Ray and I had pancakes; Amelia arrived about 9:45, when we had finished eating. Sorry, kiddo. Ray and I walked just out to get the newspaper. Then we took showers and dressed and drove to the Fellowship, but we missed the first few minutes of the service. They insist on starting right on time. I would always wait a few minutes, if it was up to me.There weren't very many people in attendance. It was the burning bowl service and I cried a lot. I couldn't sing the hymns, I was crying too hard. You are supposed to write down on a scrap of tissue paper what you leave behind from the old year--good and bad--and then burn it. I wrote whining and complaining and making excuses. We'll see how well it works.

It was nice to see people. I had invited two people to look at the clothes in the back of my car and help themselves. A crowd gathered. It was pretty funny. Ray said it was like being in a third world country. I will bring them again on Wednesday for people in choir.

We were to meet Captain downtown at 12:30, but it took a little longer than that, what with doing business out of my car. Kevin came too. We had brunch at Porterhouse. It was good, but not exceptional. Kevin and Ray had mimosas; Amelia and I had tea; Captain had a bloody Mary. There was an interesting creamy soup, sort of like shredded chicken chowder. Good salad. The honeydew melon wasn't ripe; a perennial problem. There were omelettes and pancakes made to order. Amelia said they tasted like Biscuick pancakes. There was prime rib, very good, but not the best I ever ate, and several other dishes--chicken, pork, fish, with potatoes or rice and veggies. The veggies were, as often happens, too crunchy for me. Amelia couldn't eat any of them because they were mixed with the meat. The desserts were mediocre, so I didn't have any. My Dad seemed pretty good. I tried to get up interest in coming home and playing games, but Kevin was going to watch football and I think that's what my Dad did too.

Ray watched some football, interspersed with other things. He and I played Pairs in Pears. I am also working on sewing together a sweater I knit years ago, with penguins. I'm not sure who will wear it, but at least it will be sewed together. Amelia lay on the couch; Leia napped with her. It was warm enough, but pretty gray out. I made supper. We put up the chickens and went to feed the pigs. We walked home as the sun set; it was pretty nice.

Amelia showed me how she made the paper flowers; I think mine would look terrible. Maybe I can cut out some of the parts and she can put them together. It takes about 20 minutes to make one. This is mind-boggling to me, since you can't do anything else, like watch TV, at the same time. To make 600 will take 5 weeks of 40 hours. We need some 3rd world labor. JK

After supper, Amelia went to Kevin's and Ray and I watched a little TV. I went to bed early. Day one of the new year.