Wednesday, December 31, 2025
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? 2025!
The sublime songbird Ella sings the ultimate version of this lovely, classic song..."What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"
I hope whatever you do, you have fun. And stay safe.
I hope whatever you do, you have fun. And stay safe.
Monday, December 29, 2025
Happy Hogmanay 2025 - 2026!
Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year's celebration that takes place over the course of several days. While the festival and its customs date back to pagan celebrations of winter solstice, the word Hogmanay itself is harder to trace. Scholars have guessed that the word possibly comes from the French, Norse, or Goidelic languages.
The largest Hogmanay event, held in Edinburgh, kicks off with a torchlight procession tonight, December 29th, 2024. An enormous crowd of celebrants can enjoy a carnival atmosphere overflowing with Street Theatre, Fire Performers and Drummers, before the Massed Pipes & Drums and Vikings from Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad (SMUHA) lead the procession in a river of light through the capital’s historic Old Town.
Events continue through the 30th. This year, the Night Afore Concert at Ross Band Stand, Princes Street Gardens features Stornoway's folk-rock stars Peat & Diesel. And on the 31st, you can attend the Silent Adventures Mega Silent Disco, or enjoy Edinburgh's Street Party featuring live music, DJ’s, giant screens, International Street Theatre, Pipers, drummers, funfair attractions, and delicious street food & drink. Then Wet Leg are set to headline Concert in the Gardens this Hogmanay, ringing in the New Year beneath the spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Joining them are Scottish favourites Hamish Hawk and Lucia & The Best Boys for a night of anthems, energy and of course an overwhelming firework display at the stroke of midnight created by pyrotechnic wizards Titanium
January 1st is Ne'erday, a contraction of New Year's Day. The celebrating and "first-footing" continue, and many Scots still observe the day with a special dinner of steak pie. And for a real pick-me-up hangover cure, you can try the annual Loony Dook costumed cold plunge which takes place in the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry. Show up in costume--over your wet suit of course, it's freezing!
https://edwinterfest.com/hogmanay
The largest Hogmanay event, held in Edinburgh, kicks off with a torchlight procession tonight, December 29th, 2024. An enormous crowd of celebrants can enjoy a carnival atmosphere overflowing with Street Theatre, Fire Performers and Drummers, before the Massed Pipes & Drums and Vikings from Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad (SMUHA) lead the procession in a river of light through the capital’s historic Old Town.
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| Photo: Keith Valentine |
There are many charming New Year's customs in Scotland. "First footing" is the idea that the first person to cross the threshold of your home is a harbinger of good luck. Starting immediately after midnight, people call on friends, going from house to house for much of the night and even into the morning and next day, with over half the population of Scotland observing the practice of "first-footing." It is good luck for the "first-footer" to be a tall, dark male. Traditionally, this male would bring gifts of a coin (symbolizing prosperity), bread/ black bun fruitcake (symbolizing food), salt (flavor), coal (warmth), or a drink (good cheer). These days, a "first-footer" usually just brings the whiskey!
January 1st is Ne'erday, a contraction of New Year's Day. The celebrating and "first-footing" continue, and many Scots still observe the day with a special dinner of steak pie. And for a real pick-me-up hangover cure, you can try the annual Loony Dook costumed cold plunge which takes place in the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry. Show up in costume--over your wet suit of course, it's freezing!
Haud Hogmanay, everyone!
https://edwinterfest.com/hogmanay
Saturday, December 27, 2025
BEAUTY: Painting For Winter--Misc. Artists
Top to bottom: Sean William Randall, Light Flight; Sergei Danchev, In The Winter Forest; Serhii Kachin, untitled cabin in snow; Vasily Khudyakov, February Lace; Waldemar Fink, Evening in Adelboden; Wilf Perreault, Moonlit Glow; William Hays, First Snow; William Victor Higgins, Snow; Yu Chengyou, Snowy Mountains and Blue Lake; ZZ Wei, Winter White
Friday, December 26, 2025
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
It's Midnight At Christmas 2025
"Snowflake" by Kate Bush...
I was born in a cloud...
Now I am falling.
I want you to catch me.
Look up and you'll see me.
You know you can hear me.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
We're over a forest.
There's millions of snowflakes.
We're dancing.
The world is so loud. Keep falling and I'll find you.
I am ice and dust. I am sky.
I can see horses wading through snowdrifts.
My broken heart, my fabulous dances.
My fleeting song, fleeting.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
My broken heart, my fabulous dance.
My fleeting song, my twist and shout.
I am ice and dust and light. I am sky and here.
I can hear people.
I think you are near me now.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
We're over a forest.
It's midnight at Christmas.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
I think I can see you.
There's your long, white neck.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
Now I am falling.
Look up and you'll see me.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
In a moment or two.
I'll be with you.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
Be ready to catch me.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
Kate Bush taught me how to fly.
http://www.katebush.com/
I was born in a cloud...
Now I am falling.
I want you to catch me.
Look up and you'll see me.
You know you can hear me.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
We're over a forest.
There's millions of snowflakes.
We're dancing.
The world is so loud. Keep falling and I'll find you.
I am ice and dust. I am sky.
I can see horses wading through snowdrifts.
My broken heart, my fabulous dances.
My fleeting song, fleeting.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
My broken heart, my fabulous dance.
My fleeting song, my twist and shout.
I am ice and dust and light. I am sky and here.
I can hear people.
I think you are near me now.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
We're over a forest.
It's midnight at Christmas.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
I think I can see you.
There's your long, white neck.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
Now I am falling.
Look up and you'll see me.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
In a moment or two.
I'll be with you.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
Be ready to catch me.
The world is so loud. Keep falling. I'll find you.
Kate Bush taught me how to fly.
http://www.katebush.com/
Lights Will Guide You Home 2025
On this Christmas Eve, may you find your way home, where ever that may be, even if it is only in your heart.
Monday, December 22, 2025
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