Edge of '17

A lot of people are excited about sending 2016 "to hell, where it belongs."

Lots of famous people died this year. 

Lots of people think America died this year.

Other people America was reborn this year.

This year I cast a vote in the primaries for a Socialist.

And I cast a vote for a woman for president. And I cried when I did so.

The day before election day, I stood on a pier in the Aegean Sea in a little port town called Naoussa on a little island called Paros in the Cyclades of Greece, and I said, "I really think Hillary will win." (The day before I stood on the Acropolis, where democracy was born!)

Well she did, in a way. She won the popular vote by a landslide. She lost the electoral college. And half the country cried out in horror. And the other half jeered and threatened and acted like barbarians that they are. 

I choose to send off 2016 with gratitude, that I'm still here with air in my lungs and love in my heart. 

Here were some things I loved about 2016.

I asked for and received a substantial pay raise.

I did really well at my job.

I updated my bedroom the handy-woman's way.

Larry and I had a lovely Valentine's Day. I made a fabulous Italian dinner, and he took me to the touring Broadway show "Once."

Larry took me to see Patty Griffin, Ananias Mitchell, and  Sara Watkins at The Palladium.

Invited to fun parties.

I learned how to make killer Cuban sandwiches.

I bought a Fitbit and had success.

I started running again.

I had a lovely birthday. A beautiful green hike through a state park, some laughs with Larry about helping each other NOT take stupid risks, like trying to cross a ravine on a dead tree trunk, making a cake, eating dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant.

I planted cherry trees and it made me so cheery!

(They died a few weeks later. That made me sad.)

I hosted some pretty darn good dinner parties for Ralf & Jim, Duke & Kinga, and Michelle & Eric. Larry and I also hosted Ralf & Jim at his house over Mem Day Weekend. Got out his mother's china, and I made fantastic food!

Spent months considering travel itineraries for 2016. One day at the end of June, Larry made an impromptu call to Viking cruises and booked us passage on Empires of the Mediterranean. We spent the next few months fine-tuning our adventure!

Planted a garden and didn't kill it.

Helped my mom and dad bring a dream and a lifestyle into focus. It worked! They manifested it and bought a really nice boat and docked it at a really nice marina with country club amenities. We had fun tubing and skiing! Larry and I helped my dad transport the boat for some cockamainey reason that included my 75 year old dad riding his bike from Lincoln Township to Benton Harbor.

Took my mom to Meijer botanical gardens for Mother's Day. It was something Gini wanted to do before she died but never had the chance.

Mom had a little bday party for me, and as my brother, SIL, parents, and nieces and nephews sang Happy Birthday, I realized that it's the best song ever written. It means life and love.

I spent lots of time in Eagle Creek!

I spent time with friends--Jodee, Amanda, Dave, Andre, Brian, Deb, Michele, Eric, Ralf, Jim.

Some nice weekends in Michigan--Mother's Day, Father's Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day. Went to the beach, ran with Larry, sunsets, barbecues, boating, Earl's fun bday party, beautiful photos of a beautiful place.

A friend who hurt me years ago reached out and apologized and asked to start again. It made a big difference in my life being able to put that hurt behind me.

I got better at standing up to bullies and standing up for my own beliefs. I learned to not regret my own beliefs and my right to voice them. I learned to not take the words of cruel people too seriously, to not let it creep in and give me doubt. 

Impromptu concerts--last minute invites with free tickets to concerts--Ben Watt at LUNA with Andre. That concert brought long lost tears to my eyes, refreshing tears! Gwen Stefani at Klipsh with Jodee. Larry also came. It was a good concert but that diva made us wait almost 90 minutes and that it is shitty. Also we had to wait in a cloud of toxic cigarette smoke. People are so stupid. Ricki Lee Jones at Stott Center for Performing Arts (Butler); Straight No Chaser at Murat with Jodee.

Started a blog with Larry--"Perfect Strangers," covering travel and arts and people. We covered IndyFringe and Pauline said it was incredible and that it garnered praise from their marketing sources at IU and Butler!

Went camping at Clifty Falls.

Ran at Wine at the Line. Did a great five miler. Larry ran out to greet me. (He had already finished.) Next day I realized I injured both my heels, and had to quit running. Just ran again this week very short distances. I'm getting better. I neglected to stretch and damaged my achilles tendons. I must do yoga from now on. I will fall apart. I've been depressed since we got back from Greece. Trump/Pence took the election, Indy is ugly compared to Greece, I hurt my feet. I've been down to be honest. It's good to be honest. 

Took a trip to the Adriatic and seven seas--Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, and Turkey. We spent 1/3 of it a Viking cruise and 2/3 on our own, traversing via train around Italy and after the cruise, taking a ferry to a Greek island called Paros. Photos forthcoming.

Larry's bday. Went record shopping and out for Greek food.

Thanksgiving. 

Offered a permanent position by my boss! I've been consulting for three years!
(Day before Christmas Eve, the CIO decided to put on a hiring freeze, however, due to budget problems, because she spent millions on new office furniture--the horrible open concept cubes.

Fun holiday evening out with Eric, Michele, and Aaron (Allison was in France and Larry was sick) at Two Deep brewery and Stutz holiday open house. 

Holiday dinner at my house for Ralf & Jim and I made the best menu yet.

Christmas with family.

Week at Larry's while working from home. Not very productive.

Party tonight at Ralf & Jim's.

I love my kitty, Abby!