Happy New Year!

I welcomed in the New Year on Icelandic Time and possible Greenland's time, but was well asleep before Eastern Standard Time's stroke of midnight.  The fireworks didn't wake me up then, although a barrage at about 1 am got me out of bed.

Happy New Year!

Amazingly, it is still the new year, even though I didn't see its birth.  It's a little chilly out there, but will be in the 70s today.

And then there is today.  Pretty much my last day of rest before tax seasons... at least the last day that doesn't involve unpleasant medical procedures. 

Today I will go to church and be with a small group of my St Michael & All Angels family.  Most will not be rising and shining, but they will be there in spirit.  Bob is in charge of the music today and he's very excited.  And since we're Episcopalians, we're still singing Christmas songs.  The recessional will be Go Tell it on the Mountain.  Is that a great song or what?

This afternoon, I'll cook a pork loin, collards, and hoppin' john at my sister's house.  These are the ingredients for luck, health, and wealth in the new year.  I'm not dead and I have a house, so I guess it works.

I'm doing something slightly different with the pork and hoppin' john this year.  I'm using a good bit of rosemary.  It's for remembrance and good taste, both of which we need.  I have white field peas and black eyed peas.  I'm using a mix of brown, basmati, and wild rice. 

The collards are sauteed... not as little as spinach but not cooked half past death.  Collards are hefty leaves... they do need some cooking, but if you cook them too much they look like what happens when the cat eats a lizard.

Perversely, even though I cook the pork, the collards and hoppin' john are vegan.  I use olive oil instead of pork fat.  I know it's sacrilege but I don't care.  I'll be eating this hoppin' john all week.

Tonight we will go to the Taize service at St. Michael's.  It is a contemplative service with quiet readings and quiet repetitive music, all in candle light.  I usually start crying a little, but it helps me work things out.

Tomorrow is a bowl game (go Cocks), work in the morning until my boss gets antsy and wants to go prepare for the game, and house cleaning.  Then the doors open on Tuesday to W-2s, e-verify, and soon... tax returns. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!