Adios 2013

As Barry Manilow sang, it looks like we've made it.  We've survived long enough to once again celebrate Hogmany.

Hogmany is the name for the Scottish end of the year celebration.  It's a party, it's fun, so it is obviously not indigenous to Scotland.  Most likely, wandering Norse tour guides searching for warmer winter cruising happened upon the south of Scotland not long after a winter solstice. Believing they were in Miami, the Norse donned masks to protect their fair skin from the harsh Florida sun and like the local Floridians, took to drink.  Masks, drink....lasses. Word got back and the annual migration and bacchanal became custom. The crazy Norse never knew they weren't in the US.

The new year festival is as ancient as the hills.  While custom and tradition have evolved, Hogmany celebrations derive from human's need to occasionally let loose.  Deep within the DNA of humans everywhere is the need to break the solitude of work during the dark cold months, restoring mental health to those who live close to the land.  The Church of Scotland, which for over 400 years gave Christmas celebrations a miss, reluctantly turned a blind eye to a holiday celebrated on a state holiday.  



My family, a bit farther west, never needed such a flimsy excuse to celebrate.  They partied just because God gave them Guinness.  The masks and lasses were a lagniappe.

Celebrate hard my friends, you've earned it,  we'll leave the light on for ya.  AND WATCH FOR DEER!!!!!!

Happy end of 2M13 and welcome 2M14.

Toad

Happy 2013 and a new resolution

from Hoodoo That Voodoo.tumblr.com

I'm not going to do it.  You can't make me. I refuse.  I won't.

Each year on this day I offer the greatest New Year's resolution and make it available for you to claim as your very own.  It's powerful, it's inexpensive, it will change your life.  It's o easy that no one does it, which is a shame. If you are new here, and/ or curious you can find it here.  I still recommend it. Sorry about the missing photo. I accidently deleted my blog photo file once upon a time.

What I will do is offer each and all my new resolution.  Work this year to enjoy yourself more.  One of the most frequent regrets of the dying is that they worked too hard on stuff that was ultimately BS, and didn't pay enough attention to their spouse, their children, their family and their communities. Turn off your  smartphone and home computer until the kids go to bed.  You'll survive.

Finally, Happy Birthday Mary.  The party was Sunday, her big day yesterday. It was a wonderful experience, even better if you waited for the 90+ yo's to clear the parking lot before you. Quite a few are still driving.

Happy 2013, thanks for sharing it will us.

Toad

So which is it?

In spite of what is frequently found here, I am a pretty good editor.

Last night, Mrs. T and I were out for dinner, and the restaurant had a large banner which read "Happy New Years Eve, 2010"

To me, that sounded like next years celebration. When I asked my bride, she told me not to trouble myself over it. NMP if you will. Not much help.

Might I have ended the year in error? I would have sworn last night was NYE 2009.

Toad