New Years Day 2023

Every News Day since 1984 I am gobsmacked by the science fiction feel of the new number I need to write or type. We are 39 years past Orwell's dystopian vision and even 22 years past terror of Kubricks soft-spoken HAL.

The year started with a missed field goal in the Peach Bowl. Georgia's football team is far from my favorite team, but when it gets down to a team from our state against one from Ohio, well I gotta cheer for the home folks. I doubt if I slept till two or later.

If the choir had sung at today's service, I'm not sure I would have made it in time. As it was, we could slip in just before eleven and no one knows how recently we were abed. I'm glad we made it. It was a beautiful service of new beginnings. The congregation, as one might expect, was small, and there were no musicians except our pastor (who has a beautiful voice). She led us in singing the first hymn a cappella, interspersing each verse with her quiet prayer. Her elegant pastoral prayer included a beautiful poem. I consulted Mr. Google when I got home and found the poem attributed to in one place to Michael Dougherty and in another to Howard Thurman:

When the carols have been stilled, 
When the star-topped tree is taken down, 
When family and friends are gone home, 
When we are back to our schedules 
THE WORK OF CHRISTMAS BEGINS 
To welcome the refugee, 
To heal a broken planet, 
To feed the hungry, 
To build bridges of trust, not walls of fear, 
To share our gifts, 
To seek justice and peace for all people, 
To bring Christ’s light to the world.

Her sermon is one that I wish more could have heard.

After church we drove through McDonald's for our first meal of the day, Egg McMuffins, and ate them as we drove toward the Lock and Dam Park for the annual First Day Hike. The McMuffins made us late so we had our own own walk along the river to the upstream nature preserve. It was a beautiful day and as always I enjoyed this winter hike --- despite the lack of wildflowers and greenery --- for the clear view of the lay of the land.

We started the path behind campsite 9.

The trail follows the river upstream.

I remember this huge multiple trunked Tulip Poplar from previous walks here. Alas it is much smaller since two of its trunks have fallen.

The trail ends at this wetland.

A observation shelter at the wetland.

Despite the recent wet weather the mass of Resurrection Fern on this tree is already mostly brown.

Not a lot left of the dam.

The mighty Coosa below the dam flows on toward Alabama.

I was pleased that the fencing around the lock is pretty sturdy. I think we could safely bring the grandgirls here next time they come.

At home again it was time soon for the annual New Year meal of Hopping John and such. It was absolutely delicious!

Left: Hopping John (black-eyed peas, tomatoes, rice, turkey sausage) with a splash of hot sauce and a dollop of plain greek yogurt. Right: A couple of cornbread sticks (made in cast iron inherited from my Mother) and some mixed stir fried veggies. The greens and the black-eyed peas are required for good fortune in the coming year. 

Now we are off one one more walk before the sun goes down. 

The skyline of our downtown from beneath the Turner-McCall bridge.

Another skyline from the levee.

Another skyline from the levee.

The Oostanaula in sunset from the Fifth Avenue
 bridge.

The Oostanaula in sunset from the Fifth Avenue bridge.

The City Clock through the branches of a tree at the old courthouse.

Two great Rome landmarks: the City Clock and Schroeder's New Deli.

I this was the first season for the green and red decorations... the one in blue has been around only a little longer.

A window at Schroeders.