2020 has slipped into history. Reminds me of the Titanic that slowly disappeared beneath the waves. 2020 is gone and now we are in the time/space of 2021. This is the first day of a new year. My expectations for our society are low. Last year revealed how dysfunctional we are. My expectations for my small bubble of existence are high. As soon as I get vaccinated, life for me will return to next to normal. Fun trips will be made. New friends will be found. Small adventures will be taken. I intend squeeze every ounce of happiness out of the days ahead. On this New Year’s Day, we can celebrate some no-so-famous holidays: Apple Gifting Day, National Bloody Mary Day, National Polar Bear Swim Day, Z Day and National Hang Over Day. The Z Day is about lining up in alpha order and a tip of the hat to the people who were always at the end of the line. Now to the history of this date: In 404 this was the date of the last gladiator competition in Rome. Do you realize that men fought to the death in front of cheering audiences for nearly 500 years? In 1788 Quakers in Pennsylvania emancipate their slaves. In 1818 Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is published. On this day in 1847, Michigan becomes the first state to abolish capital punishment. Finally, in 1890 The Rose Parade, then known as the Tournament of Roses, is first held in Pasadena, California. This is the birthday (1879) of the English novelist E. M. Forster. He said, “I am sure that if the mothers of various nations would meet, there would be no more wars”. This is also the day in 1953 that Hank Williams died at the age of 29. He said “There ain’t nobody I’d rather have alongside me in a fight than my mama with a broken bottle in her hand.” E. M. Foster may not have been talking about Hank’s mom. I searched on “Hank Williams Song Lyrics” and found a web site that listed 175 songs. Very impressive for someone who only lived 29 years. Today I’ll raise my glass and toast Hank. He would have been fun to spend an afternoon with. Now, I’ll start this 1st day of 2021. Abide
