Renewal

When I was a child, the 21st century existed only in science fiction.  Cars that flew, space travel as commonplace as shopping, no shortage of food or water anywhere in the world.  I was a Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov fan, a science fiction world not of gadgets but of human beings that had progressed beyond the petty desires that fueled the worst of human behavior.

The reality of the 21st century has been a bit of a let down.  However, I spoke with my friend J yesterday and opined that I was feeling optimistic because I had hope.  One of my favorite myths is that of curious Pandora, who opened the box and released the ills of humankind into the world.  Chagrined and heart broken, Pandora weeps, until she hears a tiny fluttering of wings and a small but brightly lit creature flies out of the bottom of the box and announces that her name is Hope. 

J isn't as certain as I am that hope is a good thing.  He is a student of Buddhism.  He tells me that according to Buddhist philosophy, that hope is just as painful as fear.  He says that both detract us from living in the moment and learning from our experiences. 

He certainly gave me pause but I'm not completely persuaded.  I think that it is possible to learn from life's pain and mistakes and still maintain a hopeful optimism that there is a rainbow on the other side of the storm cloud.  I always enjoy my conversations with J because he challenges me, makes me think about what I believe and why I believe it.

I spent Christmas Day with family.  My sister and her husband fixed a delicious Christmas dinner--pepper and garlic steaks, baked chicken breasts, sauteed collards with garlic, mashed cauliflower (tastes like mashed potatoes without the calories!) and corn on the cob.  I supplied the sweet potato pie and we all supplied the good conversation.

My annual Holiday party was Saturday.  I apologize for not posting pictures, but I don't have a digital camera and I forgot to borrow one.  Alas, there was no camera in my Christmas stocking this year! 

I found some flickering tea lights (battery powered) that gave off a lovely glow.  I have a firm policy of using low light at my parties.  My friend P commented that it was a bit dark.  This is intentional; if there is a missed dust bunny in the corner, it's not noticed and besides, everyone looks better in candlelight.

I wore my new burgundy outfit (the one on sale) and received many compliments.  I felt like the belle of the ball.  I had about 20 guests and a good time was had by all. 

I made five pounds of spicy meatballs served with a hot red curry and peanut sauce that were a big hit.  Not a single meatball left over!  My good friend P brought a ham from Heavenly Ham that I served with crostinis and cranberry honey mustard.  I also served sweet potato pie, an assortment of cheeses (Brie, Shropshire Blue, English Cheddar, Blue Saga, and English Stilton) with crackers, chips and dip, pita toasts and hummus, and a champagne punch (peach champagne, mango nectar, and ginger ale).

It was wonderful to spend time with friends and family, talking, laughing and enjoying each others company.  The festivities began at 5:00 pm and the last guests left at 12:30 am.

My sister R and her husband B hosted a New Year's Eve party last night.  R and I live four blocks from each other.  She and B purchased a home in the neighborhood first.  I was sort of reluctant to take on the responsibilities of home ownership but not only was she able to persuade me to purchase my first home but I couldn't think of anything better than living so close to my sister and B.  They are both delightful people.  They've been married 22 years and everyone who knows them. loves them.  They both attended my party and of course I reciprocated and attended theirs.

By the way, as I am no longer in my twenties, and two nights of partying is rather exhausting, I was incapable of doing anything of much note today.  My sister and I talked on the phone and decided that we needed naps this afternoon.

When I haven't been napping, I've been wishing friends and family happy new year via phone calls and emails.  I've spent the rest of today reflecting on the year just passed and looking forward to the one just begun.  I've got hope sitting on my shoulder.

I purchased two new CDs for myself during the holidays.  Both are by relatively new artists, Alice Smith and Corinne Bailey Rae.  I plan to share some of the songs in my posts here.  Today it's a tune by Alice Smith called New Religion

Tags: Alice Smith, Corinne Bailey Rae, optimisim, New Year, hope