January 1, Buon Anno!

On this sunny and cold morning of 1 January 2014, Feast of the Circumcision of the Infant Jesus.  A Happy New Year to you all!

Here is a photo of the snow sleigh of Frederick Lord Stanley of Preston, Governor General of Canada taken in 1893. Notice the attendants in heavy furs. Probably beaver or black bear fur to keep warm.
This photo was taken by the huge toboggan run which back then allowed people to slide from the cliff above the Ottawa river all the way down, quite the ride.

Of course the other tradition today is the New Year's Day Concert from Vienna, the 74th year, which is broadcasted around the world. The Viennese have made New Year their Holiday par excellence, to the point that the World thinks of Austria when thinking of the first of the year.

I love listening to the concert each year, this year Daniel Barenboim will conduct from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. We are reminded that 2014 marks the 100 anniversary of the First World War which saw so many dramatic changes in the World and the end of Empire in Austria. Let's not forget that 2014 is the 150th Anniversary of Richard Strauss (1864-1949).

http://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at

Prosit 2014!

The Skateway on the Rideau Canal is open from Somerset street to the Bank Street bridge. Happy skating to all.