According to the Chinese zodiac, 2023 was The Year of the Rabbit, but according to me, it was maintenance. Of course, there were lots of home repairs, including a broken HVAC unit, a leaky tank-less hot water heater, a necessary recoat of the flat roofs, broken water sprinklers, and a myriad of mundane fix-ups. But the Rabbit decided it was time for a Sue tune-up. Numerous dental appointments, cataract surgery on both eyes, dermatology clips and frozen spots, and the culminating colostomy reversal.

I was really looking forward to welcoming 2024–hopefully a year free of maintenance work–at least for me. Then last night, I took a long look in the mirror. Ye Gods! Who is that old hag staring back at me? My grandson will cling to his mom and scream when he sees me. (Thankfully, he doesn’t talk much yet, for he’d go to school and tell his friends there is a witch in his house!) Thus before I depart for his February 14th first birthday party, I had better get my withered face abraded, botoxed, and filled. Or else I won’t need St. George to slay the dragon. I’ll just stare at the fiery beast and The Year of the Dragon will vanish!

Happy New Year to all!