While Groundhog Day has evolved into a fun diversion for news-starved media on a typically blah February 1, the real significance of Punxsutawney Phil's yearly appearance in the limelight is for old men who depend on the fat rodent to tell them when it'll be warm enough to resume urinating on their lawns.
"There's nothing like peeing in the great outdoors," said Clyde Lasting, 88. "Even if it's just your own front yard.
"But six more weeks of winter. Man, I hate bundling up just to squeeze the pickle."
Dan Wooster has been arrested several times for public indecency as neighbors show the 89-year-old no mercy in lodging complaints with the New York City police.
"Back in the day, you could pee pretty much anywhere you wanted," Wooster said. "People would drive by and wave. It was no big deal. But now, folks don't have much tolerance for that.
"I fought in World War II, dammit, and I earned the right to pee in my yard if I please."
Ward Bevington, 75, said he likes going to the bathroom on a crowded subway platform, but women's high-pitched screams hurt his ears.
"I have to turn my hearing aid off so I can pee in peace," he said.
Tom Adamowski, 66, plans to move to south Florida so he can pee outdoors every day of the year, and neither temperatures nor clothing will be an issue.
"Hell, I'd pay extra to join a country club that allows you to wiz on the fairway, the putting green and the tee box," he said. "But in the swimming pool? That's free. Always has been, always will be."
