Thursday 13: A Year in Review--Sort Of

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Okay, I am going to start right here. There is no order to this, it is not by month, it does not cover the whole year, it does not include all my favorites. But here is some of my 2009:

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These days I talk more frequently about my heart sisters from blogging. They and it have been a big part of life this year. Can you imagine receiving this as a holiday gift, one of two incredible angels from my twinklierest twin, Angela Recada. I keep this on my desk so I can touch it and and every time I look at it I feel so grateful, not just that I have an angel of my own, but that I get to watch Angela and so many other talented artists paint and create before my eyes. I just love that.

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There are so many artists and painters in Provincetown because it is known for its light. But I've only seen a pink sky twice. The one before this one was so pink it lit up everything.

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I started to draw this year. I drew when I was 11, 12 years and I always doodle, but I'm going to try to learn how to draw. My inspiration comes directly from right here, especially Lolo and Mim. Here is a true story about drawing : A 4 year daughter asks her father what he does at work. "I teach grownups to draw," he says. She puts her hand to her mouth, surprised, and says, "You mean they forgot?"

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About three miles up the road from my house, from June through September, you can get a large lobster roll for $ 6.95. That is unheard of. I love doing this, an Sunday afternoon, around three o'clock, taking a little drive for lobster rolls.

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Ah, what a good day this was. I sold 23 books. For the most part I love doing this, sitting out on a warm day talking to people browsing, talking about my book.....

I fell in love this year with a four year old girl this year who has had a tough time of it. As her therapist, here I am sticking my tongue out at her daycare center, letting her use my camera. I have struggled this year about her, about how much to get involved. Her mother gave up parental rights this fall and is available for adoption, essentially a roll-the-dice prayer that she will be lucky. I am too old. I really am.

Hydrangeas from my very own yard. I planted the bushes myself. JB and I can now have fresh flowers from the yard all season long. I am very pleased about that.

For several days in August Jess and Mike and Mr. Ryan and Baby Drew and JB and I vacationed in Ptown. Every morning around 6:30 JB and I would take Mr. Ryan one block to the bay, where it was low tide and we could walk way out in wet gooey fun sand.

This is as good a shot as any to highlight the fact that I work in a poor community with a fair amount of high crime.

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Look at her. She turned 94 yesterday, and she is as happy as I've ever seen her. My Mother lives in an incredible place called a Rest Home, with 29 other residents, all with their own rooms, and with a staff who manage to quietly provide a ton of support while making it look like none is needed. Dignity and independence. I think you can see the result of that on my Mother's face.


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I cannot tell you why I like this shot of my kitchen counter at the start of the holidays.

This box has actual LoVe in it. Love that you can run your fingers through, feel with ease, breathe it in and give it back at the same time. This is the "We-Treasure-You Chest" that found its way to Renee on Christmas Eve. It carried the gifts and cards and loyalties of forty people from around the world. Let me tell you--it was an honor to prepare and send this box, a total joyful giddy happy exciting honor.





I won't even try to explain why I love this casino and why I love playing those quarter slot machines. Has to be an addiction, right, all that dopamine exciting my brain. I just think it's the most fun. I only go twice a year or so and I always lose. But two weeks ago I went and won. I won $ 565. I won't use the O word to describe it this time so I'll just say it was thrilling.





This is in front of Mr. Ryan's house. Every time I look at this picture I can remember him flying down the sidewalk, exhilarated. I loved watching him, hearing him squeal.

It is a warm day in August with a brilliant sun and I am lying at Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown. Sometimes when I am at the beach I understand and feel my place in the larger picture.

Ptown again. These are the flower cottages, each named after a flower. They are booked two or three years in advance, families returning year after year. The beach and ocean bay is right behind them. Someday I would love to rent several of the flower cottages and stay there with some of my favorite people.

There was a fire down the street from me this year. A whole apartment building burned to the ground. I don't know if I should admit that I like watching fires. Well, not really 'like,' but I am in awe. When I opened my business (OPTIONS), my first office was three rooms over a general store, and everything in it totally burned from a fire one early morning. It was unbelievable.

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And last, Mr. Drew. He was born in April and is just beginning to crawl. He smiles so easily, he loves being held. I love having small children in my life again.

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Earlier this week I posted the first half of my 2009 Moleskine. Now I've posted about half of the photos I would choose from 2009. There will probably be sequels.
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It was not an easy year. That may be an understatement. But I think I am almost alright again. And from 'alright' I think/hope I will comfortably settle into myself. I'm looking forward to a good year. And not just for me.

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Love

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kj ♥