While you are out and about tonight check out the moon (in the Dallas area that might be a little hard- too many rain clouds). Tonight is a blue moon. That means that it is the second full moon in the same month. Enjoy the sight. A New Year’s Eve blue moon will not happen again until 2028.

The beginning of a new year always seems to be a time to review the past and ponder the future. I guess it is as good a time as any reflect on past accomplishments and learn from past shortcomings. I have always heard that we learn more from our mistakes than from situations that go as plan. Done a lot of learning in the past.

My first reflection is that it is hard to believe that we have moved through the first decade of the twenty-first century. It seems like a very short time ago that there was a general panic about Y2K and how all the computers would shut down. Although there were a few glitches, the world has survived.

A more personal reflection deals with being the editor for this Boy Scout part of BellaOnLine. Sometime in November four years ago I was cruising the web and saw a site that was looking for editors. I thought to myself that I could write an occasional article on Dutch oven cooking or something like that. I went to the site and learned they were looking for a Boy Scout editor. I sent in a brief resume and went on cruising the Internet. I got home that evening and told my wife I had applied to be an online Boy Scout editor. She asked what site I would be the editor for? I had no idea. And no idea how to locate the site again. A couple of weeks later I got a response to my editorial request asking for an initial article and a list of topics I could write about. So after completing my training, in December 2006 I became the Boy Scout editor for BellaOnLine, the Voice of Women on the Web. I have to admit that I get some curious responses when I talk about this position. While I am not the only male editor, the women outnumber the men by a huge majority. Lisa, who set up this website, has done a terrific job of empowering people to take responsibility for their lives, establish personal goals, and work at attaining those goals. I’m proud to say I am part of the “girls club.”

Next year is a big year for Scouting in the US. It is our 100th anniversary of Scouting. There are a lot of activities planned. There will be a Boy Scout float in the Rose Parade on News Year day. There are activities for everyone associated with Scouting. In coming articles we will look at anniversary activities. If your troop or council is having an activity and you would like to share the information with others, let me know and we will spread the word.

I missed wishing you all a Merry Christmas but I want to wish you all a happy, healthy and safe new year. HAPPPPY New Year!!