Christmas came and went and it didn’t feel like Christmas at all. I was taught in my college studies that Christmas was the most depressing time of the year for some. Well, I’m here to tell you, even the jolliest of people could have gotten depressed this year!

It’s been hot, and raining. Being stuck inside with no sunshine makes one feel downright gloomy.

On the upside, the girls were basically “trapped” and I enjoyed every single second I could of them.

We watched movies, and cooked, played games, and cooked some more. Christmas was unusually laid back and for that, I am thankful.

During the holidays, I came across a poem about the new year. I thought it was worthy of sharing.

Recipe for a Happy New Year  

Take twelve fine, full-grown months; see that these are thoroughly free from old memories of bitterness, rancor and hate, cleanse them completely from every clinging spite; pick off all specks of pettiness and littleness; in short, see that these months are freed from all the past—have them fresh and clean as when they first came from the great storehouse of Time. 

Cut these months into thirty or thirty-one equal parts. Do not attempt to make up the whole batch at one time (so many persons spoil the entire lot this way) but prepare one day at a time.    

Into each day put equal parts of faith, patience, courage, work (some people omit this ingredient and so spoil the flavor of the rest), hope, fidelity, liberality, kindness, rest (leaving this out is like leaving the oil out of the salad dressing— don’t do it), prayer, meditation, and one well-selected resolution. 

Put in about one teaspoonful of good spirits, a dash of fun, a pinch of folly, a sprinkling of play, and a heaping cupful of good humor. -—Anonymous

Happy New Year everyone!