Is there anyone who doesn't have mixed feelings about this day? Well okay, Ed shows no such ambivalence. He can't understand why anyone would go out of their way to do something unusual on a day that marks nothing more than another number on a calendar page. I've stopped trying to explain to him that conventions, traditions, social constructs help to move us along on the path of life. He will respond with a "yes, gorgeous" that means nothing at all.
Me, I like the coming of the new, I don't much like looking at what's behind. Sorry, 2025. We're done with you. You had real stellar moments, and no tragedies for me and I am so very grateful! Now, how can we help make things better in 2026?
I read somewhere recently that the whole concept of resolutions for the New Year is an insane idea that only brings misery and stirs up feelings of inadequacy. We'd be way better off striving to change nothing, concentrating instead on improving our mental health. Perhaps by planning for some more time off from work, or maybe saving up for a massage, or joining an online class on meditation. Forget the learning of a new language or filling your 10 000 step goal. Put your feet up and stream a favorite show on day one of the New Year, if that's what makes you happy. Well, considering that most of us will be streaming stuff on this Eve, perhaps we might want to move ourselves off the couch come New Year's Day. Vary it up a little: maybe sit at the table and do a jigsaw puzzle. Sounds good to me, except I bought too many Christmas puzzles and now they seem awfully out of line with the times.
This morning it was warm enough (just below freezing) for Henry to skip his sweater.
My pooch wasn't into a longer walk and I didn't push it, since he has doggie day care, and that promises a full day of movement for him.
At home, I gave my big guy lots of hugs to let him know that I am thrilled to have found him and that he will never be left to manage on his own again. I think he understood.
Breakfast, still with a poinsettia, because what are you supposed to do with a plant in full bloom? Keep it until it withers. Even as I know these plants never die, they just drag on and on. Mine looks as good as it did on day 1. And like Ed, it doesn't acknowledge the passage of time and my diminishing interest in anything related to the holidays.
Afterwards, Henry and I do snuggle a bit, but he is also in his "hide the treat" mood. I am not sure why he does this. I haven't seen it for a while, but today, here he is again, hiding his dental stick and his chicken jerky. Carefully. Pushing the pillow over to cover it. Is it a game? Is he serious about hording? Am I feeding him too much? Is there an instinct at play? I do not know.
With Henry in doggie daycare, I set about doing the obvious end of December stuff, which includes zooming with my wonderful friend in Poland whose birthday it happens to be today. Indeed, you could say I was almost there for their midnight, it being a seven hour difference in time.
I was to cook dinner for my daughter's family tonight, but they had a sudden arrival of extra family (on my son-in-law's side) and so I bowed out. Still, Ed came to my place, we drove over to get both dogs from daycare -- Henry and his buddy Goose -- and we stopped at Goose's home to linger over a drink and some yummy cheeses. Well, before we lingered, I tried to walk both dogs at the same time -- never a good idea. One pulls one way, the other -- completely in the opposite direction. Snow fell, I fell, my watch alarm went off and I could not silence it, because the dogs were still determined to tear my limbs out, even as I sat on their leashes in the snow and contemplated my unfortunate plight.
Eventually we make our way inside. For the cheeses. And a New Year's Eve toast.
... while the kids (three from here, one visiting cousin from Milwaukee) build tents and structures everywhere, which I'm sure they will clean up after, to my daughter's satisfaction, don't you think? Given that it's New Year's Eve?
And then it's just the three of us -- Henry, Ed and me, at the Edge. I fix a shrimp scampi platter, with some veggies and a salad. Henry, of course, loves the smell of food in the oven and convinces me that it is absolutely necessary for me to give him two of the (rather small) shrimp. And I do. Because it's New Year's Eve.
Happy New Year, with so much love!
