January 1, 2024 —Do we ever grow tired of  raving about great weather days? Apparently not, it’s the first day of 2024 and we are completely mad about it: blue skies, sunshine, warmth…let most of the days this year be the same, except of course we need our regular downpours per direction from the plants, trees and nail-clipped lawns…

From all reports the Moon Drop celebrations that began in downtown Mobile yesterday afternoon and concluded at midnight, were a fun success. Sadly, there appears to have been an altercation between at least two individuals on Dauphin Street a few minutes after midnight and one shot and killed the other. Unfortunately this kind of occurrence is not unique to Mobile and occurs in many cities across the country. Literally hundreds of thousands of people now carry guns on their person, and gun regulations are a lot less strict than they used to be, with permits not being required to carry concealed weapons in many states. If someone bumps into you – walking or driving – think not twice but at least three times about how you want to react to it. There is no published report yet on what occurred last night, but nothing is worth a life being taken for it….

Today a lot of people in Alabama and Michigan and elsewhere, will be watching the annual Rose Bowl. We hope the best team will win and we all know who that is…

Did you know you have your very own room in downtown Mobile? It’s called The Peoples Room of Mobile and this Saturday there will be An Evening with Eric Erdman beginning at 8:00 PM…the local songwriter/singer just got back from a recording session in Los Angeles.. I heard his “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” on 92 Zew and it’s definitely destined for fame…

I received my monthly newsletter from the Mobile Botanical Gardens and they have enough activities planned over the next few months to keep all of us busy – writing, painting, lunches in the garden (or to go if you are in a hurry) even a Tai Chi class that begins on January 9th…if you haven’t been to the Gardens, in Langan Park, then you have done yourself a huge disservice and I say stop being so mean to yourself and get out there…

Right up the street from the Gardens is the Mobile Museum of Art where there is never a dull moment and where you will find regularly scheduled art events with entry free on Thursdays, but the annual membership is inexpensive and worth every penny…

The stunning featured photo is Max, who just got back from a road trip where in New Mexico he picked up a Baja Hippie Hoodie, and Rex, who also made on the trip and sometimes thinks he is a wolf…they come visit every day and get a nice plate of food…

Speaking of food…Doordash just ask me if I wanted half off my next order and of course I do but not today since the black-eyed peas and cabbage will soon be on the stove top, along with cornbread and steak…and for the record, it’s not like I only cook blacked-peas or cabbage just once a year – they are a favorite several times a year, almost up there with lima beans and fried chicken, turnip greens with ham hock, sweet iced-tea and banana pudding…and do not forget fried green tomatoes…

Oddly, I didn’t make any New Year resolutions – it almost seems like those, along with throwing people under the bus and that’s how I roll, have gone out of fashion…have you ever tried throwing someone under a bus? It’s not easy, and takes not only excellent timing but a whole lot of strength to boot…

I just received a report straight from Rose Bowl territory where a relative has made friends with a Michigan fan who lives in Huntsville, Alabama and will not be able to return to work if Michigan loses…my relative says he hopes the man has a nice 401k…

If you made it this far, have a great New Year. If you didn’t then it doesn’t matter because you won’t see this anyway…okay, sometimes I try to be funny and sometimes it doesn’t work out…cheers…