Early Morning Sunrise and a Waning Crescent Moon

How can there be a sunrise at 6:30 a.m. when the sky is dark? It lasted forever too, all across the southeastern horizon, punctuated by a lovely crescent moon. Leaving home in the dark and cold is not fun but seeing this beauty I would not have seen is amazing. I kept looking at the vibrant red sky and dark clouds as I waited for my train and was seated. Good morning indeed.

A Shout-out

I'd like to give a shout-out to two extraordinary venues of dance and performing artists. I first saw Benise, The Spanish Guitar on PBS. It's amazing.

The other is THEPIANOGUYS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR94NDIfGmA&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=SP4C41A5A90C7B0C10

If I had to pick a favorite of The Piano Guys I'd be in trouble. However, I do like what they do with Star Wars.

NYE Singles Dance After 30 Years

Some time in 1982, the year I married again, I went to my last singles dance. I had met Michael at a Halloween dance in Pacifica and got to know him better at the New Year's dance on the peninsula. That changed Saturday night by dressing up for the dance in Danville. The cultural hall was decorated beautifully, no expense spared, the music was good, lights were low, a few people were at tables. I recognized someone and we hugged. It's all about attitude. I had already made up my mind to have a good time and dance, so there I was dancing, just me and the balloons. Soon couples came out, more and more people arrived including some professional dancers and some seriously cute babes, and the night was underway. Many women complimented me on my dancing and tried to follow me on line dancing. It's fun when everyone on the floor is dancing new line steps. So if anyone wanted to dance with me they had to find me on the floor. There are circle groups when there are too many women and I'd get in the middle and dance. The varied food was delicious and people were happy and friendly. But who to kiss at midnight when the huge bag of balloons dropped and Auld Lang Syne played? Someone I had just met hugged me, then another. And I hugged others I knew and had danced with or we shook hands. It was a wonderful evening of dancing almost four hours and going home with sore feet. Happy New Year.

New Year's Annual Tradition

I love to watch the Rose Parade and eat the banana bread the Greenes make each and every year. Noteworthy is the long-standing tradition of not having the parade on Sunday when horses waiting at churches would be frightened. I love that. Then we've always enjoyed a hike. So this year with the parade on Monday I waited for Adam and JJ plus three kidlets to hike off Regency Drive in Clayton for an hour. It was a lovely time together and a good start for 2012.

Year-End Musings

I remember going to great lengths to get snatches of time to myself away from my children to be reinvigorated. Now that they're grown and out of the state the tables are turned. Now I find myself going to great lengths to get snatches of time with my children to be reinvigorated. Funny how life plays tricks on you, isn't it? The empty nest I was looking forward to became devoid of my mate so it's a particularly empty nest. Thankfully I have a cat, good neighbors and a good ward now within walking distance. I've only missed the first meeting by foot (October 30, 2011). Happy New Year to one and all.

Christmas Day at Church

30th Annual Caroling Party December 22, 2011

On the first full day of winter solstice we caroled our neighborhood. We've been at it for 30 years. Present were Paul, Adam, Stephanie, Marilyn, Merin, Jadyn, Gretchen, Joe T, Dom, Amariah, Jerry, and me. I extended our solid oak table all the way and taped down LP albums to seat more guests. The first one got rained out so we caroled in our Parnassus Avenue apartment. It's evolved from a sweet and savory buffet to a huge pot luck dinner party including turkeys and all the sides. Dessert and hot cocoa is served by candlelight after caroling. We've had a white elephant gift exchange for eleven years. We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!