OK last one...

when we were old enough to stay up late

and actually bring in the new year with the

grown ups

my father would be given a little  packet of something and thrown out the back door

only to re-appear at the front door

as the clock was stricking

mid night

it wasn't for ages that I found out what the hell they were doing

well you know

champers and booze and  a little party partay

made the

old folk act weird sometimes

well

flash forward a few years and it was

husband who was given a little packet and thrown out the back door

only to re-appear at the front

my mother always took care of this

and when my sons were old enough

we threw son #1 out

he has dark eyes which apparently makes it

stronger

for those of you who are lost and thinking of leaving

it's the

first footing tradition

 of which I speak

the first person through the door sets the mood for the year

they are supposed to bring gifts with them

salt

tea

bread

and

money

is what we always did

I always wondered

as I sat in the semi-darkness and watched

 as things were taken out of the cupboards

and pockets and salt cellars and tea caddies

if it made a difference that the first things in

were already here

but

not to be the one to

cross the forces that be

may your first footer bring you

health wealth

and

above all

happiness

I will be trying to figure out the

new gadget

and wondering

how may images I could get if I just kept going....

this is the new toy

I don't know what to do with it

is there an app

for that

if I give it the tea and salt and money and bread

will it tell me

how the hell to

work it

have a good one folks

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

:) :) :) :) :) :) :)