Happy 2016!

Another year has flown by. I know we all say it every year -- where in the world did the time go? And the older you get, the faster it seems to fly.
Every year has its high points and low points. Everyone's life has people in it who enrich it and fill it with love. We should cherish those people and focus on the happy times. 

I suppose everyone's life also is clouded by those who would love nothing more than to bring pain and destruction. The best we can do is try to forgive those who can think only of themselves; who can never accept responsibility for their actions. Even better, we can remove them from our lives and never respond to their nasty attempts to destroy others' happiness. 

Spread love, be happy, look for ways to help others. 

So as I look back over 2015, I choose to think of the happy times -- and there were so many of them!
Here are just a few:

The Pennsylvania Farm Show -- always a great time!

OK, so hand surgery in January wasn't fun, but at least the surgeon drew a happy face on the affected finger. And in the photo below on the left is Beatrice, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge in February after a battle with cancer. Also not a happy time, but we choose to think of all the love we shared with her in the many years she was part of our family.

June was a time to celebrate graduation!

But in the summer, it was also time to say goodbye to my high school. I'm still trying to find the good there, but other than fond memories, that is rather difficult.

September brought a first-ever trip to Germany! What a fantastic time!

 And then a trip to Vermont in October!

Autumn at home also was grand.

And December brought the first anniversary for Danielle and Dave.

Not to mention Christmas!

So as we enter 2016, get plenty of rest; seek out those who love and support you; resolve to make a positive difference in some way; and forget any dark times and dark souls from 2015. 

It's time for a fresh start as we enter the new year!!

Merry Christmas!

Happy holidays to all!

Can't wait for "The Night Before"!

Yep, the countdown is on for Robert Drake to fire up the 23rd annual "The Night Before" on WXPN!
It's 24 hours of nonstop holiday music and fun, from midnight to midnight on Dec. 24.
I can't wait, and neither can my cat Trick! These are photos snapped a few years ago, but I know she'll be just as excited as every other year!

Yes, listening is fun, but you can also check out the Jingle Cam to see Drake hard at work, and of course you can interact via social media --  be sure to use the hashtag #nightbeforexpn -- to share your joy, photos, requests, dedications, etc. 

If you've never experienced the thrill of "The Night Before," don't miss it this year! You'll hear holiday tunes you've never experienced -- and so much more. 

Drake explains it all on the WXPN website:
"It was 22 years ago when WXPN came to me, with those puppy-dog eyes, hoping that I'd fill in on December 24. Seems no one was available, and in those days before digital, you needed a body to oversee any programming. So, I agreed - as long as they gave me complete freedom to spin an aural web of sounds of the season - direct from my collection of holiday tunes. What they didn't know was that I had already developed a fascination for Christmas songs. Not the burnt cookies anyone can hear up and down the dial in December. My collection was chock-full of unique nuggets - some not given the light of day for decades.

"So, they agreed to give me three hours and I delivered. The three hours went to four - which went to six and then to twelve, to celebrate twelve years of tradition! The following year management asked what I planned to do to top my 12-hour marathon. I said, how 'bout 24 hours?! After checking my pulse and temperature - just to be sure I wasn't babbling under some illness - they agreed. Ever since, I've been on the air for 24-nonstop hours every Christmas Eve. 

"And now I am doing it all again!"

Trick can't wait -- neither can I! Be sure to make "The Night Before" part of your holiday tradition, too!

It's Festivus!

Happy Festivus!

I think I'll forget about the feats of strength and I don't really have a "Festivus Pole," but there's always the airing of the grievances.

First up: How about bringing back this ice cream?

And please, I'd love some actual winter weather!! Brisk temperatures, some snow -- not this hot stuff we've been having.

Nevertheless, happy holidays!

Are you ready for the holidays?

Gotta love the message behind this ... and the cat!

Just for fun

Enjoy as we count down to Christmas!!

12-13-14 ... Happy anniversary!

I can't believe it's been a year since my daughter Danielle married Dave. They had chosen 12-13-14 as the special date for their wedding, and it proved to be a magical evening!

But before the big event...

Posing for an engagement photo... thanks, Margie!

The "save the dates" were sent out with a lovely snow background, thanks to the winter of 2013.

Choosing the venue was easy -- the beautiful William Penn Inn.

 A trip to Kleinfeld in New York City -- just for fun, not for the dress!

Fun at the shower!

At the rehearsal dinner the night before... 

Getting ready ... and a beautiful heart crafted by Aunt Nancy for Danielle, from a shirt that belonged to Danielle's father.

The cake!!

Time to dance...

Fun in the photo booth!

Franklin proved to be quite the guest of honor....

The weather was cold, but all hearts were warm. And the evening was spectacular!

Truly a magical experience!

The love birds the morning after the wedding.

And now a whole year has flown by! Here's wishing Danielle and Dave a lifetime of happiness.

(Note: Any professional photos, courtesy of Joy Zaffarano, wedding photographer. Others by friends and family members).

Big Apple, big fun

My daughter and I started a holiday tradition years ago, taking a Hagey bus to New York City to stroll past the festively decorated store windows, take in some of the pricey department stores where we could never afford to shop and have a somewhat expensive lunch.
This year was no exception and once again we had a glorious day in the Big Apple.

At Barney's, an ice sculptor was busy creating an amazing work of art in one of the store windows!

And everything seems to glitter and glow at Bergdorf Goodman... 

The inside of the stores are equally breath-taking...

And you can't miss the Rockefeller Center area...

Yes, it seems no matter where you stroll in this bustling city, holiday lights cheer you!