Happy New Year!

As the East Coast of the U.S. finishes up its ringing in of 2012, we in Hawaii are still waiting for the magic hour. Some fireworks are still legal here, but not the real loud stuff.  Still, some folks think the rules do not apply to them and there are occasional loud booms.  This is our first New Year with Merlin and he's afraid of the loud noises.  He is curled up next to me on the couch so I'll protect him from the "booms".   Guess I'll be up for a while defending the homestead against loud noises and keeping Merlie safe.  :)