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I am Sandra - faithful steward. listener. shepherd. dream believer. hard worker. collects brass bells, boots. Jesus follower. contented. star gazer. homemaker. farmer. prayer warrior. country woman. reader. traveler. writer. homebody. living life large.

Friday, January 01, 2010

Hogmanay and Happy New Year 2010

 It's New Year's Day and, hopefully, you've celebrated in a manner that's left you full of life and looking forward to this new year and all the promise it holds. We celebrate quietly at Thistle Cove Farm, no mad dashing about, no frantic parties, no serious consumption of spirits, no overeating. Heck, we don't even stay up to see the Times Square ball drop, hear the clock chime or clink out glasses together in a toast. My attitude is the new years have managed to get here without my help for lo, these many centuries; I see no need to change my ways now. -smile- The dogs and I did get up in the wee hours, for an outside visit, but it was too overcast to see the Blue Moon, the last full and Blue Moon of 2009 and the decade as well as the first Blue Moon of 2010. I believe there's a Blue Moon on New Year's Eve about every seventeen years or thereabouts so this was another rarity. The next Blue Moon will be later this year, in November.

"Full moon is a blue moon on New Year's Eve 2010" reads NY Daily News. Ummm...does anyone want to help out staff writer, Tracy Miller or the editor? New Year's Eve 2010 isn't for another twelve months, folks, you've got it All Wrong.


 ~ Boscoe Mancat ~


We ended our year just as we'd begun our year...by saying good-bye to a beloved family cat member. Boscoe Mancat passed away and is being cremated and will, eventually, be buried with our other deceased companions. He just couldn't seem to pull through and, we think had cancer. Bos was a good little cat, well mannered when at all possible, and spent his last few months in a quiet, warm place with lots of canned tuna, cat food and fresh water. He loved to be petted and would purr his happiness loudly. We've lost eight companions this year and, frankly, I'm happy to see this year, and the body count, end. We had many blessings though, among them Sadie, Sam P. Spade, Miss Emma and Mama Cat who is now called Mama Cass because she's a fierce consumer of calories. Thank God our animals, and ourselves, had good health this year with no accidents or injuries.

 ~ Sadie Lady and Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent ~

Yesterday, was spent in the Scottish tradition of Hogmanay. There are many theories as to how the word derived, visit the link to take your pick. For many centuries, Christmas was banned in Scotland and it's only been since about the 1950's it's been celebrated but Hogmanay has been celebrated for hundred of years. "First footing" means to welcome the first foot, or person, in the house after midnight. The "first foot" should be a dark male and never a light male because that harkened back to the days of Viking invasion and a light colored male meant Trouble. The dark male was to bring coal, shortbread, food, whisky and salt which symbolizes prosperity, enough food to eat and plenty to drink; salt is necessary to live and for food preservation. Like most of Christian holy days, or holidays as its come to be known, there are plenty of pagan rites and activities closely associated with Christmas and Hogmanay brings its fair share. It is interesting and, in some of the byways and smaller, older Scottish communities, those ways are still inter-connected. BTW, it's spelled whisky in Scotland and whiskey in the rest of the world.


While I don't participate in all Hogmanay activities, I do clean house, sweep porches and, if we had wood burning fireplaces, would have cleaned them as well. My donations were mailed so folks would receive end of year credit, bills were paid and I worked on getting calendars ready for today. It seems to Dave and I, we lead quiet lives but for all that, I keep four calendars. There's the photos of Scotland kitchen calendar, my Franklin Covey/Day Timer book, a spiral bound desk calendar at the computer and the erasable monthly calendar on the refrigerator door. I also worked on my notebook where I keep a prayer list, quotes that prick my heart and mind, notes on various sermons I've heard, etc. For a few months, I've been working on clearing the decks...somewhat...by giving things away, gathering my studio projects in the studio, moving furniture around, hanging photos, paintings, pictures...in general, making this house a home. Many people in the south eat black eyed peas on New Year's day; Aunt Esther has eaten black eyed peas and pigs feet for seventy or eighty New Year's. -shudder- I just can't get my mouth around pig's feet and she swears I don't know what I'm missing. I do though...know. I'm missing pig's feet and am much happier for it!

How do you keep your family organized?

I've never made resolutions, have never seen the need and as Daddy always says, "if you're living right, there's no need to make resolutions." Goals are another thing and I do spend some time thinking about the coming year, what I'd like to accomplish and then make some plans, write some goals and forge ahead. I've a goal that's been held over from two years ago and should be ashamed to say it but there it is! This is the year I want to finish that goal and am making room, daily, to spend time to accomplish that end. Another goal that goes from year to year is to read five chapters of the Bible each day and, thus far, I'm pretty much on target. There are a few days I don't plan well and only manage to read a smaller portion but, rarely, do I miss Scripture reading entirely.

~ Do you see what I see? ~


Robert Burns wrote Auld Lang Syne which is traditionally sung every New Year's Eve midnight. We didn't sing it last night but I did think about it as I was going to sleep.

"Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o kindness yet, for auld lang syne."

