Winning Words 2/2/11
“What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn’t one today.” (Phil Connors) Some of you will recognize this as a line from the movie, “Groundhog Day.” One of my quirks is that I try and see this film each Groundhog Day. I sit there and think what it would be like, never to have a tomorrow. We have our yesterdays and our todays, but what will our tomorrows be? Philosophical and theological! ;-) Jack

FROM SCARLETT: "After all, tomorrow is another day." (Gone With the Wind)

FROM TS IN MICHIGAN: Don't know if anyone will be seeing their shadow today, FROM JACK: Groundhog Day always signifies that we're on the downside of winter, regardless of Phil.

FROM RS IN MICHIGAN: The promise of tomorrow always brings hope. I don't want to imagine unhappy or worried people without hope. FROM JACK: What a sad word....HOPE-LESS! What a happy word....
HOPE-FULL!

FROM CS IN WISCONSIN: Did you know that the movie “Groundhog Day” was filmed in Woodstock, IL? Our town was privileged to see much of it filmed on our streets and in our town Square. I was working in a lawyer’s office on the Square and often was sent on bank runs so I could take pictures of exciting scenes being filmed or rehearsed – Bill Murray jumping out of the tower on our Opera House; the ice sculptures being made, Bill stepping into the puddle, etc. Funny stories about visitors to town walking into what they thought was the Rexall Drug Store only to find men and women sitting at desks in a realty business – many storefronts were redesigned for the movie. Another funny story was about a lawyer who was not liked much in town – kind of a smart aleck guy – who parked his vehicle in front of his office early in the morning when townspeople had been warned to stay off the Square because of filming that morning. A film crew placed a PA license plate over his thinking his car was one of the ‘stage’ vehicles. He came down and took off for a trial in Chicago and got picked up on the Interstate for speeding and when they checked his plates got in trouble for having fake plates on his car! Lots of laughs over that one, but he was sure an unhappy guy that morning!!!!! Threatened to sue, but got no where! Woodstock still celebrates Groundhog Day with big doings. FROM JACK: Thanks for the background on that movie.

FROM RI IN BOSTON: From time to time I come across such "philosophical" questions. Not long ago I saw a bumper sticker asking "What if the hokey pokey IS what it's all about?" FROM JACK: Is dancing the Hokey Pokey on your "Bucket List?"

FROM MT IN PENNSYLVANIA: I do recognize it! 'Groundhog Day' is the reason that, around 1998, I started playing music again after over 20 years of absence. I had been a musician/performer and guitar teacher in high school and all through college, but left music behind when glass artwork became my passion. After my 2nd viewing of the movie, it occurred to me that every day, whether you realize it or not, you make choices about who you will be be tomorrow. Phil Connors made some Putting that message in the surrealistic scenario of 'same day all over again' adds mystery and wonder. Phil Connors' music lessons, and their ultimate result, inspired me to start making daily decisions about music. My friend Jay McPhillips is a respected painter and also a published humorist. His book 'Staff Pick' contains many funny, and some rather crude, cartoons and commentary, and one of the pages contains a different wrinkle on Phil's line: "Yesterday, today was tomorrow." FROM JACK: There's stimulation for the brain all around us...even in a movie. Jay's line reminded me of one that is similar: "Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday."

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Gary's favorite movie...watched a hundred times at least. If there was no tomorrow, well, that's okay. If there was no tomorrow we will be in Heaven. I don't have a problem with that at all. Now, living everyday over and over again would be strange. I imagine most people would do exactly what Phil did....morphed into what he actually became...a caring, loving person. FROM JACK: I would imagine that "some" people would do what Phil did.

FROM MOLINER CF: If you don't believe in tomoorow, today is a waste of time. FROM JACK: Whether we believe in tomorrow, or not, it has a way of coming...."ready or not."

FROM SPARTAN JEFF: Tomorrow will be MSU 82, IOWA 69! Go Green! FROM JACK: Iowa is a young team with a new coach and is struggling. You are probably right about "tomorrow."

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: There wasn't a big blizzard today either. My husband thought he would be home all day, so he slept in but late morning his boss called him so he had to readjust--there wasn't enough snow to keep his boss or him from working today. Last night we were thinking the forecasts would be accurate and making our plans for today. We should wait and see if we can see our shadows too. FROM JACK: Forecasts (shadows or otherwise) are not always accurate. TV weathercasting is designed to get out attention, so that we will look at the ads.

FROM BLAZING OAKS: Blazing Oaks! Wow! Does that mean I "sparkle"???! Or am "fiery"???!HA! : Whatever! I enjoy your winning words. You would not have to post them before noon for me! :-) I am snowed in ,but good. We got a foot of snow, but it blew 3 ft. on the lake roads FROM JACK: We are now on the downslope of winter. Just sit there patiently in front of the TV, with your cup of coffee, and, before you know it, the spring thaw will take care of the snow drift.

FROM DAZ IN COLORADO: That movie was very imaginative. He made the most out of a weird situation, living the same day over and over, ie tomorrow not coming. FROM JACK: I watched it this morning...an hour and 41 minutes. I enjoyed it as much as ever. Since you are the one who chooses movies for your neighbors, maybe you should choose Goundhog Day. It should provide some discussion.

FROM IKE ON THE MIKE: As you may know, one of the radio shows that I do on alternate Fridays from 11AM-11:30 on WNZK 690AM is titled "BRIGHT SIDE OF AGING" & my parting comment at the end of the program is: YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, TOMORROW IS A MYSTERY , TODAY IS A GIFT & THAT'S WE CALL IT THE PRESENT! unfortunately like a lot of great sayings, it's easier to say them than to actually do them... FROM JACK: Letting yesterday be history is the hard part for a lot of people. MORE FROM JACK: My step-father would often use this saying: "Forget about yesterday, plan a little bit for tomorrow and live like hell (When he was around pastors, he'd say, "heck.') today." My son had some cards printed with that saying on them. He placed one in "Gramps' casket before he was buried.