NO DATES
It had to be in the 50's when my three single friends and I did not have a date for New Year's eve. Now, that was a terrible thing, it summed up the whole year. We were in our mid-twenties, were not married and did not even have a steady date. In those days if you were still single at that age people thought there was something wrong with you. We really were ahead of the times because today many girls don't get married until they are in their thirties.
Well, we were all feeling down in the dumps because the big night was approaching and we had no plans. Hallelujah the phone rang and it was one of my friends who told me that her married cousin was inviting the three lost souls to her home for dinner New Years eve.
We didn't have dates but we were welcomed to share the evening with some wonderful and very thoughtful people.
A FREEZING NIGHT
Another New Years evening that I'll never forget was here in Florida a few years ago. Every year they have what they call, "First Night" which is held outdoors, live entertainment and all kinds of fun outdoor activities that are part of the gala evening. Tickets were purchased and plans for dinner were made. The restaurant we went to was crowded noisy and expensive.
The forecast for the evening was "low 40's and high winds!" I bundled up, put on whatever I had to buffer the cold BUT, it was freezing out. The girls I went with were hardier souls then I, they had to stay until the ball dropped and if that was not enough we went out for coffee afterwards, I didn't warm up for days!! I never did that again.
FIRST WINTER
Flickr photo by cobalt123
The first winter in Florida, after my husband retired, we went to a Chinese restaurant that not only had good food, but they also had a great band and were right near the ocean! It was the "in place" to go, not only were we with our friends but there were many people there that we knew. It was like old home week!
After midnight my husband and I took a walk on the sandy beach, we were wearing light clothing, no jackets, there was a balmy breeze and a full moon. For newly arrived snowbirds it was an unforgettable experience!