I forget the exact year, mid 40's, my family was in New York. We were staying in a hotel right downtown. I went down to the lobby to see the crowd outside, stepped outside and was swept into the crowd milling around. I had to do a few blocks up and a few blocks down before I got back to the front of the hotel.
In '44 we took a trip to Miami, Florida to meet my brother who was going to fly up from Cuba, where he was stationed. I remember the morning after, looking out of the window, the town was full of service personnel, many who had really celebrated the night before, bodies, in uniform, everywhere, some walking, some staggering, some sleeping. I was the official "gofer" every morning, going to a nearby Orange Juice Vendor who had great donuts.
I vaguely remember "trying" to stay up for that magic moment when we proclaimed "Happy New Year." I remember "Kippers," I think they were called, some sort of fish, and an appropriate food item to eat on the New Year.
The "Blackboard" is erased at midnight, the slate is clean, a whole new year to change your ways, so many things to accomplish, and a whole new year to do it in, a "second chance" on life.
I'm off to Walmart, boneless port ribs, sauerkraut, masked potatoes for dinner, gonna slow cook them, I think, Caraway seeds and apples in the sauerkraut. I must admit, It has been a few years since I was "awake" at midnight, seems like the year arrived without my assistance ... Happy New Year to ALL.
I'm
