Wishes for the New Year!

 Here we are, getting ready to usher in another year. In reality, 2025 will probably be pretty much like  years past. There will be drama, disasters, good days and bad, and most of the New Year's resolutions made will probably never be honored.

I was just reading the usual article in the Caledonian Record citing brief interviews with a variety of people in our area asking them what they wish for in the New Year. I thought the majority were pretty normal and what we all hope for, but it seemed to me there was little enthusiasm. What does one say when a microphone is trust into your face and you are asked to speak off the cuff? Most of us need time to think about such a weighty question.

My wishes are pretty basic this year - good health, continued treasured friendships, and a whole lot less anger and disrespect among people everywhere. I wish I thought that would happen with a new president and new administration in Washington - but too much to hope for, I'm afraid. I wish more youngsters might somehow learn to be kind to others, and how to navigate the real world without anger, self-doubt, and violence. I wish parents had better values to pass on to their children - more loving thoughtfulness and guidance so kids wouldn't feel so angry and resentful that the turn to destructive behavior such as drugs and violence. And that harmful drugs cold be eliminated.

I wonder why it is that humans act so horribly toward one another. How in the world did we get to this place? I have lots of questions, but darned few answers. I don't envy young parents trying to bring up their children in this "new' world.

There are a few things I think many of us here at Joe's Pond would put on our "wish list" for the New Year - relief from wake boats, and eradication of the Eurasian water milfoil infestation and a few other invasives that have cropped up to cause concern at the pond might be top contenders. Fewer blistering-hot days and torrential rainstorms next summer and better snow-pack for winter sports without the deep cold to unseasonably warm temperature swings might be right up there, too. 

By the way,David Kidney is doing a great job getting the facts out to the public about the JPA petition to the state to have the law changed so Joe's Pond will be off limits for them. He recently did an

interview with WCAX. He also spoke to local Select Boards and both Danville and now Cabot are supporting the change.

I'm kitty-sitting Grandaughter Tangeni's cat, Thor for a few days while  she and her family are away on vacation. I've had Thor before, so we understand each other pretty well. He's older this time and not quite as rambunctious, but he's bigger and heavier, stronger, and just as inquisitive as ever. He has found all the high places in the house, even spots way too small to accommodate him - sometimes at the expense of whatever is on that high shelf. I only investigate the crashes now - the occasional thumps and bumps can wait. I moved all my toxic plants into my bedroom to keep him (and them) safe.

When I was growing up I think we almost always had a cat. I remember bringing home a barn cat one time and what chaos that caused. The poor thing was terrified when I released it in the house. My mother didn't help. I think that was one of the few times I saw her really upset. The cat was literally flying around our living room from window to window - clinging to the curtains, and bouncing off shelves and furniture. We finally captured the poor thing and returned it to the barn.

Then there was the time I disobeyed the rule and let our cat in from the shed where she normally was at night and she had kittens on the pillow next to me. That was a lesson learned!

Cats always were free to go outside, and while there wasn't much danger that they would be run over by traffic, there were other dangers. One of my cats lost a foot to the mowing machine when my father was mowing the field in back of our house. She survived and lived a long life, navigating well on three legs.

We had a big yellow make cat that came with my Grandfather McAllan to live with us. "Foxy" and my grandfather were inseparable. When my grandfather went for a walk, Foxy was with him. He waited patiently until my grandfather was settled in his chair smoking his pipe after a meal, then it was lap time. Foxy tolerated the rest of the family but he was clearly my grandfather's best friend. The day after my grandfather died, Foxy disappeared and we never saw him again.

Many years later when I had my own family and was  living in St. Johnsbury, Jamie brought a kitten home against my wishes. We had a rule that rooms could be messy up to a point - just close the door until you make it presentable. I was in and out of Jamie's room numerous times before I discovered the kitten. It was several days before I discovered her. She was warm and well fed and had a litter box, and everyone knew she was there except me. Jamie explained that she was the last of a littler at a friend's and he didn't want to leave her alone in their cold garage. She was truly an ugly cat. Jamie named her "Hideous." She was strange. She'd lash out unexpectedly when we were petting her, bite and claw us in attack mode - and then would march off like she was offended. She was with us a long time and had a good life. We just learned she had limits.

And then there was Woodpile. He was a stray that hung out one summer by our house. Fred and I "captured" him that fall when the weather was getting really cold. Long story there, but Woody became my buddy. He was a gentle giant and accepted baby Tangeni as soon as she was brought into the house. As she grew older, he tolerated her investigating his tail, ears, eyes, whiskers - and later loved playing with her - never rough, always patient. She loved him dearly, and I think he loved her. When he was killed by some animal one night while sitting in the driveway, she sent a balloon skyward with a note to him in kitty heaven. I decided I didn't want to have another cat to love and mourn. I'm happy to have Thor here for a few days, but he's Tangeni's cat, well loved and content, another gentle giant.

My wish for the New Year to all of my readers is that the year brings you good health, love, great happiness, security, and peacefulness.