2024, here we come!
The cottage is cozy enoughtonight that I can almost pretend there’s a raging snowstorm outside. Candlesare flickering but the Christmas lights cast a steady colorful glow. Jordan andChristian have been here for a happy hour drink and gone on to a party. Jacobhas with much excitement gone to a concert with some of his friends. Sophie,having gotten locked out by mistake—how could I?—is asleep in her crate. A potof black-eyed peas simmers on the stove, and the dinner dishes are done. Iindulged in paté for an appetizer, lobster salad and creamed spinach for the mainmeal, and chocolate caramels for that “touch of sweet” my long-ago mother-in-lawalways wanted. A lovely evening that I hope forecasts a much better year ahead.Like many of us, I am ready to kick 2023 to the gutter.
Do you make resolutions? Igave that up long ago, but I have prayers and goals. My main prayer, for me, iscontinued good health. At my age, I think that’s a biggie, and I don’t want anysurprises. For my family, it is peace and joy and safety, especially as mygrandchildren continue to branch off in individual directions. This year, Jacoband Sawyer will mark five either in college or already through—the oldest hasgraduated, has a responsible management job, her own apartment, and is livingthe grown-up life, a thing that much impresses me. Only two left in highschool, both juniors.
For my friends, far and wide, nearand dear, for whom I am most grateful, I wish good health, peace, and joy. Ihope for continued connections and sharing of all that is good in life so thatwe have strength, together, for that which is not so good—and there’s a lot ofthat going around.
What can anyone wish for theworld except peace? I remain horrified at not only the two wars that hold allour attention, but the regime changes and coups in small countries especiallythroughout Africa and South America—each rebellion, each regime change costslives, and we all long for a world without strife and greed for either richesor power. And I wish justice for all the innocents who are caught up inviolence, particularly the people of Israel and Gaza. I read today that 1200Jewish citizens were killed in the Hamas raid; to date, 21,000 plus have diedin Israel’s bloody revenge. I cannot believe that is the path to peace, and Iam horrified.
At home, I pray for commonsense in government, equal justice for all our citizens, and awareness forthose who wear blinders. I want to see the “former guy” convicted andimprisoned, I want to do away with book banning and teacher censoring andschool vouchers and flap over critical race theory. I pray the country comes toappreciate and understand the things the Biden administration has done for ourcountry with the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, theInflation Reduction Plan, the CHIPS and Science Act. America now is in better shape,its economy booming, than it has ever been, and I am proud to be part of that.I only wish those with blinders on could see.
My daughter recently told me Italk politics too much, and I replied that the reason we have a bitter dividebetween our people is that no one spoke up soon enough. So that is one of mygoals: to continue to speak my mind, to work toward what I see as good for thecountry I love and, uphill battle as it is, for Texas, my home state now forfifty-five plus years and the place that gave me its history and literature toshape into my career. I cannot let Texas go to the narrow-minds who haveimposed so many restrictions on us—and yet imposed none on guns. What crazylogic.
And perhaps that brings me tomy personal goal for the coming year—I have two books to see to publication.One is what I see as the final Irene in Chicago Culinary Mystery, though oneshould never count Irene down and out. She is a force to be reckoned with andmight one day again rise up and demand another book. But the other is thecookbook/food history study which looks at how the food of the Fifties,sometimes glorious, sometimes awful, has carried on to affect the way we eattoday. It’s turning out to be a tribute to my mom, who in the Fifties taught meto cook. Over Christmas, with all my family together, I realized how much westill carry on Mom’s traditions.
So that’s me and 2024. How aboutyou?
And, if you’re interested,here are a few more Santa Fe pictures. Counterclockwise; fresh snow, me with Maddie (my oldest grand) and her boyfriend Trevor, and me with the super margarita-making bartender named Juju. Sorry for the misalignment but t's the best I can do.
