Welcome 2011

Last night I started thinking about New Year's Eve. What is the history behind this eve that makes for all of the reveling and noise? I was also ruminating about the song "Auld Lang Syne" and wondered where in the heck we had gotten that one from.... so this morning I did I little Googling to answer these burning questions.

It seems, from my brief reads, that some historical types believe that the celebrations of New Years Eve can be traced back to the ancient Roman celebration called Saturnalia - generally held at the time of the Winter Solstice. Apparently this holiday was also celebrated with over indulgence and a general feeling of "out with the old and in with new". Of course the over indulging must have often led to not remembering the old - just as many people celebrate New Year's now!

The song "Auld Lang Syne" was written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788. The words mean "old long since" - the good ole' days. One writer stated that the words basicially mean "the entire song's message merely means to just forget about the past and look ahead to the new year with hope". Sounds like a good plan to me!

Lest we forget the noise that generally accompanies the New Year's Eve celebration. The consensus seems to be that this custom of a New Year's Eve auditory assault is a custom embraced by many countries - all meant to frighten the evil spirits and drive them away.

View at the Harbor this past Wednesday

For my part, even in my youthful days, I was not a huge fan of New Year's Eve celebrations. That may be because I tend to feel claustrophobic in large crowds and because I also tend to be noise sensitive. Not that a bit of bubbly (one of my favorite things before I decided to use the money for art supplies instead!) has never passed my lips - but I generally preferred to stay home - or at the most - have a quiet gathering of several good friends. In the early days of my life I would always make a traditional New Year's meal - complete with Hopping John. 

These days our custom is to be in bed with a good read by 9PM - I can hear the fireworks if I am still reading at midnight - and I am assured of greeting the first morning of the New Year with a clear head and much anticipation.

Oh! Lest I forget - resolutions? I am considering choosing a "word for the year". Do you make resolutions? What are your New year's traditions?

Whatever you are doing this New Year's Eve - be safe. I wish each of you a 2011 that is blessed by peace, joy, health and prosperity - and just a touch of magic too! Thank you all for stopping by the blog - I truly appreciate your readership

Towards An End & A Beginning

I chose this photo to represent my hopes for the New Year because it is an explosion of color. I was having a very good time when I dyed this piece of fabric; I was with friends & I was surrounded with color! Color is one element that I want to continue to wallow in during the new year. I want to create; to learn to use color more dynamically & to work on my painting & whole cloth quilting techniques. There! I have stated one of my resolutions for 2009!

I take resolutions, for the new year or otherwise, fairly seriously & so I try to make only those resolutions that I believe I have a good chance of following through on. Resolutions are promises to myself. I don't make promises lightly & sometimes that means that I take some time to think things through before I commit to something.

Another thing that I seriously want to do this year is to follow the Artist's Way in a bit more committed manner - completing a chapter per week. It would be good to have other people doing this at the same time - sometimes other commitments get in the way & having someone else to help keep me on track would make it easier for me to make this a resolution rather than a "want to". I'll hold off on my decision on this!

I want to stay healthy. I want to take time to watch the clouds flow through the sky. I want to celebrate every day in a creative way. Life is too short & it really is the small things that make life beautiful. Celebrations of life need not be earth shaking; appreciating how the snow looks loaded on heavy branches; how the Towhees flit back & forth searching for something to eat under the snow; how the swans nestle together on the ice;how nice it is to see my spouse come through the door at the end of a day; a friend's voice on the phone; a letter written with fountain pen & real ink; an email from a friend asking why I have not posted in a couple of days; the wonder of even having 'cyber' friends at all! It's the small things I want to celebrate this year.

I would love to hear what you are planning for your New Year ... what do you want to accomplish? Where do you want to go? What will you celebrate? How do you want to live this new year? Whatever you chose my wish for everyone is for a year that will be filled with color, laughter, friendships, love, good health, light, creativity & just a touch of magic !

namaste.