  Romance/Love
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Welcome to 2019!!  I hope the New Year gets off to a great start for you. That said, I’ve been thinking: how do “we” start off the New Year? What do we LOVE about New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day? I’d thought I’d explore some of those ideas in this month’s newsletter.
In a way, the New Year is about Firsts. January is a first month of the year. New resolutions help inspire new goals for the upcoming months. So, as we look at some firsts, we’ll explore some early romantic “firsts,” (works of fiction) to include “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte. Who’s a Bronte fan? Shout out the Love! 
I hope you enjoy the first romance/love newsletter of the new year!
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When one thinks of New Year’s, a couple of the following visuals come to mind: dropping the ball in Time’s Square, parties, champagne, a New Year’s kiss, and lots of fun. One of the things my boys and I LOVE to do is eat a donut. This ring shaped food signifies the old year coming full circle and is suppose to bring good luck for the New Year.
Question for you: What are some lucky foods you LOVE to eat at New Year’s?
But New Year’s isn’t just about the lucky foods we eat. It gives us a reason to dress up, and who doesn’t love a glass of champagne to kick in the New Year. And we don’t necessarily need to go out to enjoy these activities. New Year’s parties are always fun, but there’s no pressure to go out. Again, I’m perfectly content to watch the ball drop on TV. It’s a holiday celebrated all over the world and one were we embrace our inner goof and don’t fear wearing funky 2019 glasses and headbands. Most cities around the world have fantastic fireworks displays. And the BEST reason to LOVE New Year’s? It’s a great way to finish the holiday season that Thanksgiving started.
Some romantic movies that involve New Year’s include the classic “When Harry Met Sally,” and “Bridget Jones Diary.”
(***)
I really have no strong desire to discuss New Year’s resolutions, as I find they are tough to keep. I’d rather work on goals for the New Year’s. That’s more achievable to me. I think the most popular goal people LOVE to make involve weight loss or giving up smoking.
Question for you: Do you have a resolution or goal for the New Year?
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Romance has been around for centuries, but one of the earliest novels to be considered a “romance” is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Written in the first person, the reader explores the world through Jane’s eyes. Her back story is rich and filled with conflict. After her parents die, she’s abused by family, but manages to find an education at Lowood School. Readers want Jane to find happiness, but life gets in the way. Despite an unhappy childhood, Jane meets Mr. Edward Rochester and becomes a governess to Adele who lives at his house. Can Jane find love the complexities that the world often throws her way? Does Jane have that “happy” ending that romances require?
Jane is a heroine we come to care for during the course of the novel through her back story, relationships, and endeavors to find a satisfying career. It’s a formula that worked for Charlotte Bronte in the 1800’s and works now, and while “Jane Eyre” also explores other topics, it is one of the first romances to stand the test of time and deliver a satisfying, rich story about the heroine.
Question: What do you LOVE about New Year’s?
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The New Year is about friendship, family, fellowship and experiences. Thought I’d stick to this theme when selecting my BITEMS this month.
COW FRIENDSHIP:
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In Japan, it's the custom to see the dawn on New Years. This was my first, long ago.
#915680 by Kotaro  |
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Feedback from my Romance/Love NL DTD: 5 DEC 2018:
My last Newsletter was named “Baby, it’s Cold Outside,” and I talked about the song and if it is appropriate for the modern setting, especially since it was written in 1944. I’d like to thank everyone for their great feedback!
Pumpkin
For several years there have been versions of this song on video with the roles reversed. The woman was actually being aggressive, not subtle, while the man was trying to resist her.
However, this song, sung either way, is very mild compared to much of what we hear on the radio. People who attack it are not attacking all music that subjects or demeans women. They are attacking what seems to be tradition or nostalgia, sort of a generational rebellion against what seems to be the establishment.
Personally, I like it. The woman (or man) doesn't seem forced or trapped. It's more like human nature.
One person is more interested than the other in pursuing a deeper involvement and believes that a little coaxing might help. Some people even want a little coaxing, trying to protect their own self image, like I'm really a good girl-I don't want to appear easy. She might even be disappointed if he doesn't protest her leaving too soon. I choose not to see violence or abuse in it, but see it as playful and funny. I don't want to be so jaded that I read something evil in everything.
Your comments remind me of that Meme with Chris Rock who says: “You listen to rap music and you’re offended by “Baby’s it’s Cold Outside?” The lyrics are mild compared to some music our younger set listen to today. And I’ve seen the videos of both. I agree – I think the song plays to ‘human nature.’
Giantesslover 
The lyric they most had issue with was
"Say what's in this drink? (No cabs to be had out there)"
Its creepy if you think about it today. It implies a date rape drug or something more nefarious.
However when looked at through the lens of 1944 when the song was penned, and from the theme of the song, Christmas. It can easily be assumed that the drink is Eggnog and "Whats in this drink" is Brandy, Burbon, or even Rum.
I think the same way!
I can see how the Metoo movement takes issue with this song but at the same time, like with most grievances nowadays, context is thrown out the window "For the greater good" which is what I have issue with.
I feel much the same – context is thrown out the window for the greater good. I think we have to look at the intentions of the written piece and in the context and times in which it is written. Some stand the test of time well, some don’t.
Quick-Quill 
I laugh at them and tell them to get over it. Really? We have to scrutinize the offerings of the past and make them fit the present? Somethings are meant to be ignored. I ignore these people who will strain at a gnat but can swallow a camel whole.
Well said.
Fivesixer 
Just my thoughts/opinions of course...I understand "Baby, It's Cold Outside" was written in simpler times, but knowing what we know today it's easy to twist the lyrics into something other than they were intended. Too easy, it seems, as it's been spoofed and created controversy as one might expect. And while I agree with the oft-repeated sentiments that in this day and age it comes off as "a little rapey", I'm not gonna make a big deal about it. It's an old song. How many other songs, books, movies, etc that were once popular haven't aged very well? And how will societies in 50 years look at what we think is fine today? Cultural shifts happen and unfortunately they don't take everything with them.
Also, I spent the majority of my working life in retail...I'm soooooo over all Christmas music in general. You have no idea! Except the songs in "A Charlie Brown Christmas"...I can tolerate those.
Monty 
Baby it is cold outside in Vermont also and you reminded me of that. I have been in conflict with the weather for most of the month of November and Winter is still not here.
A good News Letter.
StephBee is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. Her latest story, “Mr. Christmas Elf” is a heartwarming sweet romance with Prairie Rose Publishing. Can Elvis make Jules’ Christmas dreamers come true? Avail as an ebook on Amazon.
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Romance/Love: January 02, 2019 Issue [#9301]
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