New Year's morning in Turkey Hollow this year is damn cold. The wind chill is -21 degrees right now and I have no idea how the deer survive in this bitter-to-the-bone cold. Even little Furball (photo) this morning seemed to be shaking. Huge crows, so big they are right out of Hitchcock's "The Birds," are circling to get whatever pieces of apples that the deer somehow miss. The snow is so frozen the howling winds can't even create white outs anymore. This is one bitter winter day.

Can't help but reflect on what it must have been like in 1700's with the Native Americans and pioneers in the Catskills. At that time, this area was considered the frontier. Imagine living in this cold with only the fire from a fireplace. My guess is I would have traded anything for more blankets and never come out from underneath them! How did they do it? I am in utter amazement at their strength and pioneering spirit whenever I think of them living up here in the bitter winter.

Thank God 2008 is over. For me it was one of the most intense elections ever. Watching the economy tank was horrifying and I don't know a person that hasn't been affected by it in some manner. The wars continue. Bush basically checked out the last part of the year and I guess doing nothing is better than anything proactive he would have done. The good news is that we now have President-elect Obama and there is the stirring of hope in the air.

Every New Years I take a few moments and project my vision for a perfect coming year. It doesn't hurt to take a day and dream a bit. I really believe if you visualize the kind of year you want you might actually have a chance to experience some of it. So here goes:

-I am hoping that President-elect Obama represents real change and that he will be truly unique and transform America.
-I am hoping for a White House filled with the joy and the sound of children.
-I am hoping for a White House constantly visited by writers, artists, dancers, musicians and the great minds of America.
-I am hoping that next year most of the our troops will be home from Iraq.
-I am hoping that we don't get bogged down in a hopeless war in Afghanistan.
-I am hoping that Secretary of State Clinton can help tone down the hostilities in the Middle East and we can start moving toward peace again.
-I am hoping that the world finally deals with the horror in the Congo and urgently gives the people of that nation some peace.
-I am hoping that Mugabe is no longer President of Zimbabwe.
-I am hoping that America is put back to work rebuilding our infrastructure, instituting light rail systems, implementing alternative energy and constructing housing for the poor.
-I am hoping that no more people are driven from their homes by failed banking policies and corporate greed.
-I am hoping that finally someone will actually make the American education system great again.
-I am hoping that soon not one American child has to go to bed hungry because of the neglect of our government.
-I am hoping that students will be able to attend college without having to join the military or run up massive debts for the rest of their lives.
-I am hoping that at last we will see the beginning of a fair and just healthcare system in America and that every American will not have to worry about the economics of seeking needed care.
-I am hoping that the world takes care of its wildlife and we expand park lands to give them room to flourish.
-I am hoping that China finally gets tough on the environment before it is too late for that beautiful nation.
-I am hoping for good health and prosperity for my family and friends.
-I am hoping that the Democratic Party realizes that they have a once in a lifetime opportunity to do good and make amazing change.
-I am hoping that marriage equality makes great leaps forward this year.
-I am hoping that I get to go to Africa at least once more this year.
-I am hoping that my year is a healthy one and that I know economic security.
-I am hoping that the readership of davidmixner.com continues to grow and I don't disappoint my readers.
-Finally I am hoping that all of you out there have a magnificent New Year filled with love, peace, prosperity and joy. I love you all.