Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, and the things you never want to lose.

~From the television show The Wonder Years

It’s that time, isn’t it? It’s the time of year where we reflect on auld lang syne, remembering mostly the good of the year.  It’s also a time when we are thinking about what lies in the year ahead.

I am grateful for this time.  It is always interesting to reflect on what really happened in the year and look forward to a new beginning full of hope and promise.

As I look back on the part of my life that includes Clay Aiken, I realize that this  has been a good year.  We are talking about Clay Aiken…He always makes life exciting!

So…lets celebrate New Years!! 

Did you know??

The most commonly sung song for English-speakers on New Year’s eve, “Auld Lang Syne” is an old Scottish song that was first published by the poet Robert Burns in the 1796 edition of the book, Scots Musical Museum. Burns transcribed it (and made some refinements to the lyrics) after he heard it sung by an old man from the Ayrshire area of Scotland, Burns’s homeland.

It is often said that “Auld Lang Syne” is one of the most popular songs that nobody knows the lyrics to. “Auld Lang Syne” translates as “old long since” and means “times gone by.” The song asks whether old friends and times will be forgotten and promises to remember people of the past with fondness, “For auld lang syne, we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet.”

Did you know?

……..that a raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continuously from the bottom of the glass to the top. 

Did you know?

……..to many Americans, the ball dropping at Times Square in New York City signals the start of the new year in this country. The ball was first dropped in 1908.

Did you know?

…….Noisemaking and fireworks on New Year’s eve are believed to have originated in ancient times when noise and fire were thought to dispel evil spirits and bring good luck. The Chinese are credited with inventing fireworks and use them to spectacular effect in their New Years Celebration.

Did you know?

…….A traditional southern New Year’s dish is Hoppin’ John—black eyed peas and ham hocks. An old saying goes, “Eat peas on New Year’s day to have plenty of everything the rest of the year.”

Did you know?

…….The tradition of making of New Year’s resolutions dates back to the early Babylonians. Popular modern resolutions usually include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonian’s most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

Did you know?

…….The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886. In that year, members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers. It celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California.

Did you know?

…….Although the Rose Bowl football game was first played as a part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902, it was replaced by Roman chariot races the following year. In 1916, the football game returned as the sports centerpiece of the festival.