New Year's Eve

I am always reluctant to give up Christmas decorations until after the first of the new year, so tonight I set the dinner table around my Christmas centerpiece, and it looked so festive I couldn't resist posting a picture. The china is bordered with a red and green plaid, not quite the MacBain plaid of my clan but close enough to makeme happy.Tomorrow I'll serve Hoppin' John to Jordan, Christian, Jacob and neighbors Susan and Jay (who kindly supplied the ham). I was surprised Susan didn't know what Hoppin' John is--it's a stew of ham, black-eyed peas, Rotel tomatoes, etc. traditionally served over rice. I'll serve it over cheese grits. In the early years when I lived in Texas I wasn't as fond of black-eyed peas as I am now, so I served this rather than sliced ham and servings of peas. I quickly picked up on the tradition of ham and peas for luck and prosperity in the new year. Now, of course, I love the peas, especially mixed with mashed potatoes, a trick taught me by my Mississippi-born daughter-in-law Mel. But Hoppin' John is good, and the kids used to call it Hoppin' Uncle John in honor of my brother.

Jacob and I are ringing in the New Year together, though I hope we'll both be sound asleep when it rolls around. Just now, at ten p.m., he told me he didn't want to close his eyes. I told him to try anyway. I fixed us a festive meal--a bison rib-eye steak and a baked potato, both of which we split, and buttered corn. He told me he wanted meat, not chicken nuggets, but didn't eat the meat. I thought it was wonderful. We both had a chocolate chip bar for dessert, a special treat.
Having Jacob overnight is a most fitting way to ring in the New Year. My grandchildren are quite likely the most important people in my life. But then I admit getting him to bed, even by ten when his mom recommended nine, was a struggle. And I'm tired. No writing, no work, nothing productive tonight. I am making a dent in my catch-up work (suitcase unpacked and laundry done) but have decided to send out a New Year's letter to friends I don't see often or hear from, and I have a manuscript to proof and index by January 22. Still seems a long way away but I know I have to get to it. Oh, and there are those Christmas decorations to take down. 2010 is starting out to be as busy as 2009!
May God bless you in 2010 with everything you wish for and bless all of us with peace and love. I think world peace is too much to hope for, but we can each make a small step by reaching out to others and showing our love.

Reflections on the year past and that to come

I started the new year with half my family present for ham and black-eyed peas. I had not been able to give the Frisco Alters their Christmas gifts until today so that was fun--I apparently scored with Maddie with a book that I thought was really sophisticated for her age but she badly wanted. It's a beautifully designed, partly graphic novel titled The Invention of Henry Cabrolet. Edie got a huge map of the world puzzle and had it all put together right after dinner. When she decided it was time to go home, she began organizing everyone's belongings. Both girls got small secondary gifts--things that had come my way one way or another but not through purchase--and Edie was almost more intrigued with her SPCA fuzzy blanket than she was the puzzle. We had a happy evening, and Jacob loved playing with his cousins, though Maddie snuck off some to the back room to read her book. A little after eight, Jacob made it plain he was ready to go home, drink his milk, and go to sleep, so now they are all gone. Mel had done most of the dishes for me, which was a boon, and I finished up the few left and am settled at my desk.

Last night I didn't exactly welcome the new year in. As I have for many years, I stayed home and treated it as an ordinary night, so by midnight I was sound asleep. But staying home on New Year's Eve, plus having to write a self evaluation for my boss, are both good occasions to reflect on the year past. I think one of the big lessons I learned is that in my office I am the boss, and I need to be less conciliatory and more of a decision maker. Recently, when I was faced with a difficult decision, Melinda said to me, "Make it a business decision." And although it may be late in the game, I'm learning to do that. For most of the year, my resolution to succeed at writing mysteries was strong, but it sort of went by the wayside the last couple of months. Certainly I have learned a whole lot, some of it most disconcerting, about the mystery publishing world--so different from the academic atmosphere in which I spend my days. In 2008 I shared some wonderful times with family and friends, even if my trip to Scotland didn't happen. And turning 70 was a major milestone for me--good because I feel I don't look or act seventy (okay, if my kids are reading this there are some major exceptions) but still I am aware that 70 puts you clearly into the senior citizen category. It's hard for me to believe that I am 70 and have a son who will be 40 this year. Good heavens! Where did those years go?

2008 was of course an unsettling year for people everywhere--wars, high gas prices, then falling gas prices with a failing economy, bizarre weather, you name it. But like most of the country, I look to 2009 with optimism. Poor President-elect Obama--I think we all expect him to work magic that cannot be worked. But I do believe he'll set us on the right path, and I hope Americans will realize that our various crises cannot be solved in an instant. What do I want for myself? More good time with family and friends (the family is already talking about a ski trip next Christmas). Success for TCU Press and opportunities to take advantage of challenges we're now missing because we're overworked. And, yes, I want to see my mystery accepted and published. And, a biggie for me, I want to lose 20 lbs. If Lisa could do it, so can I. I don't feel fat but the numbers on the scale horrify me. Having been so skinny for much of my early life ("Judy, dear, can you eat a little more"), I find it hard to see myself as overweight--but I am. So like every new year, 2009 brings challenges, hopes, wishes, and maybe something unexpected and wonderful.

I wish that for all of you.