Monday, January 3, 2022

Another Year Begins


My year did not end on a particular high note this year. In fact, I got what felt like devastating news. However, I’m going to make the best I can of the situation. It’s not something I want to discuss just yet, but it put me in a funk all weekend. On New Year’s Day, I tried to take my mind off of my troubles. 

I cooked a nice traditional (or as traditional as I can make it in Vermont) New Year’s meal: collard greens, black-eyed peas, ham, and turkey and dressing. The turkey and dressing is not exactly tradition nor is the ham in my family traditions, but it’s the best I could do. We usually have sliced fried hog jowls (think salty bacon with a hard rind) instead of ham and chicken and dumplings instead of turkey and dressing, but I made do with what I could get.

After lunch, I took a nice leisurely drive. I needed to get out of my apartment for a bit to get my mind off of some things. I didn’t drive anywhere in particular, but I just wanted to be out and about. I just felt restless, and I really needed to clear my mind.

Yesterday, we had rain, sleet, and snow all day. We got at least a couple of inches, which will make going back to work this morning a pain because I’ll have to clean the snow off my car. I love seeing it snow, but snow removal is something I truly hate. It’s also going to be 9 degrees this morning. Our high is only supposed to be 18 degrees. (Those degrees are in Fahrenheit, by the way.)

The good thing is that our new curator at the museum starts today. I can’t wait. I have been looking forward to her starting since we lost our last curator. I’ll still have more than my usual share of work to do until she gets fully comfortable in her new job, but at least the day has finally come. I also hope that having my mind on work will help me to feel better and finally get 2022 off to a good start. 

7 comments:

BosGuy said...

I hope your new colleague proves to be a great help to you and the team.

naturgesetz said...

Sorry to hear you had bad news darkening the beginning of the year.

Your traditional New Year's Day meal is definitely southern. Even your Vermont version is. I don't remember what we usually had on New year's day, but there wasn't a collard green or black eyed pea in sight.

uvdp said...

1/ Nietzsche said "whatever does not kill makes you stronger"; I wish the Lord will accompany you in this devastating ordeal
2/ google translates dressing as vinaigrette (oil with vinegar); is the translation correct?

Joe said...

BosGuy, I think she will be. She seems a very pleasant person, and importantly, she seems competent and knowledgeable.

We southerners definitely have our food traditions, naturgesetz. The bad news will pass, and hopefully, good things will come out of it.

LOL, uvdp. The dressing that google translated is salad dressing. What I am speaking of is the southern version of stuffing, except dressing is not stuffed into the bird. See: https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/cornbread-dressing-recipe. The Southern Living recipe is not exactly like mine, but it is close.

Also, You're right, "What does not kill me, makes me stronger." I'm trying to keep that in mind and believe that there will be a positive outcome to all of this.

Anonymous said...

You seem to be suffering from your usual bad luck. I do hope that the situation improves. Roderick

VRCooper said...

We are here to listen when you are ready...If need be I can cut a bitch...Just let me get my bingo winnings together before you summon...

Dakoda said...

I hope all is well, Joe. For New Year's Dinner, my mother cooked fried pork chops, black-eyed peas, collard greens, and chicken n' dumplings. I also made sausage balls, chips, dill pickle dip, and Kool-Aid because my brother's kiddos and my kiddos don't like the traditional dinner. We carried leftovers home and, by leftovers, I mean COVID. Thankfully, everyone is doing well so far, but not a great way to start the New Year. :(