Under the Wire

Happy New Year! No, I’m not late getting this column to the editor, nor am I celebrating the Chinese New Year, which, by the way falls on Jan. 22 this year. Not that I would mind joining in the festive event. I don’t know if you’ve noticed before but it’s hard to keep track of. Last year it was Feb. 1, the year before Feb. 12, the previous one, Jan. 25. I’m sure these are pre-determined dates but to a guy who can’t remember his wife’s birthday, keeping up with a floating holiday is too much to ask. 2002 was designated the Year Of The Horse. Cool! I admit to not knowing an authentic Chinese, but I'd like them. We have something in common. We like horses. In fact, in observance of the Year Of The Horse, I bought a couple more. How patriotic can you get? Sue wasn’t too thrilled with my celebration that year. She has taken great pains to point out this is the year of the dragon. I’m not quite sure where she was going with that observation but I don’t think she means for me to buy a couple of them.

Back to the New Year’s thing. I’m celebrating the New Year because we got our first calf recently. The long anticipated event (nine months to be precise), heralded the beginning of a new year here at the Hodgson Ranch. All of last year’s problems are forgotten and it’s time to plan for the up-coming season. Last year’s calves are gone, along with all memories of the tribulations associated with keeping them healthy and growing. Those thoughts must be gone. Why else would I get so excited about starting all over again.

Like the Chinese New Year this New Year moves around some. In fact, it changes from household to household. My neighbor up the road begins his calf induced New Year about a month before we do.

For us every year is the Year Of The Calf. Our confusing system actually puts the Chinese to shame. Not only does the New Year vary from ranch to ranch, the official animal varies, too.

Many celebrate the Year Of The Horse every year when the first foal is born. I know lots of those folks. I have a distant relative (I emphasize distant) who celebrates the Year Of The Lamb annually. (Where did he go wrong?) While the Chinese actually have rotated the same 12 animals for centuries, my system is limitless and gets even more confusing.

The New Year doesn't even have to be based on an animal. A golfer friend begins his annual calendar with the first day he can get out on the fairway. I don’t go with him, usually, because I’m helping other friends celebrate the first rodeo or horse event of the New Year. A son-in-law gears his entire year around corn planting time. Another friend bases his calendar on the local football team.

All these varying schedules get confusing and contribute to making it hard to find folks during their special times. I feel bad if I interrupt anyone during a holiday but it is difficult to keep everybody’s observance straight. Since I began by explaining how confusing the Chinese system is, I decided to see how they handle it. Their solution is simple. They post a “Chun lian” on their front door. It is a sign proclaiming the holiday, sort of a “Gone Fishing” notice.

From this day forward, I suggest we all post our own “Chun lian” to identify our own personal New Year. Not only will this system help keep everyone straight, but we all know the mailman can’t deliver bills on a holiday!

Happy New Year!