- Kathleen Scavone
- Posted On
Lake County Time Capsule: New Year's, then and now
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – What are your plans at daybreak on New Year's Day?
A walk in a State Park? California State Parks say, "Ring in the New Year with us!"
Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association is hosting a First Day Hike on Jan. 1 at noon, and Clear Lake State Park is hosting a walk on Jan. 1 at 9 a.m.
For many folks the annual tradition of New Year's resolutions begins. Just how did that practice begin?
The craving to create “good karma” for the year's fresh start is potent. History tells us that back in the day, the Babylonians pledged to the gods to begin the year with a fresh slate by doing good deeds.
In ancient times a good deed could consist of helping a neighbor in need, meeting financial obligations or keeping farm tools in ready condition for the new season.
Some of the old and even ancient traditions which celebrate the New Year are still practiced around the world today, such as bell-ringing and fireworks.
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, which was founded in 1792, it was customary in Thailand's ancient times to discharge firearms in order to scare off evil spirits.
The American Colonists practiced the same pistol-shooting custom, while the Chinese folks of ancient times believed that lighting firecrackers would aid in delivering them from malevolence.
Folklore tells us that in order to keep smooching your main squeeze, you should give them a smooch on New Year's Eve!
Some of the New Year traditions which have withstood the test of time from around the globe include popping a grape – one for each ring of the clock, so that your mouth is packed with 12 grapes at midnight. Don't forget to eat your black-eyed beans for a New Year's southern-style.
If you were in Pakistan or India you would consume a bowl of rice to ensure good fortune in the coming year, while in Switzerland you may drop a splotch of whipped cream on the floor to guarantee good fortune in the ensuing year.
The Dutch will probably still hold up a glass of mulled wine and the Irish will carry on the tradition of consuming a bannock – or unleavened – round pastry.
So whether you make plans in a traditional, time-honored manner, or create your own New Year's customs, you may want to “turn over a new leaf” and “put your best foot forward” as in the Scottish celebration of Hogmanay when families who visit one another after the bell tolls 12 midnight, step, or put their best foot forward over the threshold of their homes to guarantee goodness in the year ahead.
To aid in creating your New Year's resolutions, the Old Farmer's Almanac has a list at https://www.almanac.com/blog/editors-musings/blog-how-make-new-years-resolutions.
For information on a New Year's walk, visit the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AMIA.org.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also formerly wrote for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.