On Groundhog day, the world turns to Punxsutawney Phil for a winter forecast. I am certain fewer people tuned in to see if Phil could see his shadow this year. We all know that winter isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The nine inches of snow that fell in my yard on January 24, 2026 are still there. The sub-zero temperatures have made certain of that.
On the bright side, our lake has frozen solid and I get to watch my neighbors sit outside on the sheet of white beside a hole in the ice, their fishing poles in hand. I’m not certain if they caught anything, because it is too cold for me to watch them for long. Our lake doesn’t freeze solid often enough that anyone has built a little shelter on the ice to sit in while they enjoy ice fishing. If winters continue to be this severe, someone surely will.
Phil, you are so cute
but your chubby shadow says
the white world remains
Photo by Lisa Paul
Copyright ©2026 Lisa Paul. All rights reserved.
Written in response to Host Frank Tassone’s challenge: Ready to root for Team Rodent? Let’s celebrate their effort either way. Write your haibun alluding to Groundhog Day.
New to haibun? The form consists of one to a few paragraphs of prose—usually written in the present tense—that evoke an experience and are often non-fictional/autobiographical. They may be preceded or followed by one or more haiku—nature-based, using a seasonal image—that complement without directly repeating what the prose stated.
A Little Bit of Everything, With Love 
I infer from your haibun that you are not a fan of the cold! But Phil is correct, “the white world remains”
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I was really determined to enjoy this winter, but the last two weeks have been tough. It will get better. I guess Phil’s prediction is only right about 61% of the time, but you are right about this year. Thank you!
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Fascinating insights into a world I’m unfamiliar with.
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Thank you very much, Rosemary.
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I don’t like the cold, but I don’t like darkness….
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So true. Someone said that every day brings us a bit more sun and I love that thought.
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We don’t usually start out thaw till late April- but the fact that it grows closer every day takes some of the sting out of the air!
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Ritual hope is no match for the evidence – 9 inches of snow!
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