So happy just to see you smile
Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2025
As you read this, I’ll be climbing over rocks and overgrown roots, upward toward the observation tower at the apex of the Moore’s Wall trail at Hanging Rock State Park.
Even if the weather is a bit rough.
So I expect. So I plan.
Things don’t always work out according to plan, a lesson that was reaffirmed several times in 2024. But as I write this on Dec. 31, the prognosis looks positive.
It’s not just a First Day activity, this hike I have in mind, joining thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, maybe millions across the country as they stretch their legs and set their intentions for the year, but an attempt to fix something that went astray, both physically and metaphorically.
It was December 2015 when I first resolved to hike the Moore’s Wall trail once a month for the entire year. I succeeded, achieving a tangible sense of accomplishment: I did it. I made up my mind, I persevered, and I did it.
I wrote about it for the Journal:
The first time was on New Year's Day, the air cold and crisp and just a bit wet. I reached the top huffing and puffing, and stood on the observation tower deck shivering for about one minute before hiking back on noodly legs.
But each subsequent trip was easier.
Sometimes my hike would be an energetic dash to the top and back. Other times, I'd linger, taking in the vistas from the observation tower, Winston-Salem a tiny protrusion in the distance. Often I'd include the waterfalls and rock garden. Sometimes in the early mornings I'd catch deer in the open, looking at me as if to say, what are you doing here? Do you know what time it is?
I added:
New Year's Day is my favorite holiday. I usually spend it with "coffee and contemplation," as Police Chief Jim Hopper put it in "Stranger Things." I like the unusual silence of the day, people sleeping in, streets deserted, the seeming pause in time ― how I wish I could pause time ― and often meditate on the theme of renewal, of leaving the past behind and entering new, fresh territory. I wish the first day of the New Year were a period of Jubilee for all of us, allowing us to forgive past debts and enter the future light and unencumbered.
It's the closest thing we have to a do-over.
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In 2021, feeling a desire to once again accomplish something concrete, I resolved to do the 12 hikes again. But in March 2022, I somehow failed to find a single day to travel north, and that was that.
“Couldn’t you do April twice?” more than one friend suggested. But no. This was a time-regulated task and trying to make it up would feel like cheating. In December, any proud proclamation of success would require an asterisk.
That failure has always stung a little bit. But I’m nothing if not hopeful — it’s a curse — so I’ll try again this year.
No, no, wait, I almost forgot my Jedi training. There is no try. There is only do. It is so resolved.
It feels good to have goals. It feels good to plan a future.
My primary goal last year was to slow down and smell the Cranberry Mandarin Spice candles. I had some success, but my schedule was still marred at times by a heaping helping of frustrating hecticity, leading to anxiety.
And the major political upset of the year, an indictment of the values of some 77 million Americans, was demoralizing for people of conscience.
This year doesn’t seem very promising, either, unless you like chaos and dysfunction.
I understand the temptation to turn away — the necessity of it, in some cases.
But the circumstances of life can turn on a dime.
Last week, with the passing of a great man, we were reminded that the corruption of Richard Nixon led to the election of Jimmy Carter. Whatever Carter’s successes or failures, his strong moral character set a new standard for post-presidential accomplishments that has yet to be equaled. Carter’s heart of service earned worldwide respect. As President Joe Biden put it:
And to all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility. He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.
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Who knows what goodness might spring in reaction to the incoming administration?
Timothy Snyder’s 20 lessons in “On Tyranny” might be resolutions, limited or expanded as necessary in reaction to the approaching regime. We’ll be reading them aloud beginning at noon on Monday, Jan. 20, Martin Luther King Day (details below). It will be, I expect, a resolute time. A hopeful time. Maybe even a joyful time. We’ll see.
Join us. Attending entails no commitment except to listen.
Here’s to 2025. I wish you hope, joy, many kitten licks, happiness and prosperity.
…..
Overflow:
First Day Hikes sponsored by state parks, often guided, have grown in popularity over the last decade. Hiking is a much healthier way to begin the year than nursing hangovers:
Pass it on:
Scheduled readers include:
Angus MacLachlan
Page Laughlin
Adrian Smith
Ed Southern
Richard Groves
Susan Parker
John Senior
Jissan Michelle Nicole
Sharee Fowler
Nigel Alston
with more to be announced.
President Biden’s statement on the passing of Jimmy Carter:
When a reporter asked Biden what lesson President-elect and convicted felon Donald Trump (my definition, not his) might learn from Carter — sure, he was baiting Biden, but still — the answer was obvious: The man who calls women “fat pigs,” “dogs” and worse, who lies about immigrants eating pets and publicly praises the size of golfer Arnold Palmer’s putter, could learn “decency.” Of course, this led to a typical Fox News meltdown:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/biden-named-one-thing-trump-152334113.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
One of the show’s hosts, Dr. Nicole Saphier, complained that Biden’s remark was “really upsetting to watch.” She suggested people should only say positive things about those who have died or not say anything at all.
But Biden didn’t say anything negative about anyone who died.
To claim that Trump has no need to learn anything about decency is to be disconnected from reality.
https://www.vox.com/2015/8/6/9114487/republican-debate-donald-trump-women
My own books continue to be available at Bookmarks, Book Ferret and The Eclectible Shop. “Stardust” is also available from the publisher, Press 53. And both are available directly from me.
It’s a new morning; can’t you hear that rooster crowing?
Thanks for being here today! If you know anyone who’d like to join us, send them this way.
Thanks Mick, you are a continuing bright spot in the world. I look forward to what you have to share in 2025. Regarding the hike, my observation is this. I used to be able to make those hikes and now I can’t, so if you happen to miss one, don’t consider it as a failure that prevents you from doing the other months, just revel in the fact that you can do it at all. Happy new year.