HOGMANAY

Hogmanay preparations. Our evening promises to be one of quiet reflection, scintillating conversation with cousins, and a gentle toast for the pending year. Hogmanay, in Scotland, traditionally was celebrated with 'first footing', when a dark man would arrive on the doorstep with a chunk of coal, a piece of shortbread, some black bun, a packet of salt, and a bottle of whiskey (preferably single malt). We might have to create a suitably similar scenario here this evening.