On a Clear Night.............

....................another year began. It was cold and windy. A slice of bright, waxing crescent moon, rocked toward Venus, lighting the black sky. From old stone churches bells rang, stained glass windows glowed.

Downtown..........a vibrant place to join in the merriment and say goodbye to 2008

Kilted fife and drum band and brilliant fireworks at

First Night in Raleigh, North Carolina.

We go to the early celebration. Step briskly in the Peoples' Procession, enjoy the early fireworks display for the children...............and older people like us who don't relish being out in the crackly cold at midnight!

Returning home, the front porch welcomed. A fire soon burned in the hearth. Friends stopped by to raise a glass. And at midnight? Of course dh and I finished the champagne, sang Auld Lang Syne, hopped into bed, and hoped for that great 2009 that we wish for all of you!

~~~~~ HAPPY NEW YEAR ~~~~~

HAPPY NEW YEAR

NEW YEAR arrives in the blink of an eye, the chime of an hour, the turn of a new calendar page.

As I sit here in the cottage pondering what 2009 will bring, I send my best wishes for good health, much happiness, and prosperity for you and yours. My sincere hope is that this will be a good year for each and every one of us.

************

The song "Auld Lang Syne" is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the New Year. At least partially penned by Scotsman Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after his death. An old Scottish tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago" or simply, "the good old days".

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne

We'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

Sing out tonight!

On New Year's Eve...............

Did you dance the night away?

Did you join in when they sang Auld Lang Syne?

Did you see the fireworks light up the heavens?

.............and did you clink champagne flutes..........kiss, and say "Happy New Year" to a dear and special one?

Raleigh, North Carolina ~12:01 AM New Year's Day 2008

Be ready to embrace this brand new year and make it your best one ever.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The clock strikes twelve and a NEW YEAR arrives, just like that!!!

Best wishes for good health, much happiness, and prosperity for you and yours. My sincere hopes are that this will be the best year yet for each one of us.

~~~~~~~~~~

The song "Auld Lang Syne" is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the New Year. At least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after his death. An old Scottish tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago" or simply, "the good old days".

~~~~~~~~~~
Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne

We'll take a cup of kindness yet,

for auld lang syne.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sing out tonight......with family and friends.

My thanks to each one of you who have joined in this great blogging journey. You have shared so much of your lives, interests, hopes and dreams this past year. To me it's amazing that so many of us have so much in common. No matter where we live and how young or old we are, we have bonded. For me, and hopefully for you, the journey will continue in 2008.

~~~~~~~