New Year’s Day 2022

I awake peacefully. It is 4:07. Ellie (my little dog) is next to me under the covers. Sage (cat) is getting some zzz’s on the bedside table.

I feel good this morning. It’s a welcome relief from the sounds of fireworks last night. Poor Ellie was petrified. This went off and on for six hours.

I had to stay up later because I knew I wouldn’t get to sleep. Finally Ellie and I went to bed. She had been spending time under Paul’s bed trying to rid the noise from her being.

We were in bed now. I turned on the noise canceling machine and held Ellie close and secure. We managed to drift off.

I remember the days when you couldn’t buy fireworks in Georgia or set them off either. You might have been able to hold a sparkler, but I’m not sure. I miss those days.

I enjoy seeing a good fireworks show but that’s not what I see in my neighborhood. It’s noise for the sake of noise it seems.

I dread it every year and on the 4th of July as well. Maybe your neighborhood is different.

What upsets me is how the sounds affect the wildlife in our area — and people’s pets indoors.

I’m stepping down from my soapbox now. I mean no offense if you’re a big fireworks person. This is just a mini annual annoyance of mine.

I have digressed from the peaceful early morning I awakened with. It’s not my intent to be negative today.

It’s a new year with new promise.

Resolutions

I don’t usually make any. Not fond of voluntarily putting pressure on myself.

I used to make resolutions to stop smoking or drink more water, give up Coke. Those were flops.

If I were to make a resolution this year, it would be to cut back on sweets, but I can’t live without Jelly Belly jelly beans or chocolate croissants.

This year I want to be kinder, gentler, and calmer. I want to expand my feeling of inner peace. It can always use some attention.

You know, I don’t think I’ll ever be calm. I would so love it if I were. I’m just not wired that way. Some things I have to accept.

These are not resolutions, just things to keep in the forefront of my mind.

New Year’s traditions

Years and years ago I had a tradition on New Year’s Eve. I watched The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

While doing this, I counted and rolled up the pennies I had saved in my piggybank through the year.

These days there’s no way I’m awake at midnight to watch a Waterford crystal ball or a pretty peach drop from on high.

Never understood all the hoopla about New Year’s Eve. What a stick in the mud I am you must be thinking. Guilty.

The Times Square ball is a geodesic sphere, 12 feet diameter, and weighs 11,875 pounds.

It is covered with 2,688 Waterford crystal triangles that vary in size from 4 3/4 to 5 3/4 per side. The crystal triangles are bolted to 672 LED modules which are attached to the aluminum frame of the ball.

Might be neat to see that kaleidoscope-type ball.

Parties involved in the design and manufacture of the ball are coy when asked about price. It is valued at more than $1 million.

I didn’t know the ball has so much history. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.

Time to rise

It’s light outside now. Paul is starting to stir. It’s time to feed our furry family.

Before I leave the comfort of my room, I decide to open my 2022 What Cats Teach Us stand up calendar. A friend gave me one for 2021 and I fell in love with it.

This one I ordered myself. It has great photography of a variety of cat breeds and alley cats. Also included are words of wisdom quotes.

Today’s is “And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.” —Rainer Maria Rilke. Pictured is a cute white kitten with its mouth open and round, bright eyes. I think it’s smiling at me.

I keep the calendar on my bedside table and tear off a page every morning. Good art is a great way to start the day.

I’ll be back later so I can tell you how the New Year’s Day is coming along.

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I’m back. Ellie and I have assumed our places in bed. It’s still a little early. Paul and I had our usual morning tête-à-tête. He drank coffee with almond biscotti. I had a Coke Zero and biscotti.

We talked about the soaking rains we recently had. It looks like we may have a small drainage issue to check out. These rains are becoming more common.

We talked about how at this point in the year we should be having colder temps. Our star magnolia already has buds on it.

In an ideal world, this process wouldn’t begin until early March. The warmer it is the sooner the buds appear.

Our daffodils are making their way up also.

Winter is MIA. Where are the cold, overcast days? I want to wear boots and sweaters. I want to surround myself with fleece throws and flannel sheets. I’m missing the coziness of winter.

I want a change from this warm weather. Something’s out of whack, and we all know what it is. Checked the weather forecast. Cooler temps are on the way. Yippee!

We talked about old black and white TVs with the big picture tube. You could feel the static or the magnetized field sometimes as you walked past the TV. Boy how things have changed.

Sage has joined Ellie and me in the bed now. He proceeds to groom and has placed his sweet, furry self right next to me. I sent a picture of Sage to a friend last night. She replied, “He looks angry.” Funny.

Anyway, back to talking with Paul. I told him the story again of when my parents wanted a new color TV once they were on the market and could afford one. It was the early to mid 60s.

We were in Louisville. My parents were talking to the salesman. They were interested in a RCA I think it was, or was it a Magnavox? Doesn’t matter.

The salesman takes a $5 bill and places it on top of the TV. He tells my parents that if they can get to the $5 bill before the picture on the TV comes on once they pull the knob, they can have the money.

Of course, the picture came on instantly. No way were they getting a free $5 bill. What an easily-seen pitch looking back, but for a kid, I thought WOW! I think my parents bought the TV.

Will check-in later.

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Just got back from a brisk walk. Was it ever hot. Sun and humidity made it feel like the middle of July — a slight exaggeration but you get the idea.

I have reduced my walking time to 30 minutes. I’m hoping it will encourage me to keep at it. You know I’m floundering.

New things to come this year

My trainer, Lisa, closed her gym at the end of the year. She’ll be training from her house. She’s on YouTube. She does Zoom.

For me, being trained online is like having a virtual therapy session. I prefer in-person. However, all her clients are younger than I am. They have no qualms and are hip to training with whatever is available.

The good news is I can walk to her house from mine in about 12-13 minutes. Weather permitting, I’m walking.

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The day has been easy and mellow. It has ended as it began. Ellie and I are back in bed. Ellie is under the covers next to me. It’s 5:40.

I’ll grab something to eat. Finish New Year’s Day reading or writing.

I’ve been thinking what I was grateful for in 2021. Here’s what I came up with. I have more, of course, but don’t want to bore you to tears.

Gratitude List for 2021

1. Health remained steady
2. Thankful for the ability to read
3. Discovered Publix’s oatmeal raisin cookies
4. Paul, Daisy, Ellie, Sage
5. Started The Bruno Papers — all thanks to my friend, Ernst

I wish for you nothing but lollipops and rainbows in 2022 — sprinkled with a touch of magic. Hopefully by the end of 2022, if not before, we can all breathe a sigh of relief and say sayonara to Covid.

Good-night.

Thank you for reading. Please leave a comment or share any New Year’s resolutions you’ve made. Would love to hear from you.

Sources

http://www.timessquarenyc.org
http://www.whas11.com
http://www.forbes.com