New Year's in a Pasture

Happy New Year 2011!

I look forward to the happenings and fortunes of this New Year. My resolutions are still being formed, as I've had a hard time sticking to them in the past.

We spent our New Year’s Eve with the Crowell’s. The evening was on their ranch and we watched a lot of football as we counted down to the New Year’s Eve. I got into the College Bowl Games and found myself to be quite feisty and unlikeable! I am too competitive over the things in life I cannot control. Pish Posh. I lost four games in one day. I think next year that I will study the stats. Besides the point but money is a motivator for me watching sports. I loathe that I discovered a new found love in football.

Anyway, our New Year’s Eve was quite different from those of the past. I recall many New Year’s with my best friends and nights that had stories we struggled to remember. This year, we watched the ball drop for Eastern Time zone the girls. We even had sparklers that we did under the Texas Sky. Laney is a diva. They both love their Paw Paw Crowell.

Once we finished the sparklers and watching the ball drop in New York, we found ourselves at 11:15 PM in the kitchen discussing if we should drive into Fredericksburg for a quick night cap or sit on the couch to introduce the New Year. We simply grabbed the keys and left for Main Street. About two miles into the trip, we, Matthew and I, realized we were going because we thought the other wanted to go. In this instance, I thought Matthew wanted to celebrate New Year’s in town and vice versa. Quickly we came to the understanding that we were appeasing the other and turned around to head for the pasture. What a simple easing into a new year; a perfect introduction.

We watched a raccoon sip water out of a stock tank under the near midnight sky. Meanwhile we shivered in the dark night deep in the hills of Texas. I had a Coca Cola to celebrate with as my “fizz” and a glamorous Milky Way glowing proudly that I continue to be enchanted with. I find nothing more glamorous in God’s creation than the sprinkled stars and blanket of diamonds that mesmerize me outside the city lights. Plain bliss.

The countdown may not have been exact but we counted down the last ten seconds of 2010 as we would have in any New Year’s setting. Just us. And the surrounding blackness that nights in the hill country present.

I’ve come to realize that my New Year’s Eve’s may not ever be the same as they once were. I cherish those days. I yearn for countdowns with friends and late night stories. But maybe this year I needed a calming moment with Matthew. Apparently needed moments with the wildlife and bitter cold. Perhaps 2012 will be welcomed with a mask and a costume. Until then, wishing you and yours a blessed and happy year.