A New Year - 2011

We will open the book. Its pages are blank.
We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.
Edith Lovejoy Pierce

A new year! What shall we do with it?! I spent the first day of 2011 alone in my favorite place - walking through the gardens at Magnolia Plantation. I can't count the times I've walked these paths and they delight me every time. Around each corner is a familiar friend, a tree, a flowering bush, a statue dressed in each season's color.

2010 has treated some of my friends very harshly. You know who you are. I hope 2011 is gentler and joyful. I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! Thanks for dropping by Charleston Daily Photo and leaving all the great comments. I've made many new friends this year!

New Year

Shillong Peak, Shillong, Meghalaya, India

I've always liked New Year's eve and day. This photo is labeled 1965 so it was the end of the second year New Year I spent in India. I already had my friendships well established.

We always stayed up until midnight as kids, with the coal stove on, playing carrom and crokinole. There was a "midnight feast" and token gift exchange.

I am one of eight so there were enough of us to put on little plays and performances that always involved my sister Shirley doing her infamous Beggar Woman dance for tips. Gotta support the arts!

My First Footers - 2010

Perry Family, Charleston, S.C.

I was invited to participate in the Resolution Run at Hampton Park (don't run, too cold) and the Polar Bear Swim (I don't think so...). Luckily the new Year's tradition that comes from my Scottish background involves something a little easier to manage.

First Footer: The first person to visit your home on New Year’s Day has significance. It is considered good luck for a man to be the first person to cross your threshold (you have to let him in; he shouldn’t use a key to let himself in). It’s even better luck if he’s tall and good looking with dark hair. I’ve read specifically that the first footer should not have flat feet, crossed-eyes or a unibrow.

That's it, kids! I am supposed to have a tall, dark handsome man cross my threshold on New Year's Day. I think I can handle that! I should have an incredibly good year since I had not one, but four gentlemen come to my door yesterday. My brother Roger, wife Kathy and my nephews Caleb, Jesse and Joshua stopped by on their way home to Canada and spent the night. Thanks folks! I should have a grand 2010.

I've taken care of my tradition but I definitely think the rest of you should jump in the ocean.