May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
May you always have…
enough luck to make you smile,
enough trials to keep you strong,
enough of all life’s treasures
to keep you truly happy.
May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing
Happy Groundhog Day, my dear readers! Talking about Groundhog Day brings me back to my teaching days when every holiday and event on the calendar became a teaching opportunity and something to talk about other than readin’, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic . . . and it always rated a new Bulletin Board!
The tradition of this day goes back centuries and even to the ancient Romans. The early European Christians celebrated Candlemas Day Feb 2nd celebrating Mary’s ritual purification. If the sun came out that day, there would be 6 more weeks of winter. The Europeans watched the hibernating animals like bears and badgers as a tip off to winter’s end. When the Germans immigrated to Pennsylvania in the 1880’s they started keeping an eye on the groundhog as a harbinger of a possible early spring.
And so, the American tradition began and now February 2nd brings the most-watched weather forecast of the year—and the only one led by a rodent.
Legend has it that on this morning, if a groundhog can see its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it cannot see its shadow, spring is on the way.
Speaking of Pennsylvania, “Punxsutawney, PA is home to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, the organization we associate with Groundhog Day due to their iconic tradition of getting dressed up in suits and tails for the annual prediction. Its first celebration was on February 2, 1887 on Gobbler’s Knob, a hill in the city where the prognostication has taken place every year since. Early on it was just a small ceremony in Punxsutawney attended by locals. Now the prognosticating of their mascot, Punxsutawney Phil, is broadcast all over the world.”*
Bill Murray as he appeared in the movie “Groundhog Day”
It’s impossible to talk about Groundhog Day without thinking of Bill Murray’s iconic movie entitled “Groundhog Day“. Murray plays a weatherman out to cover the annual emergence of the groundhog from its hole in Punxsutawney PA. He gets caught in a blizzard that he didn’t predict and finds himself trapped in a time warp living the same day over and over and over again until he gets it right.
He appears opposite the lovely Andi McDowell in the movie which I’m sure will be playing on all the movie channels tonight.
Andie McDowell as she appeared in “Groundhog Day”
Living on the #Monterey Peninsula with the #AT&TProAmGolf Tournament about to begin in Pebble Beach, it’s impossible to think of past tournaments without thinking of Bill Murray and his antics on the course. He was always the live wire who kept it fun for the spectators – from his crazy hats to his hilarious stunts.
In fact, he was horsing around so much with one lady spectator one year she fell into the sand trap!
The fans all loved him.
As I look at the celebrity list of the 2016 golf participants I see Kenny G, Andy Garcia, Huey Lewis, Chris O’Donnell, Mark Wahlberg, Ray Romano (more about him in a future post), but NO #Bill Murray. Perhaps another “character” will emerge from the line-up to take his place – but he is a hard act to follow.
The #2016 AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament will be played in Pebble Beach February 8-14 beginning with practice rounds on the 8th. The actual tournament will be played from Feb 11th – 14th. If you are not able to come to the tournament in person catch the televised Saturday play when all the celebrities will be playing on Pebble Beach Golf Links. You’ll be able to not only see great golf, but you’ll get to experience the amazing views and what we that live here get to experience every day. Who knows, it might even encourage you to move here!
AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament ~ Pebble Beach Golf Links over looking Carmel Beach
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday with family and friends!
This may have been one of my most favorite holiday seasons . . . but then I may say that every year! I am always filled with gratitude for all my many blessings. Just living in this beautiful and awe inspiring place on the Monterey Peninsula I feel very thankful and very blessed. Whether you live in Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, or Monterey, you are living in one of the most beautiful and amazing places on earth.
Pacific Grove coastline
Where else can you go surfing on Christmas Day!
Surfing off Lover’s Point, Pacific Grove, CA
At this time of year we particularly think of others. At our Alain Pinel holiday gathering we not only had fun singing holiday songs, but we also raised over $7000 for the Community Partnership for Youth (CPY) in addition to donating all kinds of toys, balls, legos, art supplies, and learning games for their after school program for at risk youth.
Susan Clark ringing the bell for the Salvation Army in Carmel-by-the-Sea at the Post Office.
The Salvation Army is one of my favorite charities so I was there to ring that bell! People were so generous and gracious.
Sweet Elena’s Apple Pie
As a realtor my gratitude list always has to include my clients – past clients who I have represented over the years and current clients who I am now representing either by selling their home or helping them find their dream home on the Monterey Peninsula. December 12th I had a Pie-Give-Away party to say THANK YOU for some of my local clients and gifted each one with a Sweet Elena’s pie. All had smiles on their faces as they left with their beautiful and delicious pie!
The only thing left to say is Happy New Year 2016!
Happy New Year!
May you have a New Year filled with love, health, prosperity, and joy!
As a realtor at Alain Pinel -Carmel I am blessed to work with many wonderful and fabulous clients to represent them in either finding a home in #Carmel, #Pebble Beach, #Pacific Grove, #Monterey or the surrounding area or in selling their home. My gratitude list always has to include these clients for they are an important part of my life. In order to say THANK YOU for their business on December 12th I had a Pie-Give-Away party for some of my clients who live here locally or have second homes here. Each one brought home a Sweet Elena’s pie as a gift from me to enjoy with their family. We all had such a good time at the party enjoying refreshments and libations! Each of my clients had a story to tell the others about our adventures of “house hunting” or selling their homes and there were so many nice things said about me I am sure I was blushing. As we said good-bye, all had smiles on their faces as they left with their beautiful and delicious pie! Thanks again to all my amazing clients!
