Friday JohnKu – AKA – A Brand New Year

January 1, 2021 · by John W. Howell · in TGIF · 72 Comments

“Happy New Year, Twiggy.”
“Gee Lucy. It doesn’t seem much different out here.”
“But it is a New Year.”
“That’s true. Happy New Year, Lucy.”

Well, here it is at last. The new year with all the hope that the crap from 2020 has been wrung out of our collective crying towel.

Yeah, it feels good to have a new slate. We have to remember that change is not a matter of flipping the calendar. It will take time to ease into what I hope will be the NEW NORMAL. You know where we can all move around without fear. Where we stop calling each other names. Where the radical left and right just go away. Where world peace becomes a priority. Where we can think and plan on the future. Where Congress pulls its collective head out of the place where the sun don’t shine. Where people are viewed as individuals and not generalities. Where opportunity is available to all, who are willing to invest to reach their dreams.

Well, it’s a tall bit of expectation for the new normal. If you share the ideal, I hope you will work to make it happen. Happy New Year

Today’s JohnKu talks about the new year. I hope you all have a great weekend.

It’s not just champagne,

Nor blowing horns with gusto . . .

The New Year is change.

Tags: author, books, Circumstances of Childhood, Eternal Road - The final stop, fiction favorites, Haiku, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, JohnKu, My GRL, Our Justice, TGIF, The Contract with Gwen Plano

72 comments

Gwen M. Plano · January 1, 2021 - 4:21 am ·

So true, John. We’re on the precipice of immense change. Having the pups to cuddle is a great way to face 2021. Happy New Year to you and your family. ✨✨✨

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 6:55 am ·
  
  Thank you, Gwen. Happy New Year to you as well. 🥂
  
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Writer Lori · January 1, 2021 - 4:36 am ·

You’re right, John. The promise of change looms large, but we have plenty of work to do, too. Here’s hoping we can all embrace a new chapter together. I’m over all the ugliness… Here’s to a new chapter! Happy New Year!

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 7:09 am ·
  
  We said, Lori. Happy New Year.
  
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Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections · January 1, 2021 - 5:09 am ·

I’m with you on the new normal. If only … wow … a better place! Happy New Year to you, yours, and the two party animals!

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1. John W. Howell · January 3, 2021 - 7:45 am ·
  
  Thank you for the New Year greeting. I found you laying around in the spam folder. You are released.
  
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patriciaruthsusan · January 1, 2021 - 6:21 am ·

I think a change will finally come with the much-needed leadership and organization that’s been promised. Happy New Year 2021, John.

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 7:10 am ·
  
  We al hope so, Suzanne. Happy New Year.
  
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kethuprofumo · January 1, 2021 - 6:52 am ·

Happy New Year, dear John! Again & again! The change of our way of thinking is an essential part of a new normality. 🎄

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 7:12 am ·
  
  I believe you are right, Maria. Happy New Year (Many times) 🥂
  
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  1. kethuprofumo · January 1, 2021 - 3:17 pm ·
    
    🥂🥂🥂
    
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  2. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 8:25 pm ·
    
    🤗🥂😁
    
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quiall · January 1, 2021 - 6:54 am ·

Wise words!

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 7:13 am ·
  
  Thank you, Pamela. 😊
  
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Jill Weatherholt · January 1, 2021 - 6:58 am ·

Happy new year to you and your family, John! ❤️

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 2:41 pm ·
  
  Thank you. Jill. Happy New year to you as well.
  
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Charles Yallowitz · January 1, 2021 - 7:19 am ·

Nicely said. Happy New Year.

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 2:41 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Charles. Happy New year.
  
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harmonykentonline · January 1, 2021 - 7:30 am ·

Great Haiku and sentiment, John. Here’s to a world with as few divisions as possible, where we can all appreciate one another. Happy New Year 🙂💕

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 2:43 pm ·
  
  A super sentiment, Harmony. I appreciate you. (how’s that for a start) 😁
  
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Darlene · January 1, 2021 - 7:41 am ·

Happy New Year to all of you. Let’s hope for positive change over the coming months.

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 2:43 pm ·
  
  I hope so too, Darlene. Happy New Year.
  
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Liz Gauffreau · January 1, 2021 - 8:02 am ·

I share your wish for change in the new year, and I’ll do whatever I can to help make it happen.

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 2:44 pm ·
  
  Raise your right hand. 😁 Thanks, Liz.
  
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  1. Liz Gauffreau · January 1, 2021 - 4:43 pm ·
    
    Now, let’s not be hasty here . . .
    
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  2. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 8:22 pm ·
    
    😁
    
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coldhandboyack · January 1, 2021 - 8:18 am ·

Wise thoughts, and I hope you’re spot on. Happy new year, John.

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 2:45 pm ·
  
  Happy New Year, Craig.
  
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noelleg44 · January 1, 2021 - 8:22 am ·

Happy New Year, John, and I echo your sentiments. Thanks to you and Lucy and Twiggy for helping us get through 2020!

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 2:45 pm ·
  
  We will be trying in 2021 no matter what comes up.
  
