Do you want to know what day of the week your birthday was 20 years ago? I have a little book that will tell you that.

Years ago, my sister-in-law and I went “dumpster diving” in a house that was to be taken down. We had permission of the owners to remove anything that we wanted. I lived in a trailer so little that I found was usable. She, on the other hand, had a big house to furnish. She was after structural items. We took down the wainscoting that she hoped to use in her home. She also found a few other things.

I rummaged through the bedrooms. I found a cute jacket with about a million buttons. There was a double row of buttons down a pleat in the back. There were more on the sleeves and down the front. Since I was smaller than my sister-in-law it fit me perfectly. I wore it for years then decided to get rid of it, but I kept the buttons. I sewed and knit and I knew I could make use of those buttons. They were sturdy ones that would work on anything.

I recall knitting a sweater for my grandson. I used those buttons on it. I also recall other projects that I used the buttons on.

Back to that handy little book. It was a blank five-year diary. I had no idea how old it was but since I kept a diary I decided to use it. The cover let me know that it had been around for a while. The spaces to write were small but I made it work. The next five years-worth, were kept in that little book.

At the back there were a lot of calendars. It said they went from 1828-2028. I guess this little book was really old! There is an index so you can look up the year you want. You look up the year and it tells you what calendar to check. There are seven regular years, then seven leap years. Since this was a leap year, I checked for that. As my luck would have it, this year – after leap day – was the same as the year that Don and I married. I could review what we did that year. It was kind of spooky to think that I could think of our trip to Alaska and have the dates the same.

I have used that little book on many occasions to figure out dates. It has been a handy reference. 2028 will be another leap year.

It took us a while to figure it out, but whatever day Todd’s birthday falls on will also be the day that Christmas is that year.

I have really enjoyed this little book that I found. It has come in handy many times.

What will 2025 bring? It is anyone’s guess. We know we will all get a year older that is for certain. Will the year be kind to us or a challenge? My granddaughter is to be married this summer so I have that to look forward to. She has found a seamstress near where she is living to make the necessary alterations to my wedding dress. She plans to take it back with her after she is home for a late Christmas.

I have now experienced more than eighty New Year’s Eves. Some of them have been memorable, but many were very ordinary. In my married life we do mostly family things. I recall one year we took a moonlight walk in the pasture at Jill’s house. Another year we entertained at my house. Todd and his wife have entertained many years.

Whatever you do, be careful and stay safe. Happy New Year to all of my readers!

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell. Contact her at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.