A New Trial of Time

New Year's eve is like every other night;

there is no pause in the march of the universe,
no breathless moment of silence among created things
that the passage of another twelve months may be noted;
and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening
that come with the coming of darkness on other nights.
Hamilton Wright Mabie

The new year begins in a snow-storm of white vows.
George William Curtis

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on,
with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.
Hal Borland

And ye, who have met with Adversity's blast,
And been bow'd to the earth by its fury;
To whom the Twelve Months, that have recently pass'd
Were as harsh as a prejudiced jury -
Still, fill to the Future! and join in our chime,
The regrets of remembrance to cozen,
And having obtained a New Trial of Time,
Shout in hopes of a kindlier dozen.
Thomas Hood

The first three pictures were taken today near my home. We had a spectacular New Year's eve sunset. The last sunset picture was taken from my kitchen window on December 29th.

Link here for more Skywatch posts from around the world.