Greetings and Good Tidings to those of you who are fortunate enough to still be on our mailing list.
Over the years, we have had to knock off several people who included both friends and relatives. What we have left now, we like to believe, is the “cream of the crop.” Yes, we are including you in the basket of friends and relatives who still talk and sometimes even walk with us.
On the more serious side, the sad truth is that over the past few years, we have had all too many wonderful friends and relatives pass from this earth. Those good friends and relatives were the people we “knocked” off of our mailing list. We only wish they were still on it. The topic of mortality seems to surround us these days. A friend recently told me at church that he knew that he was going to be leaving for a better place. I told him that I was not ready to go but if there is a better place, I will keep my fingers crossed.
The last few years have brought much unhappiness to the world in terms of economics, politics and climate. It is easy for me to be pessimistic. Fortunately, my spouse is the eternal optimist. She helps to remind me that we live a good life with many blessings. We are not rich, and we certainly are not famous. People may forget me at most parties I go to, but Karen always greets me when I come home and walk in the door.
On the Joyous side, Karen and I are joining with you to celebrate another amazing constellation of holidays including, Ramadin, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Feast Day of Our Lady Guadalupe, Boxing Day, Yule, Zarathosht Diso, and New Year’s Eve. All over the world, be it summer or winter, many people are celebrating ancient traditions that bring joy and happiness to their lives. Studying some of these traditions one finds many common denominators. Mostly that living a virtuous moral life is the pathway to happiness and respect.
Today, more than ever, Karen and I enjoy our health, children, friends and relatives whom we would not trade for all the money or fame in the world. Thus, as our chosen celebrations of Christmas bear down on us, we want to give you our gratitude for all the kindness, thoughtfulness and camaraderie that each of you has shown us over the years. To paraphrase the famous Beatle song “We get by with a little help from our friends and relatives.” Bless all of you this holiday season and may you all have peace, good health and happiness.
Karen:
Now that John has focused on the macro world, I’ll fill in the micro happenings for us this year. I made my annual trip to MN and WI to visit my children and old friends in January. The previous year had record breaking snow. This year there was almost none. But was it ever cold!! There must be a little of the hardy Minnesotan in me yet as I was out and about daily with the -20 or greater temps.
I came back to AZ and went back to work on my quilt of John’s ties. I was totally amazed when it (my first quilt) won the “Viewer’s Choice” award at our club’s annual quilt show. I continue to be obsessed with my new craft. I also tried my hand at gourd painting for the first time. If you happen to know our friends Dar and Denny, please don’t mention the picture of the gourd on our card. We have had a gourd which is decorated by us or Dar and Denny and given at Christmas for 10+ years. It is kept for a year, then redecorated and given back next Christmas. Needless to say, Dar and Denny will not be getting our Christmas card this year until after they’ve unwrapped the gourd.
In mid-June we packed the car, or rather, stuffed the car full (including a sewing machine, of course) and embarked on a cross-country journey. A visit with my cousin Jane and her husband Bill in Albert Lea, MN. Six weeks in a cottage in the Wisconsin Northwoods. Visits with friends Nancy in PA and Susan in NY. Two weeks in Rhode Island visiting with John’s sister Jeanine and several of John’s friends. John stayed with Pastor Kwame Rice for three days while we were in RI. On to Montgomery, AL to visit the Rosa Parks Library & Museum and the Civil Rights Memorial Center. A brief stay in Biloxi MS at John’s first duty assignment after basic training in the USAF. Followed by Four sightseeing days in New Orleans and a visit to an historic slave plantation. John bought a book on Voodoo at a local Voodoo parlor so he could cast spells on Trump.
More visiting with John’s cousin Elena and her husband Greg in Houston, TX and at their ranch in the Texas Hill Country. We finally returned home in mid-September with 10,700 more miles on the car and wonderful memories. Two of the highlights were my 80th birthday party in July which John hosted. We had about 40 friends and relatives attend. John’s 60th high school reunion in September was the second highlight.
The numbers of friends and places we visited, and the miles traveled are hard to believe. Luckily, I don’t feel 80, except climbing up or down stairs when my knees remind me or feeling the need for a nap after an exercise class.
Although we always miss friends and family members in other parts of the country, we enjoy the Arizona weather and the many things to do that keep us busy here. I have the Tucson Dulcimer Ensemble, the Tuesday Uke and Dulcimer group, my church choir, Coolidge Cotton Patchers Quilters and 2-3 exercise classes per week while John keeps busy with his Ageing Capriciously Blog, mentoring, running, subbing at the high schools and Veteran’s events. We also enjoy attending concerts in the Tucson and Phoenix areas and the proximity to Mexico for trips to Puerto Penasco for seafood and beaches.
Wishing you all health and happiness,
John and Karen
Here are some pictures that we took along our journeys.
Aging Capriciously 