Hey, everybody, today is the Chinese (Lunar) New Year’s Day! That expression (in the title) is what folks wish each other today. It means “May you enlarge your wealth.” Fittingly, it was the answer in the puzzle today at 51A. But let me back up a bit. The clue at 16A was “2024, e.g.,” and the answer was YEAR OF THE DRAGON. Then, at 51A, the clue was “Celebratory greeting for 16-Across,” which, of course, was gong xi fa cai. The other clue/answer on the topic came at 24D: ”Common gift during Chinese Spring Festival,” which is ORANGE. We picked up some of these stamps at the Chatham Post Office this morning. Scary dragon!

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At 45A, the clue was “Cry after a motion,” and the answer was I SECOND. Like, to “second a motion.” Take it Smokey!

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But not everyone is happy on this new year’s day. At 21A the answer was TEAR STAIN. Oh no! And the clue was “Evidence of crying.” What’s the problem, sweetheart? Phil — work your magic — cheer her up.

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Here’s a sweet piece by Sarah Hanssen from tomorrow’s Met Diary, followed by a gorgeous song called “Tear Stained Eye” by Son Volt.

Dear Diary,

I was walking down the street on a Sunday afternoon with my headphones in. It was the end of what had been a rough weekend. 

I was caught up in a song that was soothing my recently broken and rejected heart. I was wondering if I would ever meet someone new who would love me or if I should prepare to live a solitary life.

A beautiful young woman walked past me. She seemed to be saying something to me, so I took out my headphones.

“You are so beautiful,” she said. ”I just had to tell you.”

“Wow!” I said, “And here I am having a rough day.”

“Well, if you want one,” she said, “I’d give you a hug.”

And we hugged.

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Roo Monster shared this memory:

Speaking of DRAGONS, back in my GEN X days, circa 1986?, my dad had a 1978 F-150 pick-’em up truck, it was in really good condition, it was green and white, had nice chrome wheels, and a chrome rollbar, plus it was a 4 speed manual. He put a bug shield on it, and had “Green Dragon” painted on it, with two Dragons on opposite ends. They took a trip to Hawaii, and it was my truck for two weeks! I was 17 and felt like King Shit. 

This isn’t it, but it will have to suffice.

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Speaking of King Shit, it’s about time they got off Matt Gaetz’s neck, don’t you think? What’s this country coming to when a respected Congressman, or, in this case, Gaetz, can’t have sex with an underaged girl without taking shit for it, we ask you? ”How many times do I have to lie my way out of this?” Gaetz is wondering. 

According to the NYT, last year the Justice Dept. quietly closed the inquiry after investigators concluded they could not make a strong enough case against him in court. (Not exactly name-clearing.) It’s the House Ethics Committee that’s looking into it now, and word is the Congressman’s former friend Joel Greenberg is cooperating with the investigation. According to the Times, Greenberg has told investigators he witnessed Gaetz having sex with a 17-year old girl. Greenberg’s no angel either — he’s serving an 11-year sentence for charges that include sex trafficking. Not an ideal witness? Hey nobody’s perfect.

Here’s a shot Phil got for us of Matt with a vampire woman.

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Have you heard the expression CAT DAD? If so, that makes one of us. The clue was “Man with a Manx, say.” There was a documentary “Cat Daddies” about different types of men who love cats. They are coming out into the open more. Sensitive types. Here’s one! We love cats at OC — still miss poor Hank and Sophie.

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When we shared Ted Kooser’s poem about his dog Hattie yesterday, we promised to share the one he wrote about Hattie’s death today. 

Here it is. It’s called “Death of a Dog.” Thanks, TK!

The next morning I felt that our house
had been lifted away from its foundation
during the night, and was now adrift,
though so heavy it drew a foot or more
of whatever was buoying it up, not water
but something cold and thin and clear,
silence riffling its surface as the house
began to turn on a strengthening current,
leaving, taking my wife and me with it,
and though it had never occurred
to me until that moment, for fifteen years
our dog had held down what we had
by pressing his belly to the floors,
his front paws, too, and with him gone
the house had begun to float out onto
emptiness, no solid ground in sight.

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See you tomorrow. Thanks for dropping by.