Wait for it...

here it comes, baby New Year is bouncing in and the big ball is about to drop. After a lovely and delicious early evening meal with friends, I'm at home, warm and comfy in my pajamas, waiting for the magic moment.  Somehow 2016 sounds rather ordinary.  Do you remember the excitement, not to mention nervous anticipation when we reached the year 2000?  Now, 16 years later, lots of things have changed in my life including four grandchildren who weren't around in the 20th century. So fun to think what's coming next.  Here we go, 3, 2, 1 Happy New Year everyone!!!

looking back, looking forward

Here we are on the eve of the eve of a brand new year and I'm wondering what might be in store for me next.  In 2015 I retired, down sized, got involved in some satisfying volunteer work and generally settled in to my new little nest.  But recently I enjoyed conversation with two different ladies whom I know from church. Each of these ladies is 95 years old, in great spirits and very intelligent and well spoken.  It occurred to me that I could also, conceivably, live to be 95 (another 24 years) which gives me time for a whole new career or at least avocation.  Now I just need to decide what it will be. I don't think I'm quite ready to write the great American novel, or become another Grandma Moses with my paintings, and for sure it won't be a musical career, but I think something will come along. 2016 looms full of hope.

A wonderful blend of old and new.

I saw the new Star Wars movie this afternoon.  My son took me as a birthday treat and it was a wonderful experience. I think they did an excellent and very smart job of pulling in many, many references to the past series of movies (not to mention a quick nod to "Indiana Jones") while introducing some new and very likable characters who are young enough to do the running around and adventurous stuff.  Although I will say Han Solo, aka Harrison Ford, ended up in quite a few action scenes and seemed to hold his own very well.  I remember watching the very first Star Wars movie (number 4 in the series) as a family when my son was about five and a half.  He literally sat on the edge of his seat and was entranced through the whole movie.  This new addition to the series, 30 years later, was every bit as spell binding and just as fun to see with my son.

a technological breakthrough

Those who know me know that I am a very surface computer user.  Technology is a tool I appreciate but I don't necessarily excel in setting up programs. But tonight I can declare success, at least in one area.  I was given a "fitbit" for Christmas,  This is a nifty little wristband that, as I wear it, will record how many steps I take in a day, how many calories I burn, sleep patterns and, probably, how much change I have in my pocket, although I haven't verified that one yet.  But, the success came tonight, when finally, after messing about with this off and on for three days, I finally have synced my fitbit with my computer so I can see all the wonderful information it's recording.  Syncing it involved using the wireless sync dongle ( I swear that's the real name) that was in the package with my fitbit and its charging cord.  I had no idea what the dongle was, it's a little 3/4 inch square piece of metal and plastic, until I got to the place in the setup instructions where it said "Plug in the wireless sync dongle." and, happily, included a picture.  I'm so glad I didn't throw it away. Tomorrow I will work on downloading information.

The river is rising, head for the hills.

Ok, it's true, I'm on the 10th floor so I'm probably safe but it has been interesting to watch the river that runs by my place over the last few days.  For several weeks I've noticed that the water level is down and mud banks have been visible on both sides of the river.  Yesterday I looked and the water was back up on both banks to the grass level and today it's up swirling around the roots of the trees along the bank, covering at least 4 or 5 feet more of the bank than I've seen all summer.  There's also a lot of branches and other debris floating down the river.  I know they were predicting possible flash floods and lots of rain over the last few and coming days but I didn't expect such a drastic change. It will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings.

love those leftovers

I'm not talking about the left over meat, potatoes and gravy, although that did make a good supper.  The leftovers I love are of the candy and cookie variety. A friend of mine baked some cookies from his mom's old family recipe and I dutifully put them out to share with my Christmas day guests, but there was so much else to eat that there were quite a few left over.  I discovered today that a piece of the strawberry cake my daughter baked got left behind in my refrigerator and another guest left some yummy mint bark. I also got two small boxes of candy as gifts. i probably should get rid of it all before new years so I can make my usual "cut back on sugar" resolution.  I think I can manage that.  How does candy for breakfast sound?

Another kind of Christmas peace

Much is made of peace and quiet of the Christian kind at Christmas and I treasure that peace as much as anyone but I realized today that there is another peace or quiet time that I also really appreciate. I had eleven people around my dining room table for dinner today.  I warned them they would be crowded and advised everyone to sit beside someone they like. After the prayer the usual bustle ensued - the passing of all the trays and bowls of food and piling plates full while talking of this and that.  Then suddenly it all gets very quiet.  People are too busy eating, and evidently enjoying the food, to talk. I love that moment of quiet because it means my meal is a success.