New Year Goals and Lunar New Year by Tena Stetler

 Well, did you survive the holidays?  Seems like we were just putting up decorations in time to take them down, and I decorate from September (Halloween) to New Years. Isn’t it sad how it’s not much fun to take the decorations down as putting them up? But I digress. Though most of January is gone, let’s talk about New Year’s Resolutions or what I call goals.

I met most of 2022 goals, despite a few health issues. Good for me! 

Fast forward to 2023 goals. Word count goals easy peasy now that my muse has returned. I have two more books in the pipeline this year, first book in Mountain Town Mysteries, Security Force of Two (March 20^th release), Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic, in edits as we speak. I’m working on the second book in Mountain Town Mysteries Series, and hope to finish the sequel to Mystic Maples this year.

More hiking is in my future, now that I can walk again without pain (hip was replaced in Oct 2022). Along with that regular exercise is on the agenda and eating healthy, at least most the time. I’ll never give up pizza or chocolate. LOL   

Make more time for friends, participate in book signings, enjoy quality time with my husband, dog, parrot, and turtle. Lots of Camping! All these things lead to a happier me!

Now how about you?  Any New Year’s Resolutions or goals you want to share?  I'd love to hear 'em. Leave them in the comments.

Now lets switch gears for just a moment. I discovered that today my birthday, January 22, fell on the Lunar New Year this year. Sounds like another reason to celebrate. LOL I had to investigate and share with you.

Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, falls on Jan. 22 this year, when Asian communities around the world will say goodbye to the Year of the Tiger and usher in the Year of the Rabbit. The Chinese new year is predicted to be optimistic. Let’s hope they’re right.

 Though New Year celebrations often start the weekend before and can continue for weeks after, only the first 15 days are considered public holidays. Gee I wonder if I can celebrate my birthday for 15 days?

The Lantern Festival is held on the first full moon of the year to mark the end of the New Year season. In 2023, it lands on Feb. 5.

What animal is being celebrated this year?

The year 2023 in the Gregorian calendar is designated the Year of the Rabbit. The rabbit is the fourth animal in the Chinese zodiac and symbolizes grace, beauty, mercy and good luck. Rabbits are also associated with the moon, because of the mythical Jade Rabbit who lives there. 

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be peaceful, avoiding arguments, criticism and change. 

Famous people born in the Year of the Rabbit include Albert Einstein, Angelina Jolie, Michael Jordan, Brad Pitt and Frank Sinatra.

Across Asia, red and gold symbolize good fortune. Many people wear red during Lunar New Year, and children often receive red envelopes stuffed with money. Families will hold feasts, clean their homes and visit shrines to honor deceased relatives.

But different communities have distinct ways of ringing in the new year: In Korea, the first day of the Chinese lunisolar calendar is Seollal, when families exchange gifts and dine on rice cake soup and savory pancakes. Yum!

According to my nail tech, Kellie, in Vietnam, where Lunar New Year is called Tết, Jan. 22 is actually the start of the Year of the Cat. Participants enjoy special foods like Thịt Kho trứng (braised pork with duck eggs) and decorate yellow apricot blossoms and other plants.

Americans are typically most familiar with Chinese New Year celebrations, with dragon parades, boat races and fireworks. The Lantern Festival at the end of the New Year season includes paper lanterns and treats like tangyuan, a dessert of gooey rice balls.

Could Lunar New Year become a US holiday?

It's a possibility, though not a likely one for the moment. In early 2022, Rep. Grace Meng, a Democrat from New York, sponsored a bill that would have made Lunar New Year the first new federal holiday since President Joe Biden signed a bill recognizing Juneteenth in June 2021. New York City has observed Lunar New Year as an official school holiday since 2015. In September, 2022 California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill making it a state holiday "I am immensely proud of the richness of diversity and backgrounds represented in our state and understand the importance of wanting to see one's own experience reflected in state holidays," Newsom said at the time.  Sounds like a good idea to me.  How about you? 

 I’ll leave you with a feel-good series to fill up your new ipad or tablet about second chances, animal rescue and rehab, paying it forward and love. You guessed it A Witch’s Journey Series. Take a peek and you’ll  be hooked.  Pssst... An Angel's Wylder Assignment is on sale for #99cents. An impromptu assignment for a Scottish Warrior Angel and a Native American shapeshifter from present day, must time travel to 1878 in an effort to unravel a dangerous mystery and creature their future. Happy New Year!

A WITCH'S JOURNEY SERIES. Pssst....Also all available in audio book! https://www.amazon.com/Witchs-Journey-Lobster-Cove-ebook/dp/B01F0LRJ7U/

A Witch's Journey - Former Navy Seal, Lathen Quartz helps Pepper, a powerful witch, achieve her life-long dream of a wild life rescue, but can they save the McKay magic & find love?

A Witch's Holiday Wedding -A small town paranormal romance/mystery. Lathen’s covert military mission threatens life as he knows it. Torn in too many directions will Pepper and Lathen make it to the altar?

Hidden Gypsy Magic - Gwen a wildlife rehabilitor, and Brock a veterinarian, discover the consequences of awakening hidden gypsy magic.

Chocolate Raspberry Magic- Fund-raising, Ice cream social, furry and feathered babies, romance, mystery, and magic what more could you ask for in a paranormal romance/mystery?

This one was a long one, and THANK YOU for staying with me 'til the end. Until next month, stay safe and enjoy life! LOL