Hello 2014! (photo freighted, fair warning)

The Sun setting on 2013. Good bye!

I would suggest singing Hello 2014 to the tune of Hello Dolly! but it simply doesn't roll off the tongue. Or not off of mine anyway. But tongue trippingly or not, 2014 is here and let us bid a fine and fond welcome to the next 365 days of life, love, steadfastness and steady and/or sudden changes. Put your whole self in and shake it all about.

Thank goodness someone brought Shirley her glasses, I don't think I could see in a new year without seeing her in them. Tradition matters!

With good sense from well learned lessons, food fortification was the watchword before hitting the happy streets of town. Walking in to avoid vehicular madness worked well, coming and going. The second the main road was in sight, some chappie was being hauled - carefully - away in handcuffs (something I've never seen happen here, but fine with me) before the games had even officially begun. I saved my applause to see how the rest of the evening went and I won't keep you in suspense, it was wonderfully uneventful, as it happens; the only other boys in blue escort I saw was for a very wobbly creative walker and he was cuff free. Hooray for our on and off island police! Thanks for keeping the flow going well.

The band (one of a few) was already playing on the ferry dock. Which was kind of scary, it was only 8 o'clock. Scary good!

Raise your hand if you miss Pincho Joe's pinchos and rotisserie chicken!

Random table

Random humans

Adorable nina and one of the hard working women from the bank.

We stopped a moment at Dinghy Dock. Most of the usual suspects were either working or in town, but Chuck kept the visitors entertained. Oh, and this guy in front here, who is not a visitor, unless it is from Planet Musica.

Dad gave permission, how could I resist? I could not.

Familiar faces in familiar places (even if I might never get used to the whole Chinese Restaurant and Casino idea without laughing)

There were a couple of us taking photos, if you would like an explanation. People kept jumping into the moment and here we were.

While this might seem to be about shoes, it is not. It is about the Bad Box. I can't tell you what is in it, I can only say a certain tall someone was contemplating making loud naughtiness. If he eventually did, I was gone. Bad box.

One of my neighbors,  occasionally

Sparkling girls

Familia! Thanks, Carolyn, for getting me some coquito, it was the best yet and now my holiday season is complete.

And there was dancing, lots of dancing

I have no idea what is going on here but it was so Ricky - let it roll

Lisa and Helena. When did our girl get so tall? Oh, heels help but she's got us short ones topped!

Shiny happy good people. I'd say that in Spanish too, if I wasn't a language slug.

Brought to you by 1927! Sam Spade and his gal Delores Da Bomba.

Some feisty, funny and fun loving cruisers. Hey, you boat folk clean up good!

If you can't take your eyes off of Shay's shoes, I understand.

This moment. Oh!

Just in case you wonder if exercise and living the fit life works into your 70's? It certainly can.

She is not in her 70's.

This was getting to be the time of evening (long past my normal shut eyes to wander Dreamland time) that the camera began to take on a life of its own - see Kelli, my rain dancing partner, above - so many wonderful photos had to go by the shaken not stirring wayside. There was kissing (thank you, #1, #2 and #3 Hunky Guys to be Kissed at Midnight for playing along for a few of us) and cheering and the best fireworks ever to bring in 2014. Then it began to rain, many began to run. We chose dancing and laughter, a fine omen if there ever was one or two or three. Note to a few: clothes dry. 

Happy New Year! Feliz Anos Nuevo!

A tremendous thank you to the public, shop/keepers for having lots of clean up going on. And to our trash crews, woot woot!!! There was barely any trash to be seen in town at 7 this morning. If you see any, pick it up and find a place for it before it blows into the water. Let's make this a year of picking up after ourselves and others too, we really are all in this together and lending a hand might be a surprisingly full of rewards move to make many times this year. God knows the opportunity will be there enough. 

Did that really happen? 

Have a give willingness a whirl Wednesday. Do something waggish.

p.s. Be especially kind to any workers you encounter today (everyday, but especially today). They got up early and will be working hard all day and into the evening to keep you happy. Respond accordingly. Nice is good. Be nice.