Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Epiphany greetings


 

 

 

Dear Readers,

Today marks the end of the Christmas Season for most people who celebrate, though some mark it's ending at Candlemass.

I personally prefer to never truly end the joys and sparkles of this season.  There is always some tiny or not so tiny Christmas ornament, or gift in the works.  Can and will spend all of a rainy weekend , working on something Christmassy or deciding on what and how i will reuse what i have to make a fresh display for the front porch.  But i digress, sorta.  

 

Here's wishing that you can  keep a bit of the joys and good memories of Christmas time with you all year!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Jan 3, 2026 Full Wolf Moon

 Shortly after midnight on New Years  i went outside to look at the nearly full Wolf Full Moon, Blowing snow and  icy cold winds greeted me.  And i howled, long and as fierce as a great grandma Wolf would.

I could hear dogs and coyotes here in the valley went silent,  for only  a short time.   I stood in silence, until the cold drove me indoors.   

 

 icy winds,stinging snow

 storm raged, my soul howled

echoing the wind 

  

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

every New Years eve!!!!


It's that time of year, again!   Yup!!! time to make some resolutions

~~~i will learn not to grumble when it is snowing, not happening really and truly not happening

````i will get things done on time...HUH!!! Nope!

~~~~I will try to do more fun stuff , OK I can do that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   especially the trying part

The custom of staying up to see the New Year in was almost a magical mystical idea to this 9 year old.  Truthfully, i was curious about what why New Years Eve, so festive, when it seemed so ordinary to me.  Now 60+ years later, i still wonder at the  jubilant crowd on the tiny screen, while watching from the comfort of my  favorite chair. Hoping for a better year than the one just past.   Resolutions??? , yes, once in awhile, but not this year.  There is no reason to think that the mere change of a calendar page will change any easier.  So why not the start of a new year?  I don't know, nope, dunno! Though that does seem to be a part of a New Year celebration in all of the societies i have seen on the Discovery Channel.  { Ahhh the joys of my misspent second youth}.   Here in the Piney Woods as the temperature and the the snow both keep keep falling.  Tonight is very dark and nearly silent.  Only the sounds of snow plows  traversing the highway farther down the hill and the rare semi who's driver must have nerves of steel and the gust of wind  that dislodges the snow from limbs of the old  Norway Spruce trees  as it lands with a dull thud.   The winds  sounds different tonight,  quieter as if it were trying to sneak in thru the cracks and leaky windows  of this old house.  Quiet, a quiet like when you the background noise stops.

But this is still New Years Eve. 

Now is the time when i look for a new recipe for "Hoppin' John"  no sauerkraut  will be served here, because  only one person eats it.  And they like it grilled with a touch of brown sugar, black pepper , and onions on a bun with a grilled hot dog and may-be some Swiss cheese.  Who knew that sauerkraut and black eyed peas would one day become lucky foods???  

   But i digress, often frequently and alot.




Tonight's meal was delicious even if i do say so myself, even though i didn't prepare it myself.  At least i washed up the dishes. { see what i mean}
 The wicked winds of winter are howling around  my door, snow is falling almost as fast as the temps.   
I wonder about the people who are gathered in Time's Square.  Standing in the cold.    And all the others around the world who are  welcoming in 2026   
Being there, in hope and happiness.
Being there in celebration. 
Being there in spirit only. 
 L
 Long ago and pretty far away i started staying up to see the New Year in.  Staying up so late was really a big deal to me then.  There had to be a reason for people doing  this, for making merry, celebrating with of  fun and lots noise. Was it to scare away the sad and the bad?  Perhaps to welcome the good and positive  into their lives.  
I dunno.
 
This year makes my 66th consecutive welcoming in the New Year.  And if you were to ask why  i do this every year, i would have no answer other than to say because I want to.


Happiness
 
  
 




 

New Years superstions, collected by Country Living

 

 While one was doing reseach for yesterdays post  came across this.  Interestin, i think so anyway.

countryliving.com

30 Most Popular New Year’s Superstitions—and What They Mean

Ivy Jacobson Ford

actress eleanor parker wearing polka dot dress photo by �� john springer collectioncorbiscorbis via getty images

John Springer Collection

1

Put on Some Polka Dots

In search of a sartorial selection that will secure an auspicious start to the new year? In the Philippines, it's considered good luck to wear polka dots on December 31.

honey apple baked brie with fried sage

Hector M. Sanchez

2

Drizzle Honey on a Dish

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

two men jumping off chairs

Archive Photos//Getty Images

3

Jump Off a Chair

A traditional New Year's Eve superstition in Denmark is to leap from a sofa or chair as the clock strikes midnight. It's considered good luck if you jump, and bad luck if you don't, so make your decision wisely.

open sliced red pomegranate fruit on metal plate

Nadine Greeff//Stocksy

4

Crack Open a Pomegranate

This pretty red fruit is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Turkey and other countries near the Mediterranean. New Year's Eve revelers smash pomegranates and eat the seeds to bring some of that good luck their way in the upcoming year. Try serving them in our Harvest Salad with Pickled Pomegranate Seeds or in this delicious Poinsettia Cocktail.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

english glamour model and actress sabrina norma ann sykes, 1936 2016 waiting under a sprig of misteltoe, circa 1955 photo by hulton archivegetty images

Keystone Features

5

Put Mistletoe Under Your Pillow

