I’m off work today. Since I worked on Sunday, I get a day off during the week and today was the day I had nothing scheduled for, so today is the day. I plan to spend the day relaxing. I’ll sleep late. Maybe watch some tv. Maybe read a book. I’m not sure what I will do today but I know I won’t stress over it. I’m just going to relax.
I got sleepy and woke up last night, and I really didn’t have the time or energy to write a significant post.
New Year’s Day is always a day of family and reflection for me. My family always comes together for a big New Year’s meal, with all the traditional dishes. We had our black-eyed peas for good luck, our collard or turnip greens for wealth, and our hog jowls for wisdom. In addition, we had ham, chicken and dumplings, hash brown casserole, macaroni and cheese, cracklin cornbread, and an array of desserts. We had lots of food, and all of it was good.
The day is more than just food and family though. It is also a day of reflection on the year past and the year to come. The year 2016 was not a stellar year for me. Yes, I have a good job in which I am happy, but I still wish were closer to home. It was also a year largely filled with fighting depression and anxiety. When I had gotten my job in 2015, I was elated, but then I suffered the loss of a dear friend and my world was shattered. The depression and anxiety gripped me like nothing else, but I saw my doctor and he prescribed a new antidepressant regimen and sent me to a neurologist for my headaches. Both helped tremendously once my medications were regulated correctly. By the end of 2016, I was doing so much better. I have cultivated new friendships and gotten a new kitten that is such a joy.
The year 2017 looks to be a good year. I think my blog suffered some in 2016, but I hope to get it back to where is was in 2015 during the coming year. I also vow to be healthier and lose some weight. It won’t be easy, but it’s something I have to do. What are your “resolutions” for the new year? I hope each of you have a wonderful 2017.
I got some winter weather gear, but I certainly didn’t need it down here in Alabama. It was a hot 80 degrees in Alabama yesterday, add that to slacking away in a hot kitchen and you have a nearly unbearable day, but we survived. I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas and got your Christmas wishes.
My event went over time last night. I got home, got undressed, wrote this, and collapsed. I’m just too tired to write more tonight. Everything went very smoothly though and I am glad these book discussions are over with.
Today is the day I am taking for my birthday holiday at work, so no work, no blog. I’m sleeping in. If the mood strikes, I may write something later, but for now, this is it.
Today is my birthday, but it’s not a particularly joyous one. First I’m up here all alone with no one to celebrate with. It’s also been a tough year. Last year on this day, I found out that one of my dearest friends had died in a car wreck the night before. It’s been a year of depression and anxiety. Just when I thought I was doing better, my last grandparent, Granny, died. It’s certainly been a year of heartache.
I do not know what this year brings. I have hope that it will bring a good companion into my life. I have hope that it will be a year of less depression and anxiety. I have hope that I will be able to lose some weight. I have hope that I can get my life back onto a track of happiness. A year ago, I was on that track of happiness and i got severely derailed, but things are looking up. I have hope that they will continue to look up.
By the way, I turn 39 today. This is my last year in my 30s. What will the future hold?
Today, of course, is Black Friday. It means a lot of people are shopping today. I will not be one of them. First of all, I hate crowds. I don’t mind shopping, but I hate the crowds of people shopping on Black Friday. I plan to spend the day inside watching movies or tv shows on Netflix. Then I will watch some football. Will you be shopping today? What will you be doing?
Thanksgiving Day is usually filled with family and food. There are many LGBT out there who are without their families because of the hate and bigotry that exists in this world. I hope those who cannot be with their families, for whatever reasons, have wonderful friends with whom to share this day of Thanksgiving, and I hope they feel the love that I send their way.
I wanted this post to be about all that I am thankful for this year. In many ways, it’s been a year of loses, with the passing of my grandmother recently and the passing of my beloved friend who I lost nearly a year ago. There have been some bright spots though. With my birthday, (it’s next week), I will begin a new year of my life with hope and promise for a wonderful future. I am so thankful for my family. They may drive me crazy at times, but I love them and they love me. I am thankful for the love and companionship provided by my dear kitten Isabella, who will never replace HRH, but she is a wonderful and joyous companions. I am thankful for the wonderful people with whom I have the pleasure to work. I am thankful to be alive and in a happy point in my life. Most of all, I am thankful for my many friends in my life. Some of them are people I’ve never met in person, but have formed a connection with through my blog. For them, I want to say, you are as important to me and as loved by me as if you were a friend I saw everyday. I love you all! Thank you for being my friends.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. I was tired yesterday and decided to go to bed early, but I doubt I will be too early to rise. So, I don’t think I’ll be made healthier, wealthier, or wiser.
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Joe
The Closet Professor 