The spring-like weather has continued and even the weatherman is confused about why. He finished a broadcast the other night by saying, “Winter is out there someplace.”

The birds are back and forth at the feeders, but there is no urgency about their activities. If this kind of weather continues, it will make for a different kind of an annual “bird count” this December!

The papers, magazines, TV and radio continue to be full of ideas, plans and proposals for all kinds of parties to celebrate the new century ahead. Advertisements suggest the foods you should serve at the celebrations, the kind of “bubbly” you should buy to make the toast to the year 2,000, and events promise to surpass anything this century has provided.

There are people who have fears about what will happen and they have gotten larders stocked, money on hand in case things don’t stay normal, and are prepared for the unexpected. No doubt some of the excitement will promote behavior not acceptable and out of hand. A large number people seem to think staying home is the thing to do. Everyone has choices to make, and it will be interesting to see what comes of all the hoopla and predictions and the expectations.

In contrast to all the elaborate planning going on to close out 1999, I happened upon a news item that reported on a party at the close of the 18th Century. It is datelined “Stevenson” and announces, _“The party at the residence of Mrs Nancy French last week eclipses all the preceding ones this winter.”

It goes on to describe the affair as an “old fashioned housewarming, with over 90 in attendance. Every room was crowded and four sets at a time tripped the hours away until the stragglers left at 5 am in the morning.”

Several verses of poetry then tell of the music by violin and piccolo and a base viol, and mention the square dance caller, George, who called the “orders all.” “Whist was dull and music sweet, helped all those who came from north or south, east or west, to kick off the rapid notes, and sow abroad their youthful oats.”

It was common to have a big housewarming for those moving into a new home, and this one of 100 years ago sounds like it was lively and a special night for all who were present.

Laurie came down again for the past weekend and took me to the surgeon for a final checkup and, thankfully, to be discharged. She helped with Christmas shopping and grocery shopping and all the errands that pile up this time of year. It was a big help and nice to have someone around for awhile.

One of the weekend nights the family gathered and we celebrated Susan’s birthday. It was pizza and salad and birthday cake, and as usual, good visiting and recalling the humorous things from the past that mark our lives and create memories. The birthdays have ended for this year, and the next one will be in February when Scott adds a year!

The column last week ended with a quote from Ogden Nash, regarding breaking the ice with newcomers.

Who said, “Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows”?