We start the month with a rodent trying to predict the weather. Of course, I am referring to Punxsutawney Phil, who gets his 15 minutes of fame every February 2 when this eighth or tenth generation woodchuck is pulled out of his burrow. Yes, groundhogs are also known as woodchucks, and young groundhogs may be called chucklings.
Regardless, in Rochester, NY we know February is still winter. Phil has nothing to do with it. We received some tangible proof yesterday with a 22” snowfall in some of the Rochester burbs and sidewalks impassable downtown.
But this year, February 2 marked a more significant event: The date the 2015 Campaign for Justice hit its $280,000 goal. These few days into February, the grand total pledged is $283,555. With another 6 weeks until the campaign ends, we can hope to see that total dollar pledge grow even more.
For me, February 2 this year (and every year) is special because the duration of daylight finally reaches 10 hours again – a benchmark left behind in early November. There is too much darkness for three months and at last February starts to feel brighter. Add a few metric tons of snowflakes, and the brightness lasts beyond sunset. So let’s celebrate another CFJ goal met! And while doing so, let’s follow up with the last of the pledge requests we may have initiated, and get the campaign wrapped up by March 31 – when we can perhaps start thinking about the end of winter.