I wish you well, this coming year; also peace, prosperity, happiness, good health, wisdom and enough love to share.

Until next time,


Blessings ~ new beginnings ~ goals ~ organization ~ traditions ~ good health ~ promises ~ blue moon ~

18 comments:

  1. As always, a thoughtful and enlightening post! However, I am sorry to hear about your losses of beloved animals this year. I feel your pain! Here's to a Happy, Healthy 2010 for everyone at Thistle Cove Farm. -Tammy

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  2. Happy New Year to you! So sorry you lost another furry friend. They love us unconditionally. It is always so hard to lose one.

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  3. Interesting reflections - we said goodbye to our dear little rat terrier in 2009 -it was hard and yet we are certain her life was as full of dog comforts as we could provide. I didn't know about Hogmanay until I got a card from KathyB explaining it - very interesting. Most cultures clean up for a new year - unfortunately for me - the culture didn't provide help and our house is being renovated - so it stayed in a condition less than ideal.
    The blue moon thing was fun - people who live in cities where there is so much light pollution they can't see the stars making a fuss about a full moon - 'twas a beauty in the sky in Texas. Happy and Blessed New Year to you!

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  4. We did get to see the blue moon, in spite of the clouds and sporadic rain, and the full moon made it very light outside through the clouds.

    I am so glad I was unaware of the warnings about allowing a light-colored male into my home, and heart & hearth..my light colored ( very blonde)male of most definitely Scandinavian and possibly Viking descent is my Beloved~ My mountain -climbing, ocean -hiking, house and home building, God -loving Husband!

    I agree with you on the whole pig's feet issue....and as far as organization, calendars and copious notes to myself keep me mostly organized.

    2010 is here....we survived 2009 and God has allowed us another year for Him!

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  5. Anonymous9:51 AM EST

    Happy New Year!!! Thanks for entering my apron giveaway.

    I love the pictures on your blog and am going to come back and lurk around when I get more time. Terry

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  6. Sandra, I was so saddened to see this about Boscoe this morning. I was just thinking about you last night and wondering how he was doing...you were on my 'to do' list today and this morning there you were....Losing a beloved pet is like losing a member of the family..it is a heartbreak....

    Buddy is holding his own...and we give thanks to God that he seems to be doing well. Many prayers are being said...but for now...all is good.


    It has been a pleasure to get to know you this year and I look forward to more with you in the new year....dear friend.

    With love and sympathy,
    Kary and Buddy
    xxx

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  7. Sorry to hear that so many little loved ones have gone this year. I sincerely hope that 2010 is very different in at least that respect.

    "if you're living right, there's no need to make resolutions." may be the wisest thing I've heard this century!

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  8. Happy New Year! I like the picture of your kitty! Grey tabby cats are my fave!

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  9. I just finished reading through the Bible in a year on New Year's Eve. I have done this several times but this time I had bought the bible that is in chronological order which is so much easier to read. They are so inexpensive at our Christian Book Store. You might enjoy one also.
    Happy New Year and Happy Reading.

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  10. I am so sorry that you lost yet another one of the sweet creatures. I sincerely hope that 2010 will be better!

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  11. Rest in Peace Boscoe Mancat! i hope you have a wonderful new year on your wonderful Thistle Cove Farm!

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  12. I saw the moon but it is very cold here-22 this morning. Ice is forming on some of the windows. It is always a little hard when a beloved pet passes on. I am presently without pets but the grandkids seem to fill those empty spaces. We were up all night on new years waiting to take the Washington relatives to the airport.( I won't do that again) I like nice and quite and go to bed early. Hope to hear more from you in the coming year:)

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  13. So sorry about Boscoe. It always breaks my heart to hear the loss of a beloved pet. But, I do know your life is blessed for having Boscoe in it. And that makes me happy.He was a lucky cat to have you as a mom. That is the way I see it...It may be simple or seem silly to some, but it comforts me.

    Thank you for such a wonderful site to travel to. I always enjoy my time here. You are a very special person, Sandra!
    xo, misha

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  14. Poor little Boscoe. May he rest in peace.

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  15. Happy New Year Sandra!

    (I'm sorry to read that your Boscoe has passed...always so hard to lose a friend...)

    I enjoyed reading about Hogmanay!
    My mother still eats her pickled herring at NYs! gah!

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  16. Sandra,

    I'm so sorry about little Boscoe. I have been way behind in reading and just catching up. My heart is with you. This has been a tough year on yours and ours furry/hairy families. May 2010 be much, much better on the farms.

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  17. Sweet Sandra, I'm very sorry for you loss. Recently the last surviving pet from the days of my childhood (a beatiful, energetic rascal of a Bordie Collie) passed away (on New Year's Eve). Though I hadn't been able to spend time with her for a few years (opposite sides of the country), the news of her passing was still a blow that I'm mourning my way through. It's never easy to lose an animal you cared deeply about, but at least we have fond memories of them to lift our spirits.

    Wishing you a serene & wonderful Friday,
    ♥ Jessica

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  18. Wishing you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year....Cheers!!!
    cheap florida holiday

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