I find it difficult to write anything these days. Try as I might to stay focused on my own life the world intrudes all the time. It’s hard to concentrate when the world is so messed up that better days ahead do not seem likely. I live in a place where most people I come in contact with are okay with the horror that is now our government. Even now, right this minute in the early morning I cannot put together a thought worth sharing. Damn these power hungry fools for taking away not only the rights supposed to be guaranteed by our constitution but also destroying our peace of mind. My usual ability to find something positive to focus on is lacking. Sigh. Going to make more coffee and try again to make a better day.

It’s nine o’clock on the last night of 2024 and the house is quiet. Just the husband, the dog and me here, all of us getting ready to go to bed after a great week of fun with our family. Our son and his sons and wife arrived Christmas Eve and were joined by our granddaughter with her husband and three happy children on Christmas day. Such fun. Then our grandson arrived to spend a few days with us and we all had such a good time together. Even had our daughter-in-law’s brothers over to watch a football game and we got to see our other granddaughter with her husband and baby for a little while. This was my kind of holiday.

New Years Eve is very different at 78 years old with an 80-year-old husband. Our times of dancing past midnight and bribing the band to play just a little longer are in the past. No fancy dress and hair do now. Didn’t spend an hour on make-up or make an extra trip to the liquor store.

My husband and I had our first date January 31, 1964. It was a house party where everyone was laughing, dancing, and having a drink or two. For many years after that we always had a party or a dance to go to with friends. Everyone got dressed up for the occasion and put on their happiest faces. I enjoy those happy time memories. So many of those folks are gone now. Some have died and others moved away or just lost touch. Those who are still in the neighborhood are in their beds now, just like us. In the sixty years since that first party a lot has changed, but we are still celebrating, just a little earlier in the evening and with no hangover for the first day of the new year. I like our quiet time and I liked the wilder times too. To everything there is a season.