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December 30, 2020 / philosophermouseofthehedge

New Year or floozie, dear?

Don’t know why people are getting a brand new year. They made a mess of the last one. Didn’t their mother ever tell them, “You don’t get a new one until you show you can take care of the one you’ve got”?

The second chance kids should have run out of do-overs by now…but being humans, the lesser species, We guess allowances are being made.

Nooo. That is not the one We selected for Our post – the other one. The other one! Distraction is no excuse, Staff.

Vintage postcard with woman smoking and drinking at New Years party (1907 Skanderborg historic archives (USPD. pub.date, artist life/Common.wikimedia.org)

“Happy New Year! But, hey, don’t tell my mom, OK?” (1907 holiday postcard/USPD/Common.wikimedia.org)

That card is much more suitable for a Kiss-mess post.

The confusion understandable when Greeting Card companies mirror the general appearances and common activities often witnessed even after Kiss-mess.

Humans apparently take some time to recover from the giddiness of sugar and gift overloads.

One cannot fault the artist for portraying the realistic truth.

Drunk man in snowbank on New Year's postcard. 1912 (USPD.pub.date, artist life/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Sad times have not changed since 1912. Muggings happen. Of course it was a crime. No one would actually let that happen voluntarily! Oh. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Moving on to a more inspirational message.

Something that’s a natural progression towards a more productive year

No! No! Dunderhead.

Not encouraging a gift-style product. These two never heard of Hallmark?

Certainly nothing destructive. The environmentally focused will rage hysterically or be struck dumb. Demand forest reparations – who knows.

Elves carving tree with Happy New Year. Victorian circa 1885 (USPD artist life, pub.date/Commons.wikimedia.org)

It’s old. Victorian circa 1885. Being kind hearted, We shall overlook everything: the odd outfits – which are out of place as it is neither Kiss-mess or Mardi Gras – that the National Park Service Rangers are not stopping the vandalism, and the absolute idiocy of this – exactly how are those two planning to deliver that New Year’s greeting to the intended recipient? There is no understanding some things. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Staff is trying my patience. Move aside and let Us browse to find something suitable.

Some people need to be wearing a shock collar and I need to be holding the remote control.

There. THIS one.

THAT is what We wish to offer.

New Years postcard with girl and.bubble. 1877 Victorian. Lib.of Birmingham (USPD.pub.date, artist life/Commons.wikimedia.org)

1877 New Years postcard. Pleasant. Serene. With a lovely caption. (USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Now isn’t that better? Do not respond. We really don’t care.

Oh, see what We have found!

As additional inspiration, We shall also offer this rare opportunity to see a glimpse of Our own upbringing. As an instructional piece suitable to study and inspire.

New Years Greeting. cat siting in pram. 1870's Harry Pointer's Brighton Cats (USPD. pub.date, artist life, reprod of PD art/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Elegance and social grace at an early age. (1870.USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Done.

It would be acceptable to add a memo to leave a small token – a can of food – in gratitude – as is the Custom of the Realm?

Yes, yes, they expect it.

They know, that I know that they know that they will forget with all the excitement, so it is not out of place.

A gentle nudge is a kindness to prevent their embarrassment from a lapse of courtesy.

We accept your appreciative thanks in advance.

So don’t forget to leave an open can of food in the doorway as tribute

Start the New Year properly and in Our good graces

crown symbol with message "I am RC Cat and I approve this message"

I am RC Cat and I approve this message.

RC Cat looking upward to inspire. (© image copyrighted, no permissions granted, all rights reserved)

As We shed 2020 and grow into 2021, We wish to inspire hope and have fun. (© image)

 

 


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28 Comments

  1. SilverTiger / Dec 30 2020 8:00 am

    It seems a pity to abandon this one until we have put it right. Then again, I don’t suppose there’s much to be done with it.

    I expect we’ll cock this one up pretty comrehensively as well. It’s what we do. Can’t leave well alone.

    Liked by 1 person

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Dec 30 2020 8:16 am

      Yep, the enemy of good is “better”…at this point many would be happy to go back to “good enough”. HA HA
      Thanks for taking the time to comment. Onward!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. sustainabilitea / Dec 30 2020 8:31 am

    Better hurry! I don’t know how long that open can will last. At least it’s not summer, when anything out for more than a few seconds would either stink or dry up. 🙂

    I love all the interesting postcards and old photos you find to put in your post. As for the next year…I’ll just wait and see. I’d be happy just to go back to “normal”, but I know “normal” will now have to have “the new…” in front of it, at least for quite some time.

    janet

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Dec 30 2020 9:01 am

      Expecting 80F here today, then massive front hitting warm gulf air, storms and mid 40F’s tomorrow. It’s the winter pattern. RC says, “Just keep the AC turned down and the fireplace on – that takes care of everything”
      The post cards are intriguing – a couple more as the year flops over…like a fish out of water. It seems to me that greeting cards designed for ordinary people are the real reflection of history and culture of an era, not what is written in books…can’t always trust what is written due to authors and revisions later bu those who think they know better than those who were actually there? Ran across some serious ones that reflect serious history enough to make you stop and mull over. Maybe those when “lively” and laughter is not nee3ded quite so much. Hope your end of Dec. is trotting out some delight. Thanks for posting a comment here

      Like

  3. easyweimaraner / Dec 30 2020 8:32 am

    I laughed the first time today about this year as I saw my planner for 2020… it’s as empty as my wallet LOL but we hope 2021 brings better things

