Phil, why did you let me down?

I don’t put much stock in old wives tales and the like, choosing science over myth when given a choice.

Unless, of course, it suits me.

And an early spring always suits me.

That’s why, on the second day of February every year for as long as I can remember, I anxiously watch the morning news to see if Punxsatawney Phil has seen his shadow. If so, the story goes, we’re in for six more weeks of winter.

You’d think by now I’d know better.

The Pennsylvania groundhog is only right about half of the time and rarely predicts an early spring. This year is no exception. Phil saw his shadow, and I immedi...