Intro:

January 4, 2021.

For more years than I can remember I have 1. avoided New Year’s Eve Parties, and 2. making New Year’s Resolutions. Things change, good happens.

This year, I attended the first New Year’s Eve party I’ve been to in, well, more years than I can honestly remember. I avoid them for several perfectly good reasons, to me. Not least of which is I hate sharing the roads home with drunk drivers. I also have a dog (or, in years past cats or other dogs) and when people start setting off firecrackers, it frightens them. No, my usual New Year’s Eve is sitting in bed with a good book, and a glass of single malt scotch. 

This year, I skipped the scotch, and went to a party with Merlot. I think there were 8 of us, we all were drinking—some alcoholic drinks, some maybe not. We spent about 3 hours together and had a really good party. Best one I’ve ever been too. Ever. No one got drunk or disorderly, and not one of us had to drive home and share the road, because we were already home. It was great. Good company, many laughs, and we were all socially distanced (by miles, actually), and no masks necessary. I really love Zoom!

And, if that wasn’t enough, I made a New Year’s Resolution! Arrrgh, what is this world coming to??? 

I have long subscribed to A Word A Day (AWAD) by Anu Garg. This year, I decided to write something every day a new word shows up in my inbox. I did not limit myself to what I would write — a sentence, a paragraph, an essay, a poem. Whatever. There are five words a week. And, no, I won’t bore you with my daily writes ;-)I don’t know if black-eyed peas are a fave of yours or not, I enjoy them. I like them now and again, but most especially on New Year’s Day. Many people believe if you eat them on New Year’s Day you’ll have a good year. I certainly won’t quibble on that one. While 2020 wasn’t all that good, I didn’t lose anyone close to me, so it was a good year. My favorite way of eating them is in a salad, the recipe for which I found in my Potluck Cookbook by Emeril Legasse. The recipe is now online and is yummy. Especially good to take to a potluck! Check it out, Black-eyed Pea Salad.

Entertainment:

Peacock: Am on the 10^th and final Columbo season. 

Books (for complete reviews and more reviews, please go to Rainy Day Reads:

I read and reviewed 60 books last year. If I don’t finish a book for whatever reason, I don’t review it. 

First book of the year: Mouse of Cards by Erin Johnson. I needed something light to start the year off, and this is part of the Magic Market Mysteries. Read out of sequence, but that’s OK. Second book of the year, A Raga for George Harrisonby Sharmagne Leland-St. John. Historical and (sometimes) humorous poetry. If I have to choose a fave, it would be, “I Said Coffee.” 

I’m currently reading: the lost spells by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris. It’s a delightful book meant to be read aloud, and the words and art to be savored. Also reading Taro by Blue Spruell—an epic tale of Japan’s legendary hero. So far, very enjoyable. Re-reading The Cooking Gene by Michael W. Twitty. I read it a few years ago, on my eReader, and am reading the hard copy now. If anything, it’s even more enjoyable this time around.

Outro:

And here we are, to the beginning of a new year. Sixteen days till Biden’s inauguration, 355 days until next Christmas. Start shopping now, and miss the madding crowds then, 29 days til Groundhog’s Day. And maybe 6 months and we can all see if we can remember what normal was. In the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy, wear your mask properly and show you care for your neighbors, your friends, and your family.  

More hacks on not getting fogged glasses at AccuWeather.com.

Auntie Lenora 

and 

Sammy Brave Dog