Happy New Year, Hodgepodge!

Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
~Martin Luther

С новым годом!

Joyce has a brand new set of Hodgepodge questions for a brand new year. Thank you, Joyce, and Happy New Year everyone! Happy 2025!

1. Oxford’s Word of the year for 2024 is ‘brain rot’. Are you familiar with this term? Do you suffer from the condition? Ha! This is a term used to ‘capture concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media’. If you were choosing a word to capture 2024 (for the nation/world, not your own life personally) what word would you choose? 

I have to be honest and admit that I am suffering from brain rot because of smart phones, computers, and social media. It is easy to get into the habit of using my phone or computer for everything. I want to read more good books in 2025 and master some good questions to engage friends and loved ones into good conversations.

My pick for a phrase to capture 2024 for our nation would be ‘from downhill to hope’.

2. It’s National Polar Bear Plunge Day (January 1)…will you be participating in one of these events (or even your own)? How will you spend the first day of this brand new year? Do you have a traditional New Year’s Day menu? 

No plunging in the frigid waters for me but some of our kids do that more than just on the 1st. No traditional menus for New Year’s Day. Because I grew up in Southern California I got into the habit of watching the Rose Parade and and the Rose Bowl game on New Year’s Day. There were even years that I enjoyed both in person.

3. What’s something that brings you joy and how will you do more of it in this new year? 

Spending time with family whenever we can brings me joy and I will do as much as is possible in the new year.

4. Do you struggle with the January blues? What’s one thing you can/will do to keep them at bay? 

Thankfully, I do not suffer much from the blues. We have several family birthdays in January and I will concentrate on being thankful for these family members and celebrating them which will keep those blues at bay.

5. Will you choose your own personal word of the year for 2025? What about a goal, resolution, or maybe even a bucket list? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

No personal word but some of the same old goals like losing some pounds which means eating less and exercising more. A new devotional with a reading the Bible plan as part of it is on my desk.

Bucket list is always about adding a place to travel to. We already have airfare purchased for Dallas but where else will we go, LORD willing. Still pondering that.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Another antique postcard Happy New Year Greetings to you all.

Ellen's avatar
About Ellenhttps://happywonderer.com/I am a wife, mother, baba (grandmother) and a loyal friend. Jesus is my King and my hope is in my future with Him.

32 thoughts on “Happy New Year, Hodgepodge!”

  2. Happy New Year.. enjoy the parade and football game. 🙂

    I understand what you mean about using the computer .. brain rot .. my goal in 2024 was to spend more personal time with 4 very close friends of mine. And we did it. Not always easy with schedules, but we got together once every month in 2024!!

    Carla

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  6. I hope you have lots of fun times with your family this year and that you get to travel as much as you want. Keep taking those pictures and having fun!

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  7. I like and agree with your word or phrase of the year. So true! I read quite a few books but like you, I want to read more. I’m not on social media much at all but I do read a lot of news articles and those can be time consuming. Happy New Year!

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  8. I spent far less time on social media this year but have a game I am slightly addicted to and that’s a time sucker. I like to read a few ‘hard’ books each year. I need to think about that for 2025. Happy new year to you!

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  10. You know what, I’m with you. I’m not a reader but I have to start. I will be watching the Rose Bowl parade and one year we went the day after to look at the floats on display. Yes, time with family is the best. Yes, eating less and exercise is important. Love your random. Happy New Year!

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  12. Celebrating birthday certainly helps keep the January blues away! And I think planning for travel and other fun things in the year to come is a good positive thing to do as well. I love your fun family photo!! Happy New Year!!

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  14. Your first and vintage cards are so endearing! Love the family photo – so joyful and spontaneous. You’re blessed, indeed.

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  15. Happy and Healthy New Year! I saw your prior post amd enjoyed your Christmas celbrations. I’m still on a blog break as my husband will be having surgery and will have a lomg recovery. We’ve been preparing. Please keep him in your prayers!

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I read all comments and appreciate them.