BEST NEW YEAR’S EVE EVER

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I have celebrated many New Year’s eves. Some out. Most at house parties at either my home or that of a friend. I learned early in life that New Year’s eve was amateur night and so avoided public places.

My best New Year’s eve was one I spent alone with my father. We were at my Utica home. Earlier we had enjoyed a huge meal with the family. Everyone was out partying after dinner.

That year had not been a good one health wise for my father. This was 15 plus years ago. He would have been around 83. I suspected it would be Dad’s last New Year’s eve. He would not make it through the new year.

He surprised us all! He passed on two years ago at the age of 98.

I wanted to be with him. I wanted to be alone with him.

Everyone had left by 10. I suggested we sit and enjoy a drink before he went home. We were there till one in the morning.

We sat in front of the fire in two wing backs facing each other. Dad rarely drank. I convinced him to have one. He sipped it for three hours.

We talked about everything. My mother, of course. She had been gone a number of years by then. The conversation moved pleasantly along. At midnight, we hugged and kissed and said I love you to each other.

The memory of the evening has never left me. The time with Dad an intimacy difficult to repeat any time with any one.

My plans for last night were flexible. Stay home or go out for a couple of drinks.

Syracuse was playing Cornell at 6. I wanted to watch the game. I did, from home. I intended to go out afterwards. I was alone. Don’s Place and the Chart Room for a drink or two with friends. Then home and in bed well before midnight.

Syracuse won handily. The team is developing. It has developed big time in the past three weeks. Tournament play begins saturday. What will be, will be.

The game was over at 8. Time to shower again, get dressed and be on my way. Too much work, I thought. I ended up staying home. Poured myself a drink and watched a bit more of TV. At 9, I went to bed. Was asleep soon thereafter. Woke just before one. In time to catch the reruns of New Year’s eve all over the world.

Such an exciting life!

Enjoy this New Year’s day!

DAY 23

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I can’t wait to get out of Dodge!

In the past two days, I have been in an automobile accident and fallen two times.

The accident you already know about. The falls are another story.

I have been falling on a frequent basis this past year. Generally stub my toe going up stairs. Forget there is one or two more steps going down.

My first fall yesterday had nothing to do with stairs. Chaise lounges have become a problem, also.

Around lunch time yesterday, I was getting up off a lounge chair by the pool. Rising from low levels has become as much of a problem as the stair bit. I lost my balance in the process. Turned to grab the back of the lounge. Spun myself around to avoid falling. Still fell. Sprained my lower right back. I still am having spasms. Also must have strained something inside in the area of the appendix. Hurts getting up. I no longer have an appendix, however.

Last night, I decided to walk down to Chora for dinner. The previous two nights had been spent eating in the hotel. Pain and all, I was on my way.

My hotel is below street level. A dozen steps to the top and the street. I stubbed my toe on the last step. Down I went. Hard. Tried to break my fall. Somehow my right wrist got in the way. I felt something snap. Terrific! Just what I need, I thought. A broken wrist.

Three ladies were walking along the road nearby. They rushed over and attended to me. They looked scared. In spite of my protestations that I was alright. My right wrist hurt. I wanted to get up. I have already told you I have problems getting up from low levels. Especially the ground itself. I explained this to the ladies. Two of them helped me up.

No going down the hill to Chora for me last night!

I went into the hotel dining room instead. My friend Christina was running the shop. Told her I needed an ice bag and the Beefeater bottle immediately. Yes, my hotel is one of the few places in Mykonos that carries Beefeater. I believe they went out and bought it special for me.

I covered the wrist in ice. Poured my first gin. I wanted to be pain free as much as possible. Did not want to get involved with a hospital till I knew I really needed one. Like tomorrow morning.

Gin #2 followed soon after gin #1. Drank it a bit slower.Then went to gin # 3. Drank that one even slower.

By this time, between the ice and gin, I was feeling no pain.

I had no appetite. Offered my thanks and headed off to bed.

This morning told the tale. No break, fortunately. Wrist swollen. Hurts. No discoloration. Back spasms worse.

About twenty years ago, I rented a house on Block Island for a couple of weeks. The whole family came! They were sleeping everywhere!

Block Island is off the coast of Rhode Island. A terrific summer vacation place. Sun, beaches, clams, lobster, etc.

One morning my father and I were walking in town. I noticed that his head was always down as he walked. I asked him why. To see where I am stepping…..so I do not fall. He was starting to fall a lot around that time.

There was a problem in looking down all the time to see where to step and avoid a fall. He was bumping into people constantly.

I watched. My father started to get mad. He said these people are impolite. They keep bumping into me. I told him it was he who was causing the problem. He could not watch his feet and see where he was going at the same time. He refused to accept my judgment. But that is what was occurring.

I have started to have falling problems about the same time as my father did in his life. Though I am not yet at the stage where I always watch my feet. I will concede however it might help to watch them when I am going up and down stairs.

There is a point to this story about my Dad. Maybe more about me. I am my father’s son. And proud of it in spite of the adverse circumstances awaiting me.

I was up at noon. Felt pretty good. Spasms still there. Wrtist still hurting.

This is my last day in Mykonos. Hopefully. The boat people told me they are not sure the boats will be going to Amorgos tomorrow because of the continuing weather. However, they suggested a back up. Crete! Great! My Facebook friend Jimmy Brown lives on Crete. I would love to hook up with him.

I did not want to stay in bed my last day in Mykonos. I headed for Elia Beach. First time I had been there. The nicest of the three beaches I have visited. Horseshoe shaped. Towering cliffs on each side. Beautifully clear water.

And it is that kind of place! Nudity on the agenda big time!

I have eye strain.

Tonight my last meal in Mykonos. It is to be Nikos again. I was there three nights ago and loved the place. It was lamb shank buried in greens covered in a thick lemon sauce.

I who always had to know precisely where I was going, when I would arrive, where I would stay, etc. am taking everything in stride this trip. I am not sure which island tomorrow. Nor do I have a reservation at any hotel. The two islands are accustomed to travelers like me knocking on their door looking for a room.

I have changed.

Enjoy your day!