Puppy had a great Hogmanay. She was at the village ceilidh for the midnight celebrations and then reappears at our door at seven am. Puppy has kryptonite fueled levels of energy. Her sisters are sensibly asleep although they may show up soon as the farmer has just driven by in his tractor to start work on the Brussel Sprout field by the heron pond.
Town remarkably busy. Parents who might have expected a long lie in on New Year are reminded that babies and toddlers have routines that are quite simply inviolable. This morning fathers wheeling push chairs join the dog walking regulars on the embankment. The local hotels are full to bursting as are the car parks. New Year , by tradition, is a bigger holiday than Christmas in these northern parts.
We walk back up the hill towards the catholic church. A retired history professor at last nights village gathering told me the church is built on the spot where witches were burnt in the sixteenth century. He also told me that 1) Auld Lang Syne was the music General Grant ordered played after he agreed the end of hostilities with General Lee and 2) and, rather bizarrely, he thought that the most emotional version of Auld Lang Syne was when it was sung by Ronald and Nancy Reagan :https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4938833/president-ronald-reagans-farewell-wh-staff-east-room-ended-singing-auld-lang-syne
We've never been in the catholic church before. It's built with marble and, at this time in the morning, is decidedly chilly. It does however have a very jaunty nativity scene.
26 comments:
Happy New Year to you and yours, Angus. Thank you again for all your stories.
Happy New Year to you.
My girl Paca can match Puppy's energy levels, no chance of a New Year lie-in here, there are garden cats to be chased!
Happy New Year to you & the Font from North Wales. Looking forward to another year of your beautiful photos.
Hari OM
All the very best, Angus, and may 2024 reveal itself gently as it comes towards you. Thank you for introducing us to yet another stunning voice... YAM xx
Best wishes for the new year to the both of you. Thank you for continuing to post over the years, it’s a joy to read.
A photo of the energetic Puppy is a joyous start to your 2024 blog! Best wishes for 2024 to you and The Font.
Happy New Year! May the year be filled with the enthusiasm of puppy!
Happy New Year, may it be filled with happy memories. Thank you for sharing. I think Puppy shares Bob's philosophy that, "today is the best day ever". 😊
Yes, Puppy is the perfect way to start the new year!
Puppy's bright face always brings big smiles here. I like picturing her among the attendees at the festive gathering. Thank you again for superb music. I'm a little suspicious of the Grant connection with the song. Perhaps, but in all we have read, can't recall this.
Happy New Year! As others have already said, what better way to start 2024 than with a picture of the ever adorable Puppy.
Stephanie - Can't vouch of its accuracy but here's a link describing Grants use of the song.
What delightful pictures you post to begin the new year. And lovely music. Makes one forget the horror out there for a bit... Wishing you both and all your followers a peaceful and healthy 2024.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
There are many myths and tall tales about Lee and the surrender. The retired professor passed one along to you. It's true that after Lee arrived at the McLean house, Grant chatted about their service in the Mexican-American War, until Lee said they should get down to business. The letters of terms and acceptance of the surrender were exchanged, and Lee left around three in the afternoon. Lee paused at the top of the steps, Grant and his staff removed their hats, and Lee returned the gesture. Then Lee mounted Traveler and left. There was no music of any kind.
Grant dismissed many of the tales like Lee had offered him his sword as pure romance.
Yes, Travel, may we all enjoy the enthusiasm and curiosity of Puppy during 2024!
Thank you again, M'Ongoose for your daily missives.
I'm not sure about the choice of music that Grant asked for, but you can be sure it wasn't "Dixie!"
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(¸.•´(¸.•´ (¸.•¨¯`* ♥
★HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!★
Thank you for the reply but I don't see a link.
As others have done, I would like to thank you for your time and trouble in giving us all the pleasures of this blog. Much appreciated. I appreciate it particularly because it takes me back home to Fife and especially to St Andrews which I know well from relatives who live there and from university time. Every picture you post takes my memory back to happy times and events that happened to me there. I love living here in Llandudno where I have family but do have homesickness for where I was born and surely that is what Auld Lang Syne is all about.
Happy New Year!!! I'm told the first one to enter your home on New Year's Day is of special importance. Puppy clearly fills the bill, doesn't she?
Stepahnie - Ooops ! Here it is - https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/hell-auld-lang-syne-become-official-song-new-years-eve/
May we all have the fortitude and fearlessness of darling Puppy in the year ahead. We are going to need it. Thank you for the charming daily vignettes you provide to your devoted readers all around the world. It is such a fun privilege to share your lives. And if you do add a new PON puppy or two in 2024, I am sure Puppy will be over more than ever to play with companions closer to her age.
I would title your first photo, Puppy and Pansies!
Aha! Thank you. :)
Happy New Year to you and yours. Regards to Puppy and her sisters.
Hello,
I checked the site you linked. That's rubbish. There wasn't a band at the McLean house, where the terms of surrender and etc. were signed. "Auld Lang Syne" wasn't one of the songs soldiers sang during the Civil War.
The North sang Battle Hymn Of The Republic, Just Before the Battle, Battle Cry of Freedom, Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Marching Through Georgia, All the Pretty Little Horses, and Drums Of War. The South favored I Wish I Was In Dixie, Bonnie Blue Flag, Lorena, Yellow Rose of Texas, Good OL Rebel, God Save The South, Riding A Raid, Dixie, The Land of King Cotton, and The Southern Wagon.
More than you cared to know.. History was my primary major and I cannot abide misinformation.
I appreciate your comment. It amazes me that someone made up such nonsense.
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