The calendar is about to start over again for me as I end my 60th year on this fine planet. Another year, month, week, even day are not to be taken for granted at this juncture in life. I am feeling this more intensely than ever after multiple untimely passing’s this summer. These occurrences seem more “front of mind” in small communities where everyone is connected in one way or another. As such, it seems like a fine time to contemplate all I am grateful for this past year. I encourage you to do the same as it can be a great way to measure and appreciate the many positive things that come from our expenditure of time, energy and resources during the year.
First and foremost, I am grateful for my health, without which it is difficult to savor life to its fullest.
Next, I am happy to have such a close circle of family and friends, close to 100 who attended last summer’s lake house warming party during which we also celebrated many seminal birthdays, anniversaries and retirements. I was also able to attend the Minnesota State Fair for the first time last year; loved the “Miracle of Life” building, seeing so much talent/creativity and discovering cheese curds. I established some new fun rituals with my longtime friend, Christy, and was grateful to spend Thanksgiving with her family. I enjoyed many kitchen successes which included canning 200 jars of nature’s bounty, mastering jam making (kinda) and crafting my own goat cheese. I also learned how to embroider and sew last winter producing 50 felt Christmas ornaments, 8 embroidered felt valentine hearts, 24 sets of pillowcases, 30 appliqued dishtowels, 7 free motion fabric art pieces along with miscellaneous storage bags and bins. I had fun mastering the machine, visiting lots of fabric stores and learning about the sewing culture which is alive and well out there. I gave most of my product away and look forward to starting my next projects which include professional chef aprons and travel shoe bags.
I was also proud and pleased to see my sweet niece, Christi, graduate from college. That makes 5 college graduations down and one to go in the next generation of my family. I was also happy to get better acquainted with my new great niece and nephew in San Diego; love those babies. I am so pleased my mom, Milly, was fortunate enough to celebrate her 85th birthday this summer in relatively good physical and mental health. I am also grateful to have enjoyed the past ten years plus with my kind and patient husband, Paul.
Finally, I enjoyed several new travel experiences which included; discovering historic villages, combing barren beaches and savoring fresh grilled sardines and local wines along the southern coast of Portugal. We also enjoyed bird watching, shell gathering and beautiful sunsets on Santibel Island, Florida during Paul’s academic spring break in March. I know not everyone has a hankering to travel but I find it a great part of lifelong learning that adds depth and breadth to my “coming home” experience. I can now better appreciate our own local version of the above experiences on my new screened porch or on undiscovered country roads viewed through “my new lens!” 2017