Does life ever seem like Groundhog Day? Every year the same thing happens; I forget the event, and then without fail on February second, I see it live on TV from Gobbler's Knob in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. I do not seek it out; it simply appears on the news while I'm having my morning coffee.

Does anyone else think the whole thing is crazy? I suspect Punxsutawney Phil does. A sleepy-eyed groundhog awakens to a crowd of chanting humans and old men in black suits and top hats. What must he think? Does he think it's his birthday? He basks in his celebrity until he invariably chooses the wrong scroll, sees his shadow, and tolerates a grumpy crowd ready to blame the messenger.

My profession is like Groundhog Day. Patients ask, "Can it be six months ... already?" Or they wonder, "Didn't you take X-rays last time?"

I don't take offense. The truth is that life is much like Groundhog Day. We live from holiday to holiday and from milestone to milestone. Lately I find a great appreciation of ordinary days, for the pleasant surprises and the lack of hype. I look forward to the ordinary six-month appointment, or walks with my neighbor, or my weekly ballroom and Zumba classes. No stress, no expectations ... just life.

I hope you enjoyed your Groundhog Day. It is another little event that promotes commentary ... like the weather. Here's to my ordinary newsletter describing everyday topics to the extraordinary members of our dental romance group. Keep in touch and let me know if there is a topic you'd like to discuss. I always appreciate your feedback.

Waiting for Spring

Phil's younger cousin

Springtime Friends

Next week I will send a special Saturday edition of the newsletter. I will tell you why next week. Until then, best wishes always, Joanne