I wish the happiest of days to my family and friends this new year.

For me, this is simply another day. I shall set about my schedule with no celebration or enthusiasm normally experienced with dinners, parades, ballgames, or resolutions.

It’s a year of anniversaries. My bonus sister, Laura, and I will both turn sixty, three months apart. My friend, Brian Pollock will usher in the landmark age in February before Laura and me take over June and September. A good number of my friends and classmates from Elwood and Ball State University will also embark on Club 60. My maternal grandmother, Donna Clary Barmes, who passed in 1992, would have turned 100 this May 8^th. This year will also usher in the fifth anniversary of the deaths of Mother and my younger brother, Destin.

We have a dusting of snow covering the Miami Valley and the deck looked clean and pretty until the stampede of paws took over the artistry of nature. At the moment, it is 32 degrees and we’re promised a climb of six more to top off the day at 38 degrees.

My Sunday was longer than anticipated due to an unplanned hitch. However, it was a good day. I was home by 8:15 PM and after letting the dogs out, took a 3.5-hour nap, waking with fifteen minutes of the old year remaining. I wanted to be sure the dogs had their final potty break prior to fireworks. Generally, there’s a feast of boomers sounding throughout the neighborhood, even when there’s no official celebration during the summer months, but last night, the fireworks were faint and minimal.

The pooches seem to have rebounded from Bailey’s passing. Harrigan is still clingy and more snuggly, now often sharing my pillow when we sleep. I’m sure Chief misses being Bailey’s pillow – she always snuggled with him and on him.

It is time to begin my Monday. It is merely another day. No celebrating for the new year to come, and I offer no prophesy about proposed accomplishments. For me, it is simply another day, and another year.

Make it a great day!