I see lots of wildlife out on the river when I’m paddling, but this gorgeous bald eagle was sunning himself  on top of a tall fir tree just up the street this morning.  Actually,  the announcement went out on our neighborhood website that there were a pair of them, but I could only see one when I got up there with my camera and zoomed in.

From this angle, his body looks foreshortened.  When he flew away, I could see that his wingspan was about seven feet.

Started out with two good buddies sleeping in on the foot of the bed.

And finished the day with this beautiful sky:

Zipped out to you-know-where this morning to get some andouille sausage, my own addition to the traditional Hoppin’ John.  (Must have black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day for good luck.)  I’ll be taking it out to Barb’s this evening for an end-of-the season supper.  Others will provide cornbread and some dishes they consider essential for health and happiness in 2014.

Anyway, when shopping for the sausage today, January 1, I was greatly relieved to see that I could buy all my valentines and get right on to the business of addressing them.

Instead, I went on to ACE for a couple of things I could not find at Fred’s (Hard to believe!)   I needed a special light bulb for the stair well.  Would you believe that now one cannot just buy a spherical, 60-watt bulb?  I had to choose between an $18.00 one supposed to last for 22 years or a $9.00 one supposed to last for 9.  How on earth do they come up with these numbers?   I went with the “cheaper” one.  Just not sure what my plans might be in 22 years.

Also picked up a reel to wind up the lights on the holly tree when I take them down.  This will definitely be after The Feast of the Epiphany.  I might even leave them up until my birthday.  It can get really gloomy at the 45th parallel north in the winter and colored LED’s are very cheerful.

Came home for the ritual of taking down last year’s Maui Calendar and putting up the new one.

This has become quite a tradition and we really missed it the year Elizabeth spent the winter in Crested Butte and  sent Colorado sussies instead that Christmas.

Having a little non-fat, sugar-free hot chocolate in this one this morning.  Don’t scoff!  It’s delicious with frothy skim milk on top.

Apparently, imbibing in other-than-hot-chocolate beverages is still a big New Year’s Eve tradition in circles other than my own, I am sorry to report.  I heard on the news yesterday that considerate hosts will take away guests’ car keys and pay the fare for them to take a cab home.  Seriously?