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The Coastal Crone · January 1, 2021 - 9:12 am ·

Yes! I am in favor of this New Normal and agree that we will have to change to make it happen. Well stated, John!

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 2:47 pm ·
  
  Thanks, Jo. All the best to you.
  
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Dan Antion · January 1, 2021 - 10:34 am ·

And change for the better – I hope.

Happy New Year, John!

And congrats to The Producer regarding WVU’s nail-biting win over Army in the Liberty Bowl.

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 3:03 pm ·
  
  Thank you on the WVU win. We just couldn’t stand to watch it. Today is the Notre Dame meat grinding at Alabama in the AT&T stadium
  
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  1. Dan Antion · January 1, 2021 - 3:05 pm ·
    
    It was hard to watch. 00:29 left when decided. Like watching the Steekers
    
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  2. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 8:39 pm ·
    
    We know what that feels like
    
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Teagan Riordain Geneviene · January 1, 2021 - 10:41 am ·

John, I couldn’t agree more. Well said! I hope the new normal you describe comes soon. Happy New Year. Hugs on the wing!

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 3:03 pm ·
  
  Hugs, Teagan.
  
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John Hric · January 1, 2021 - 12:05 pm ·

Add optimism and hope and dive into the new year ! Happy happy !

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 3:08 pm ·
  
  Good one, John
  
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Becky Ross Michael · January 1, 2021 - 12:46 pm ·

All great goals for the new year, John!

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 3:12 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Becky.
  
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Dale · January 1, 2021 - 1:00 pm ·

Perfectly said, John. No, it’s not simply a flip of the page to bring on the new. We have lots of work to do. But it always feels hopeful, doesn’t it?
Happy New Year to you and all of yours! xoxo

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 3:15 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Dale. Happy New Year to you as well. 🤗😘
  
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  1. Dale · January 1, 2021 - 4:09 pm ·
    
    Thank you kind sir. 🤗😘
    
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GP Cox · January 1, 2021 - 1:34 pm ·

Can’t wait to see how we mess this one up!

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 3:16 pm ·
  
  Yeah me too.
  
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portmanguy · January 1, 2021 - 2:18 pm ·

Happy New Year, John. Let’s hope 2021 is better than 2020.

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 3:24 pm ·
  
  Let’s hope. 😁
  
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Miriam Hurdle · January 1, 2021 - 3:10 pm ·

Happy New Year to you and your family, John 🎉🥂🎊

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Book Club Mom · January 1, 2021 - 3:26 pm ·

Happy New Year to you, John! Hoping for better times ahead 🙂

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Sorryless · January 1, 2021 - 6:02 pm ·

Boss

Here’s to all of that and one day’s more worth of it. Give a hug to the girls for me and Happy New Year my friend.

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1. John W. Howell · January 1, 2021 - 8:20 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Pilgrim. HNY
  
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  1. Sorryless · January 3, 2021 - 2:13 pm ·
    
    All the best to you and yours.
    
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  2. John W. Howell · January 3, 2021 - 2:18 pm ·
    
    😊
    
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Vashti Q · January 1, 2021 - 10:46 pm ·

You are so right, John!💯 I’m going to do whatever I can to make 2021 a fabulous year.🤞🏻

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1. John W. Howell · January 2, 2021 - 6:52 am ·
  
  I think you are good at doing that, Vashti. 😁
  
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  1. Vashti Q · January 4, 2021 - 4:05 pm ·
    
    Thank you. 🙂
    
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D.L. Finn, Author · January 2, 2021 - 12:23 am ·

Well said, John. I do believe we are at the door of good change. Happy New Year!

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1. John W. Howell · January 2, 2021 - 6:52 am ·
  
  Thanks, Denise.
  
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markbierman · January 2, 2021 - 6:05 am ·

Bravo, John. I do believe good things are on the horizon.

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1. John W. Howell · January 2, 2021 - 7:13 am ·
  
  I do too. Thanks, Mark.
  
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circadianreflections · January 2, 2021 - 12:44 pm ·

I’m hopeful that things will get back to normal. Happy New Year, John!

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1. John W. Howell · January 2, 2021 - 2:45 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Deborah. I hope so too.
  
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Baydreamer · January 2, 2021 - 2:12 pm ·

You truly speak the truth, John. I don’t think life will return to the way it was, but I do hope for the new normal you mentioned, one that we can live through without fear. A very tall order, but worth praying and hoping for. Happy 2021!

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1. John W. Howell · January 2, 2021 - 2:39 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Lauren. Yes worth praying for for sure.
  
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Jennie · January 3, 2021 - 7:18 am ·

Amen!

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1. John W. Howell · January 3, 2021 - 7:26 am ·
  
  😊
  
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Jan Sikes · January 3, 2021 - 4:09 pm ·

Well-said, John. I always think of a new year as a chance to reset and restart. I wish you the best in 2021!

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1. John W. Howell · January 3, 2021 - 8:04 pm ·
  
  Thank you Jan. I wish you the best as well.
  
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lavender · January 5, 2021 - 8:51 pm ·

Adorable, they are cuties. I’m a pet lover!

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1. John W. Howell · January 6, 2021 - 7:22 am ·
  
  Thank you. We obviously love ours as well. 😁
  
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