In this Irish superstition, people hoping to find a romantic partner place a sprig of mistletoe under their pillow before they fall asleep on New Year's Eve. Legend has it that it'll cause you to dream of your future spouse!

RELATED: Why Do We Kiss Under Mistletoe?

a pair of bloomers pegged on a washing line photo by hirzarchive photosgetty images

Hirz//Getty Images

6

Wear Red Underwear

In Latin American countries and Italy, donning red undergarments on New Year's Eve is thought to help bring romance in the year to come.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7

Pass Around a Peppermint Pig

pink coloured peppermint pigs and a small hammer to break the pigs apart, are part of an advent calendar on display in new york, usa, 5 december 2015 photo christina horstendpa  usage worldwide photo by christina horstenpicture alliance via getty images

picture alliance

This unique superstition began in Saratoga Springs, New York in the late 1800s. Tradition holds that a candy peppermint pig is passed around the table in a red pouch, with each person tapping the pig with a small hammer to break off a piece while sharing a story of good fortune they encountered in the past year. It's all in hopes of good luck in the year ahead!

open window

United Archives

8

Open the Windows

Though it may be chilly outside, New Year's superstitions tell us to leave the windows open so you can let the old year out and the new one in.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

irish soda bread recipe

Mike Garten

9

Bang Bread Against The Walls

Another Irish superstition is to knock a loaf of bread around the walls of your family home. (The act is said to drive away evil spirits while simultaneously inviting good luck in.) Kinda sounds like the perfect excuse to finally make a loaf of Irish soda bread, right?

full length image of a young boy smiling as he steps out of bed wearing his pajamas an alarm clock sits on his bedside table

Camerique Archive

10

Wake Up Early

As the old adage goes, the early bird gets the worm. And if you're up and at 'em on January 1, Polish tradition suggests that you'll easily rise on the early side every day for the rest of year.

RELATED: I Tried The Viral Hatch Alarm Clock and LOVED It

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

vegan, gluten free noodle dish

Courtesy Sarah Yates Mora

11

Make a Dish of Soba Noodles

In Japan, a widespread New Year's tradition is to enjoy a bowl Toshikoshi soba, or New Year's Eve noodles, on December 31. The pantry staple is thought to represent longevity, resilience, and a clean break from hardships of the year prior.

Get the Recipe for Rapini Buckwheat Soba Noodles
.

vibrant field of red poppies at sunrise with misty mountains in the background

Nick Brundle Photography//Getty Images

12

Watch the Sunrise

Also in Japan, the first sunrise of the year has a special name: Hatsuhinode. In the Shinto religion, it is believed that the New Year gods appear at this time and bless observers with good fortune and good health.

RELATED: The Best Quotes for Your Sunrise Social Media Pics

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

mature woman swimming in sea

Harold M. Lambert

13

Step Backwards into the Sea

In Puerto Rico, some greet the stroke of midnight—and keep evils spirits at bay—with a quick fall backwards into the waves of the ocean. If you'll be beachside for New Year's, it certainly can't hurt to do the same.

RELATED: The Best Small Town Getaways for New Year's Eve

dropped chocolate chip ice cream cone with sprinkles on the floor

George Crudo Photography

14

Drop Your Ice Cream (On Purpose!)

In Switzerland, it's thought to bring good luck to drop a scoop of ice cream on the ground at the stroke of midnight. It's hard to let the good stuff go to waste, we know, but one scoop won't hurt!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

broken dinner plates on a tiled floor

John M Lund Photography Inc//Getty Images

15

Break a Few Dishes

Another New Year's superstition from Denmark is to smash dishes against the front door of friends and family. The act is believed to bring good luck to the people you appreciate most in your community.

new years kiss superstition

Bettmann//Getty Images

16

Get a Midnight Kiss

It may seem like kissing someone at midnight is a way to show your excitement for the new year. But actually, it's thought that if you kiss someone you love as the clock strikes midnight, those sentiments will continue for the next 12 months.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

new years twelve grapes superstition

mirceax//Getty Images

17

Eat 12 Grapes at Midnight

This food superstition that originated in Spain is meant to bring you luck for the year ahead. Just eat 12 grapes at midnight—one for every month—or put them on a skewer and serve as a fun New Year's Eve cocktail garnish.

money in wallet new years superstitions

Eskemar//Getty Images

18

Keep Some Extra Cash in Your Wallet

Want to enter a year full of financial prosperity? Then make a run to the ATM so you can fill your wallet with cash. Also, don't loan out any money on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, and don't start the year with any unpaid debts, or you could set a precedent for the months aheads.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

bare cupboards new years superstition

Historical//Getty Images

19

Fill Up Your Cupboards

Check and see which grocery stores are open on New Year's Eve, because it's considered bad luck to start the new year with bare cupboards (signaling poverty and hardship).

open doors new years superstition

Alex Potemkin//Getty Images

20

Open Those Doors at Midnight

Actually, just before midnight, so you can let the old year out and welcome the new one. (It doesn't have to be for long—even those who believe in this superstition can get cold!)

 

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Advent Calander day 24


 

 

horses stand silent

and i wonder if they know

that long ago night 

 

Epiphany greetings

      Dear Readers, Today marks the end of the Christmas Season for most people who celebrate, though some mark it's ending at Candlemas...