It's Come To This

Like all good group holiday messages, I'll tell you how outstanding my children and grandchildren are and how full of fabulous travels and outstanding accomplishments my life is.  Well, the former is true, the kids and grandkids are fabulous.  The big grandkids, Sam and Lily, seem to be thriving at university, Lily at University of Portland (in Portland, OR as you may have guessed), Sam at Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, 

 and young Lucien is doing what 8 yr old boys do, school and soccer and kung fu.  And badminton.

As for me, the fabulous travels part is true.  

Last winter I spent another enjoyable three months in Mexico dividing my time between Mexico City and Guanajuato.  I do enjoy being in that country.  Despite its quirks and violent characteristics, I'm drawn back over and over by the scenery, the food, the culture and the people.  

The best tlacoyos

I'll be heading off there again on New Year's Eve for another three months with a ten day interlude in Cuba. 

In June there was a big family gathering at my brother's place in California for our combined birthday celebration, he 80, me 70.  It also turned into a memorial for our sister who passed just weeks earlier. Twas a fabulous festivity and people came from far and wide to celebrate the patriarch with much joy and camaraderie, tears for sister Ellie, good food, outings and activities.

In early October, I went to North Carolina to visit my niece, Kim, and to do some storm chasing.  Actually, the storm chasing part was unplanned.  Just happened that hurricane Matthew decided to put in an appearance for me, making a trip to the Outer Banks all that much more exciting.  

We also drove to the west side of NC and made our way down the Blue Ridge Parkway to Asheville.

On the way home, I stopped in New York City for a few fun filled, action packed days with dear cousin Barbara and her husband, Jerry.  Thoroughly enjoyed it.

On the Highline

Last winter I spent another enjoyable three months in Mexico dividing my time between Mexico City and Guanajuato.  I do enjoy being in that country.  Despite its quirks and violent characteristics, I'm drawn back over and over by the food, the culture and the people.  I'll be heading off there again on New Year's Eve for another three months with a ten day interlude in Cuba.

As far as outstanding accomplishments I can't really lay claim to much.  I continue involvement with the Prostate Cancer organization and do some volunteering with the local bicycle advocacy organization.  And I tend my little plot in the community garden nearby that provides me with fresh veggies and lots of frustration.

 Along with Christmas cards, guitar playing has been a casualty of arthritis.  It's the he only thing I have in common with Eric Clapton.  

That's the condensed version of my year.  How was yours?  I hope it was outstanding.  And I wish you the very best in the year to come.  Looks like it's going to be a exciting one.  (Frankly, I'm scared.)

Sending my love to you all.

Andrew