Our wish for the coming year–end of conflict in Ukraine, Israel/Gaza, and elsewhere in the world. End of despotism and all despots and would be despots in jail.
Good health in 2024 to all my family and friends.
And now for a look back on 2023. What a difference a year makes. No snow this year, El Nino in effect, 48 degrees. In fact, all Fall was warm and dry. A few “atmospheric rivers” dumped on us, but overall, maybe a third less rain than we usually get.
I turned 70 in May. In the foothills of old age. Healthwise, not so good. I have a recurrence of DCIS, that is, ductal carcinoma in Situ. this is the same 0-stage cancer I had a lumpectomy to remove in 2018. Thought this part of my life was behind me, but now I am scheduled for breast surgery in January. No radiation this time around. Roger and Maggie both doing fine. Covid has been floating around the island big time since this summer, but knock on wood, we haven’t caught it.
My trips off island have been fewer and of shorter distance than last year. Made it to Bend, Oregon in June for a weaving conference with a stop over in Portland. And to Mt Rainier in July with a family gathering. Roger and I went all the way to Port Townsend for our 35th wedding anniversary in April. So mostly stayed in the State and have no big plans to travel next year, either. Besides, I miss Maggie too much when I travel.
We did have lots of guests here at Thornbush and that was lots of fun. Good visits with Bjorn’s family, too, both here and in Mt Vernon.
As for activities, the Repair Fairs that I participated in stand out. I’ve been doing more mending and darning as a result. Just trying to keep a little fabric out of the waste stream.
And of course, Maggie Mae looms large in my life. Because of her, I walk with friends several times a week. She’s a treasure.
In memoriam– good friends have gone this year. And I expect, the list will keep on growing now that we are all of a certain age. And yet, I’m thinking now that it’s more a question of accommodating our aches and pains. Afterall, many of us will live twenty or dare I say, thirty more years.
Let’s choose to take care of ourselves and each other as we get through 2024 with all of its challenges. More walks in the woods, more local food, more live music, more dogs to pet.
Thornbush Report 