Here we are on January 6th. In the old days, we would have called this The Epiphany, and some would have referred to it as Little Christmas, the day when the Magi appeared with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The term First Friday had its own special significance to those of us who attended Catholic elementary school in the 50s and 60s.

First Friday was not quite a feast day, but it was a day we were required to attend mass, after which we could return home for breakfast (one which was always made special by my mother) and then return to school for a delayed opening.

What a way to start the weekend!

We never used the phrase TGIF, but the sentiment originated back then. A shortened school day on the last day of the week?

Oh, how delightful that was.

I know I have, once again, time-traveled to my long-lost past, but I am only trying to stay positive and write about happy times. For more than a year now, I have avoided going political as much as to spare myself the negativity that I might espouse as to spare you. In 2023, I will remain as quiet, politically speaking, as possible.

I might drift into the trials and tribulations of the New York Jets from time to time or argue that the Yankees continue to strike out way too much or that the heat in Florida is stifling, but if you want political crabbing, tune in to Fox or MSNBC.

It’s essential to accentuate the positive as the holiday season comes to a close, and the return to work and the chill of winter winds and driving snow conspire to make the next three months a test of our moral courage.

Well, being retired has its benefits as well as living in Florida.

We have NFL playoffs to get us to the first week of February, soon followed by pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. Our light at the end of the white tunnel. (No, not that white tunnel, just the snow heading our way)

Six years ago, Eileen and I and our friend Connie celebrated our First Friday in Florida. It has a different meaning here. It’s a big party day. We had reservations at a restaurant located in Lakewood Ranch in a shopping and dining area known as Main Street. Main Street was sponsoring a First Friday street fair celebration.

I dropped the ladies off across from the entrance to Main Street and proceeded to look for parking.
It was impossible to find a space, and when I finally did, I would have had to Uber back to the restaurant.

We canceled that reservation and searched for another restaurant, but we were sure the same experience might face us at every restaurant on our list.

We were lucky to find an odd little place that will serve as the topic of another posting some other First Friday.

Till then, Happy Friday.