    Like

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Dec 30 2020 8:52 am

      That planner emptiness reminds me of the Paul Simon song “…empty as my pockets with nothing to lose” (Diamonds on the sales of her shoes).
      That lyric/phrase does seem to fit. Get out and run yourselves silly (sillier?) as much as possible…it’s the only hope! (Molly’s headed to field and friends – before the massive front with rain and terrible cold) Paws up for trying another year on for size. Thanks for pawsing here

      Liked by 1 person

  4. beth / Dec 30 2020 9:30 am

    ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  5. marina kanavaki / Dec 30 2020 9:48 am

    Pleasant and serene will do nicely!!! Here’s to that, my dear friend! 🥂🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Dec 31 2020 5:08 pm

      A big paws up with that one! (Oh, sorry about the mud….still bright hopes sent your way)

      Like

      • marina kanavaki / Jan 1 2021 2:29 am

        That kind of mud is always welcome!!! Paws back!

        Like

  6. Maggie Wilson / Dec 30 2020 10:28 am

    And the best to you in the coming days! But I need to ask – why the broom in the snowdrift? Was he hit in drive-by sweeping? Puzzling…

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Anne Mehrling / Dec 30 2020 10:32 am

    You are a stitch, and I love it! Your human is much more amazing than you give her credit for.

    Liked by 2 people

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Dec 31 2020 5:14 pm

      RC Cat “We shall relay your kind remark…as long as there is no intention on your part to lure Staff away. We shall offer a conditonless Realm Visa so you may chuckle along whenever. We are always intrigued by the “Leveling and Raising” ritual of your Realm. It makes us smile. Toodles and Happy New year!”

      Like

      • Anne Mehrling / Dec 31 2020 5:31 pm

        Thank you, RC Cat. I’ll make good use of the Realm Visa for hearty laughter.

        Happy New Year!

        Like

  8. cindy knoke / Dec 30 2020 12:49 pm

    Wishing you a Happy & Healthy New Year! ⌚🔢🕛🎊🧨🍾

    Liked by 1 person

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Dec 31 2020 5:10 pm

      Yes, Yes. 2020 was enough surprises and difficulties. Voting for a bright new day and year. Cheers!

      Like

  9. Curt Mekemson / Dec 30 2020 2:35 pm

    Can’t get much better than inspiring hope and having a little fun, Karen! I suspect RC is more on the fun side of the equation. 🙂 –Curt

    Liked by 1 person

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Dec 31 2020 5:16 pm

      RC Cat. “We always do Our best and graciously accept your kind words. Brighter days are coming…you know that…the days are already getting longer – and We cannot wait as Our sunny window isn’t warm nearly long enough right now! Hope your New Years is full of sunny spots! A paw wave sent”

      Like

      • Curt Mekemson / Jan 1 2021 4:30 pm

        Thanks so much RC. I get the warm window. I was curious if you ever catch mice. Grin. –Curt

        Like

  10. Littlesundog / Dec 30 2020 3:48 pm

    Gee, 2020 was such a boon what with the mister working from home and deciding he liked it so much, he’s decided to retire early. 2021 will be an adventure for sure. We have no plans to travel out of country like we had planned on originally. We’ll just be working here on our little ranch and orchard, walking with deer, watching the weather change, floating around in the pool. Yep, going to work on the tan a bit.

    I wish you the best in 2021. Looks like we’re going to have some weather coming from your direction, only it’ll bring snow and ice to us. I hope the weather is more agreeable down there, and that everyone in the Realm can enjoy a fantastic New Year celebration!

    Liked by 1 person

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Dec 30 2020 4:11 pm

      Walking with deer ( Now there’s a great title) sounds like a perfect plan.
      Semi-retirement with home office turned into more full, than semi here, but with deaths in the company and return of serious health problem, rethinking how to use what time you have changed priorities a bit. Like you said, the travel the world dream has faded, but there’s lots to see around this country, so we hope this spring to maybe set out…and maybe find a place to walk with deer or watch the stars in a dark sky. Dreamy but do able. May 2021 send you much laughter and adventures to your door.
      (Hatches battened down here as storms move in, but it looks mostly west and NW of us. Molly Malamute and RC Cat settling in for a nice long sleep. Paw waves!)

      Liked by 1 person

  11. disperser / Dec 30 2020 9:00 pm

    And a happy new year to you as well . . . And RC, who might enjoy this:

    . . . or might take offense to it . . .

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Kate Crimmins / Dec 31 2020 6:29 am

    Happy New Year to RC and the whole clan! Hopefully someone will feed her and she won’t have to call Cat Protective Services!

    Liked by 1 person

    • philosophermouseofthehedge / Dec 31 2020 11:36 am

      Staff: Now we know the reason RC has been practicing her human speaking…Chewys delivers as well as HEB turkey, tuna, salmon ready to eat meals – and Molly has almost mastered the door knob (“or there’s always the window We have assured her…Oh, We shall share tidbits for her efforts. )
      May your Realm find piece of quiet and invisibility during the trying time of home lookers. Happy New Year and onward with style and grace (RC says cats are great instructors of that…of course she says lots of things….)

      Liked by 1 person

  13. bestisyet2come2021 / Dec 31 2020 9:47 pm

    Dear Philosopher, I am new to this and stumbled across your blog. Great job, hopefully I’ll get good at producing my own. I love your content and style.

    Liked by 1 person

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