Wishing you all a Happy New Year 2025 with these photos of my Christmas amaryllis at its best (a couple of days ago). (It turned out to be one with rather small flowers.)
The weather here is still predominantly grey. A very bleak sun made an attempt to break through the clouds for a little while around noon today, but didn't quite succeed. But at least it wasn't raining, so I decided on a walk to the supermarket for a few things. Approaching the place, it turned out half the town had the same idea. Which I should really have been able to foresee, as it was the day before New Year's Eve, and one of those in-between-holidays days when anyone who can is likely to take the day off work, and use it for shopping...
Had it not been for self scanning, I would probably have turned around. With that option, however (which I always use there), I decided to brave it after all. And I did actually manage to get my half dozen items or so without too much trouble, in spite of the store being much too crowded for my liking.
As for New Year's Eve, I have no other plans than to stay in and hide the best I can from the fireworks and firecrackers that will no doubt be set off in spite of fog, storm and rain (possibly even snow). "Some people" around here have been practising for about two weeks already - with random Big Bangs every afternoon/evening (including right now while I'm writing this).
For many years (20 or so), 3-4 friends and I had a tradition of celebrating New Year's Eve together, nearly always at my place. For various reasons (involving health and distances and none of us getting any younger) we have not resumed that after the pandemic. Just now I'm (again) mostly relieved not to have made plans with anyone - even if I know that I can't really hope for a truly "quiet" evening either, that last one of the year! ;)
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What 2025 will have to offer, remains to be seen. Let's hope will be seeing less of war, and more of healing, building up, sewing things together, and love and peace around the world... ♥
I agree, the parking lot at the grocery yesterday was terrible, and it was rainy. Well today is sunshine, so I went to the laundromat, which everyone else decided to do too! Hope your quiet celebration of the turning of the year is happy, peaceful (without too many bangs.) Do you have a favorite music to listen to? I think I'll be asleep actually.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, impossible to go to sleep here until at least an hour after midnight at New Year. Too much noise. I'll probably be watching a film either on TV or DVD. (That's what I used to do with my friends as well...)
DeleteAs for New Year's Eve, it sounds like you have a cozy plan to ring in the new year. I understand the mixed feelings of missing past traditions with friends, but there's also a certain peace in enjoying a quiet evening at home. The fireworks and firecrackers might be unavoidable, but perhaps they will bring a bit of festive cheer amidst the fog, storm, and possible snow.
ReplyDeleteRo, I do usually get quite a display of fireworks from my windows around midnight, and if everyone kept it to that hour or two, I wouldn't mind so much. What I do mind is all the sudden explosions just making frightfully loud noises, anywhere and at any time, and impossible to tell from a distance whether causing serious damage or not. Not allowed, but very rare that anyone is caught in the act...
DeleteI am not a religious man but the biblical verse you added is a favourite of mine, Of course - back in the sixties - it was adapted by The Byrds and that's probably how I first became aware of it. Will you be parachuting on to Tristan da Cunha tomorrow? Make sure to wear your thermal underwear - even though it's summer down here in the southern hemisphere.
ReplyDeleteNeil, well that's an alternative I have to admit I had not yet considered. Is one supposed to land at midnight? If there are going to be fireworks set off at the same time I think I shall be afraid to land right in the middle of it all...
DeleteI really like the bible verses you chose! We are not going anywhere on New Year's eve either! It can be madness out there! Do you have any T.V. shows that bring in the new year?
ReplyDeleteGinny, there is always a traditional narional TV broadcast before/around midnight from a New Year celebration held outdoors in a park in our capital Stockholm.
DeleteIt will be noisy in our neighbourhood, too, but we shall ignore it as best we can. It's many years since we went out on New Year's Eve and we don't miss it.
ReplyDeleteJabblog, I find the random explosions during the weeks before or after the scariest, as one just cannot stay constantly prepared for them...
DeleteHappy New Year to you, dear Monica!
ReplyDeleteMay it bring you many good reads, enjoyable walks and a host of other things you like - and above all, good health.
Thanks Meike - and the same to you!
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