Happy New Year and New Decade

Invitation Postcards to Our New Year's Day Brunch  

For many years we hosted a New Year's Day brunch for everyone and anyone. We'd say, "You always know what date it is. Please come." Our guest list grew and grew. Over time, everyone expected to start the new year sitting on our porch, eating Grant's pulled pork, my black beans and rice, cheese grits, etc. It was so ingrained that when I went to New Zealand for my sister's wedding at Christmastime, we had to spread the word there would not be a brunch. "Please don't come."

Happy New Year  

This year, with no brunch to prep for, we set our alarms to wake us up in time to walk to the beach and see the sunrise. What a beautiful way to start the day, the year, the decade.

The beach was crowded with lots of young people, high school or college aged, I can no longer tell how old anyone is. They stood around, taking pictures of themselves and each other. I am envious of their youth and all the possibilities that are coming towards them that they cannot even imagine. What lives of luxury they live here in this secluded paradise. I am not naive enough to think everything will be perfect for them, however they certainly have a good start.

With Shades, Mascot of the Solar Bears Hockey Team

We opted not to participate in a Polar Bear Plunge like our granddaughter who jumped into 68° spring water. Of course, can one even call swimming at Key Biscayne beach a PBP?

Two hearty young men swam as the sun rose, but we didn't even dip our toes in. Northerners tease us about our thin blood, but I notice the second winter of living south, most people aren't as enthusiastic about swimming once the water turns cool.

But, as several friends asked us, what would they do today without our brunch? Fortunately a lovely couple offered to continue the tradition if it was okay with us.

Absolutely okay. I wrote up a bill of sale which they displayed next to their sign-in book. Now I'm just waiting for my $1.00 payment. They say the check is in the mail.