This Sunday Stealing looks back at 2023. But it has very little overlap with my annual reflection which I stole from Kelly.
1. Who did you spend time with this year?
In sheer number of hours: my wife, my church choir, my daughter.
2. Anything change with the pets in your life?
Midnight went to the vet for the first time in nine years. After his previous visit, the old vet refused to see him again. The new vet was convinced that the office could examine him by combining a mild tranquilizer in the cat’s food and a better-trained staff. This proved not to be the case. the new vet concluded, “Your cat is crazy!” We knew that.
3. What was your job like this year? What do you do? Did any roles or assignments change? If you aren’t employed, base this question on your work at home or volunteering
For more than a decade, I was in charge of the Black History Month activities at my church, save for the luncheon. The February 2023 season was particularly difficult to book for various reasons., though it took place. The Anti-Racism Task Force at my church became a continuing committee and will be taking over the event, much to my delight.
4. What was the best book you read this year? How many did you read?
Not many. I really liked The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green
How terribly strange
5. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Did you feel differently?
I was 70. Three score and ten. Yeah, it was a big deal.
6. What political or social issue stirred you the most?
The risk of the end of democracy in America.
7. Who was the most interesting new person you met?
They know who they are.
8. What changed in your home?
The nob to the basement came off. A whole bunch of little things need to be fixed in our old house.
9. What have you learned throughout the year? (Other than crafts) Can be a new skill or a life lesson.
How did I ever work for a living? I STILL don’t have enough hours in the day!
10. What was your favourite outfit for warm weather? Cooler weather? What do you wear when you dress up? Any new clothes or accessories you really love?
Clothes don’t tend to make a marked difference for me. The only clothes I bought were three DFTBA T-shirts during Pizzamas. No, I’m not going to explain that.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
11. Did you make or give up on any efforts to be healthier? Diet, water, exercise etc?
In the main, no. Pretty status quo, except in December, when my wife makes Christmas cookies.
12. Fave meals, snacks, desserts, restaurants etc? Eat out or eat in?
Early on, my wife and I used to have lunaversary dinners. Then, it went by the wayside. We have attempted to reinstate it. When we do takeout, it’s usually one of the places on the last block of Madison Avenue: Junior’s (bar food), the Curry House (Indian food), and the new pizzeria, the Pizza Lab, which has other foods as well.
13. Did you learn any new crafts or techniques? What was your favourite thing you made?
Nope.
14. What are your hopes and dreams for the new year? (Some suggestions-family, travel, work, lifestyle, hobbies, pets, appearance)
More genealogy. I have plenty of leads I need to follow up on.
15. What was the best new/new-to-you thing you a) bought b) made c) acquired in some other way?
The Reacher Grabber Tool, 32″ Grabbers for Elderly, Lightweight Extra Long Handy Trash Claw Grabber, Mobility Aid Reaching Assist Tool for Trash Pick Up, Nabber, Litter Picker, Arm Extension. It’s great for getting that spice jar that falls between the stove and the kitchen counter. We had one before, but it broke from overuse.
We have two reacher grabber tools! We use them all of the time for various things!
I don’t know what’s going on over in the US with politics. I hope you have learned your lesson as a nation, given the lunacy you had to endure under the presidency of a malignant narcissist.
I am still hoping that common sense prevails both in the UK and the US in 2024.
:o)
Cheers
PM
Reachers are great things to have, no matter what you’re age. They’re especially helpful if you’re short.
I need a reacher/grabber. For a reacher, I use my back scratcher! I’m concerned witwh the potential end of democracy too. Hoping 2024 will see the end of #45, but it doesn’t look like it right now.