Within the grip of winter, it is almost impossible to imagine the spring. The gray perished landscape is shorn of color. Only bleakness meets the eye; everything seems severe and edged. Winter is the oldest season; it has some quality of the absolute. Yet beneath the surface of winter, the miracle of spring is already in preparation; the cold is relenting; seeds are wakening up. Colors are beginning to imagine how they will return. Then, imperceptibly, somewhere one bud opens and the symphony of renewal is no longer reversible. From the black heart of winter a miraculous, breathing plenitude of color emerges.
~ John O’Donohue
(To Bless the Space Between Us)
Groundhog Day was one of our favorite holidays. We had a tradition of taking our groundhog stuffy outside to see (or to not see) his shadow. We named him Basil (Wasyl) after my grandfather, who was born in Ukraine on February 2, 1882. By 2014 Basil had a companion, who was at first named Basil, Jr. At some point Tim, with his endless sense of humor, started calling the little one Oregano, and it stuck.
I cannot bear to continue this tradition without my beloved. So I decided to dig up some of the pictures I took of it over the years, in memory of Tim. I am definitely within the grip of winter, the one outside and a winter of grief. I still can’t imagine how a future without him will ever feel like spring.
this turned out to be our last Groundhog Day together
(2023, Essex Ed Groundhog Day Parade)
(2014, Essex Ed Groundhog Day Parade)
Basil, Oregano and I will stay inside and light a candle this year.
I am lighting my candles this morning with you. This is a beautifully written post, Barbara. I wonder what bird will visit your deck this morning and if you received any snow?
Sunday I noticed my towering live oak tree was speckled with brown leaves among mostly green leaves and brown specked were gently falling for the first time this winter and I woke to vertigo as the oak allergy began once again. That is when I knew it will be an early spring for 2026. Will be interesting to learn if Punxsutawney Phil agrees with me. 🕯️💙
On Feb 2 2026 at 7:45 am central time, Miss Acorn did not see her shadow which signifies an early spring. Miss Acorn agrees with me, Barbara. And a hummingbird visited the porch feeder at the same time! 🕯️💙
Thank you, Teri, it was very nice knowing that you were celebrating with us. ♡ We had snow over the weekend, about 4 inches. It’s pretty! Our local groundhogs saw their shadows and so we will brace ourselves for six more weeks of winter. Brrrr… Sorry about your oak allergy – it’s always something, isn’t it? But I’m glad you will have an early spring and therefore much more time to enjoy your hummingbirds! 💙
Perhaps the snow lightened your heart a bit. 4”s is a perfect amount! Pretty to see and really no shovel required as it will quickly melt. Are you still using your deck bird bath?Are the winters there in NC harder for you than winters in Connecticut?
The odd thing about my Vertigo started after my ICU hospitalization 3 years ago and I’ve really never had an allergy to oak trees, so I don’t truly know what is causing my Vertigo issue. It is annoying!
I’m hosting the Rufous hummingbirds that are migrating from Alaska to Mexico now. We usually do not get Rufous here. So it’s a treat. The Ruby-throated hummingbirds don’t come until May – November. This is extra work and extra fun. I won’t see them for very long. 💙
Aw, what a good picture of your Tim that last photo is! I don’t know about you, but I feel that grief is definitely more pronounced during Winter. Perhaps because both of my parents died during the winter months, I feel their absence more strongly now. And despite what the groundhog said, eventually Spring will arrive. Hang onto your memories, Barbara, and know your Tim is never far from your heart!
Thank you, Debbie! I found another photo from 2023, the one he used on his Facebook profile, and added it to the post this morning. Another good memory, that day, to hang on to. I agree with you, I think winter does highlight the quiet thoughts one has while grieving. When spring arrives I think the way I’m grieving will change with the season.
💔 😔 🙏🏼
Thank you, Eliza. 🙏🏼
What a Beautiful picture of Tim with the Basels. Thank goodness for photos. Much love to you Barbara.
Yes, thank goodness! When we take a picture we never know how much it will come to mean to us someday.
I like the image that you used Barbara as well as all the photographs which I remember you sharing on previous Groundhog Day posts. I thought of you this morning with all the hoopla of “will he or won’t he see his shadow?” as I remembered you and Tim and your pals always making the rounds every Groundhog Day. It was a fun tradition for you both and sadly one that is now reduced to looking at photographs and remembering those good times. Our Michigan Groundhog saw her shadow, just like Pugsatawney Phil did – it was that one or two seconds the sun popped out as the rest of the day it was cold, snowy and cloudy. Hugs {{{ }}}.
I added another picture to the post this morning, from the 2023 parade in Essex, CT. I never wrote a post about that one but Tim used that picture of himself at the parade for his cover photo on Facebook. So many happy memories of Groundhog Day with our stuffys and I’ve probably forgotten half of them. I certainly didn’t photograph all of them. Thank you so much for the big hugs – they are so appreciated. ♡ After having a candlelit dinner with Basil & Oregano we settled into the recliner to watch TV, and I kept hugging them. ♡
I came back to the post to see the picture you referenced and it made me smile seeing Basil and Oregano peeking out of Tim’s coat. I think it is nice you had a parade to celebrate Groundhog Day. Those are nice memories and I’m glad you remembered the picture Tim used for his cover photo on Facebook to add to your post.
I remember Tim’s adorable little groundhogs! I’m glad you have these wonderful memories.