Skywatch Friday – First Day and More

I hope that everyone had a great New Year’s. 2024 was a year of blessings and also trials and tribulation for us and we got through it. Back when I started blogging, there was a friend of mine who also started and quit because she said people only put the positive parts of their life online so it was dishonest. So I guess I am dishonest. Sorry about that and I don’t feel bad about it all. I’m a blessed man, what can I say. I have this irritating trait that no matter what the situation, I think things will be okay. I couple that with a sense of realism about what okay looks like.

I have always loved New Year’s. It’s like a fresh start every year. We didn’t do much, stayed home, had a nice dinner, watched some television.

In late December after weeks of monotonous gray skies I saw that things were shaping up for maybe a good sunset so I got my drone in the air and captured a bunch of images. I put them in a video and here it is. It is only twenty seconds long so do not panic!

New Year’s Day morning I went with Heather to a class she is starting at a nearby YMCA. It is cardio drumming and twenty people showed up to take it. Not bad for a brand new class. She is already teaching it weekly at another YMCA here in town and monthly at our “home gym.” It is lots of fun, you have drumsticks and you drum on an exercise ball in time to music. She leads the different moves. It is lots of fun, she loves upbeat music and so do her students. She also teaches Zumba at two different gyms, and a couple water classes, aquazumba and aquastrength. I take both of those classes. She stays pretty busy. She has been teaching for years and is very good at “reading the room” providing alternative moves for those who need them.

Afterwards, I took off and found a geocache and hiked a short distance. If you are a geocacher, New Year’s Day is an important day to find one and if you are a hiker you should go on a First Day’s Hike. So I did both. Yeah me, hah!

2025 First Day Geocaching Hiking

And then we went home and had our New Year’s Day meal featuring chicken quarters and baby back ribs that I smoked on the day before New Year’s Eve. That red stuff on the meat is a very spicy rub use. It brings the heat.

Meanwhile, I did another jigsaw puzzle on my ipad. Great way to stay busy while we watch our streaming shows. The one I am working on now is a Canyonlands scene with lots of tan colored desert and skies. Very challenging.

Again, I wish everyone a Happy, Heathy, and Prosperous 2025!

I am linking with My Corner of the World and Skywatch Friday

21 thoughts on “Skywatch Friday – First Day and More

  1. Penelope Notes

    With this many blessings in your life it would be foolish not to know it. May your blessings continue throughout the year and beyond, and good luck solving what appears to be an exceptionally challenging puzzle!! :))

    Reply
  2. Eileen

    Hello Yogi,
    Love your sky images, wonderful captures by your drone.
    Kudos to your wife, it is great stay active. I am sure teaching makes her feel good too.
    I try to stick to positive things on my blog, mainly it is for sharing wildlife photos.
    The Canyonland puzzle sounds fun, such pretty landscapes there.
    Happy New Year, I wish you and your family all the best in 2025.

    Reply
  3. Jennifer+Jilks

    That is interesting! I think there is a difference between being honest and private.
    I am more interested in sharing issues. Like my grandies, one has come out as gay, the other trans. It’s been a journey. I do want people to know that our kids are precious, and human. And my anxiety issues…
    Happy new year. I hope you have lots more caches to find!

    Reply
  4. Nanda

    The irritating trait is quite good for health. Keep going. We too having monotonous gray clouds glued to skies here in Bengaluru. It is quite frustrating since they seems recurrent. There is one more due for next week as per MET reports

    Reply
  5. A ShutterBug Explores

    wow! great sky video ~ awesome ~ You are blessed ~ lovely creative family ~ hugs to all ~

    Happy New Year ~ ^_^

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    Reply
  6. Alana

    Enjoyed the sunset video. I keep posting skies not typical of our normal December – I hope that doesn’t make me dishonest. If I posted the sky of today everyone would get depressed, and who needs that? (We are beginning a stretch of cold, seasonal weather). I had to read about you smoking baby back ribs. When I have my cottage cheese lunch, I’ll be craving those ribs!

    Reply
  7. Veronica Lee

    I love how you make the most of both the fun and everyday moments.
    The sunset video is amazing.
    That spicy rub on the ribs sounds awesome.
    Wishing you both a fantastic 2025!

    Reply

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