… and for those of you without hangovers, congratulations!

This morning … and technically it is still morning here where I am … I am thinking of New Years Day traditions.

How every New Years Day morning, my family would gather around the TV to watch the Tournament of Roses Parade … while munching on Wise Potato Chips and Philadelphia Cream Cheese Dip … after my brother and I licked the beaters clean.

Breakfast of Champions … at least for New Years Day.

Just called my Dad (87) and wished him and my Mom (86) a Happy New Years as we each had the parade on in the background … USMC Band playing proudly to lead off the parade.

And I’m thinking of Pork and Sauerkraut … and how I really don’t like Sauerkraut … never have. Now if I really was 100% German, then I would love the stuff, right? Should have been my first hint.

But each year I would choke down the stuff … hopefully covered in mashed potatoes to kill the taste … but not the promised good luck for the new year.

I have tried other foods on New Years day instead … while living with the Italian, we had lasagna. Lots of good years with lasagna.

Then we went off course … delightfully so … and started treating ourselves to Lobster. A whole one pound, at least, Maine Lobster for each of us, plus one more for good measure … boiled for us at the store and immediately eaten at home.

If we were lucky, his chef instincts would kick in the next day and there would be some amazing feast of left over Lobster and Pasta and Lord Knows What.

I have continued this Lobster tradition since he left … until today.

Today I will be joining my friend Texas Linda shortly … to have one of her Southern New Years traditions … Hoppin’ John … and exactly how lucky will black-eyed peas be for me in the coming year anyway?

Time will tell.

Two quotes jumped out at me today.

Of course today being the Anniversary … ‎150 years ago today, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation … that is one of them.

And as a side note, upcoming this year will be the 150th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. I told a friend this morning I would tag along with him this spring as they get the area ready for the celebration later this year …

 But the other quote that hit me square between the eyes was this one … by Neil Gaiman … and on this note I will wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year.