Happy New Year!

I would like to thank all of you for dropping by to visit Coffee every day. Some of you have even been hanging around since 2004 when the Sox won the World Series, I retired and Coffee made its debut. You might remember when Blogger unceremoniously erased Coffee in 2010. I was totally discouraged, but after a few tears and several curses, I decided to keep going, well, specifically to Keep the Coffee Coming, so we moved to WordPress. Several of you found me and Coffee was saved.

Each New Year makes me feel hopeful. I know this probably sounds like pie in the sky or the less common cliche castle in the air given last year, but I’ll still cling to that bit of hope.

Last night it poured, and the wind was terrific. Today is dark and rain is predicted. It is not the most auspicious weather to start the year, but it is warm and not snow so I’ll take that.

Today is a sloth day. I have no to-do lists by choice. I’m going to read my new book, wear my cozies and eat a bit of chocolate, remarkable ways to welcome a new year.

I give you thanks and I wish you joy!

Today is a lovely day to say goodbye to one year and welcome another. The air is so calm the backyard could be a painting, a still life of pines and oaks and brown leaves. The sun is wonderfully bright. The sky, in Crayola speak, is the color blue sky, okay, I even looked it up. If I were a year, I’d love this as my last day.

I have a concert tonight. There are two today, but I can’t leave the dogs alone for so long and way pass their dinner time to go to both concerts. I wish I could. I really enjoy concerts, and these are our last concerts for a bit.

I don’t make resolutions. I used to when I was young, but now, I’ll just keep who I am. I’m content.

I don’t remember when I last partied on New Year’s Eve. I do remember it was a neighborhood progressive party, one where each house served a different course for dinner. I was after the appetizer stop. I offered chili, Texas chili without beans. Two houses later we finished off the meal with dessert. We played games that night. We toasted the new year and raised our glasses high. I think in the history of New Year’s Eve celebrations that one was perfect.

I remember another year when my mother and I did first night in Reading, the next town over from my mother’s. It was their first, first night celebration. We wandered all over town, warm enough in our layers. We stopped at just about every venue. We had donuts and hot chocolate at one stop. We lingered there. We saw a few bands and a bit of a play. We had a wonderful night. I loved spending it with my mother.

I’ll be home tonight. I’ll raise my glass, happy for another year. They are all so precious now.