested book as a refund.

 

Meanwhile, Christmas/holiday cards that were sent out before the strike are only now trickling in, which makes it difficult for the recipients to return the favour. Nestlings Press has finessed this impasse by sending out Groundhog Day cards instead, celebrating the rodent who sees or doesn’t see his shadow on Feb. 2. (The groundhog was a major player in the Nestlings comic strip, so it’s heartening to witness his return.)

 

The trouble is, there are precious few Groundhog Day carols. Therefore we have written a verse of our own. Feel free to include it in any belated cards you send out.

 

Groundhog Day, as holidays go,

Has somewhat less of a holiday glow.

No Christmas gifts, no Easter eggs,

Just one small rodent on four legs.                                                     

A group of people get together

In hopes he will predict the weather.

His shadow’s there, his shadow’s not,

And that is all the groundhog’s got.

He’s sometimes right, he’s sometimes wrong,

In guessing winter’s short or long.

He may catch pundits unawares.

It’s all a stunt. Nobody cares.

But still, important folks have reckoned

It’s worth observing Feb the Second.

So too-ra-loo and hip hooray.

Please raise a toast to Groundhog Day.