The Day After New Year's Day

I spent New Year's Eve at one of my favorite places in Key West, La Te Da, listening to the music of local favorites Black and Skabuddah.  I almost stayed home, but decided at 11PM that I needed to get out and ring in the New Year properly, and I 'm glad I did.  Lucky for me, I live close enough to walk to my favorite spots.  I chatted with a few friends, met some new people, and even got a kiss and a dance from my dear friend, photographer extraordinaire  Kenne' Tucker, at midnight.  Kenne' was also kind enough to snap this pic of me and my friend (and former boss,) Rebecca Tomlinson. For great photo galleries, gossip, and current events in Key West, visit his website with the funny name:  Pistol and Enema. (Some folks call it "P & E.) I know how it got that strange name, but it's a long story.

Just as most folks follow the time honored tradition of kissing loved ones at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, many people have traditions that they follow on New Year's Day.  When I was young and living in the South, folks ate black eyed peas and collard greens in order to ensure that the new year would be prosperous. The beans represented coins and the greens stood in for paper currency, if my memory serves correctly.

I have a few of my own traditions for New Year's. Every year, for the past 3 years, I listen to a saved voice message that my wife, Teri,  left for me on New Year's Eve in 2009, wishing me a Happy New Year.  She was in the hospital in Miami that year, and I don't know what made me decide to save the message, but I treasure it. She died almost a year later, so it was the last time she ever wished me a Happy New Year. On New Year's Day, I spent the day tidying up the house, doing some work, and hanging out with my dog, Jazz.  I decided to make a slow cooker dinner that Teri used to make for me."Chicken Delicious"  I sprayed on a little of her favorite perfume, Jil Sander No 4,  and I opened a bottle of wine, and made a toast to her, as I remembered the many New Year's Days we were lucky enough to spend together.. 

Wishing you all a year full of joy, love, and prosperity!  Be sure to let the people in your life who are dear to you know it.  And as Teri would say, "Be kind." 

 Happy New Year!