2021 in Pictures

Happy New Year, everyone! I love going back through photo files at the end of the year and the images remind me of the highlights -- and sometimes, low lights -- of the year. Here are a few.

January

Covid rears its ugly head. Vaccines are approved but it will be a couple months before we get them. Meanwhile, the hair continues to grow.

After the horror of the January 6, Joe Biden was sworn in. It hasn't been perfect by any means, but even now, almost a year later, it feels sane. And after four years of tension and insanity, that was a plus. We all needed calm.  Well, at least I did.

February

Our oldest grand-toddler turned four! Barely vaxed (first shot), we took a chance and celebrated with them.

Snow. It's Michigan. I happens. I don't love it -- but it IS pretty! And I got my second vax. It felt a bit like things were lifting.

 March

Time to prep for an early April Easter! There was painting of other things too, but doing the faux eggs was fun!

Finally fully vaxed, we could see friends we'd missed for aged -- without masks!

   

And, being fully vaxed, Rick got his hair cut. (Jeanie did not.)

 

April

Spring at last! Joy!

We celebrated Easter with Little Toddler and his dad. It was a perfect day -- sunny enough to go to the park and have an egg hunt!

Harry the Heron returned to the Ditch.

 

May

Beautiful weather brought more walks to the Ditch -- and Harry watching!

June

We had our first Cork Poppers gathering in 18 months at Rick's. Rick spent that morning in the ER for what, one month later, we would learn was a pesky kidney stone.

 July

We returned to the lake after opening in June and would spend about 90 days at the cottage between June and November. 

Little Toddler turned three. We were able to celebrate with the boys and their other grandparents up north.

That pesky kidney stone that popped up in June turned ugly and Rick had emergency surgery to have it blasted into oblivion.

July brought overdue family time, too -- celebrating Rick's birthday and my upcoming birthday with cousins David and Bonnie.

I got my first visit with Baby Ben, another cousin's first grandson, and his dad, Mark.

August 

The month kicked off with our annual Art Camp retreat at the lake for my friend Kate and me.

We discovered the return of "Harry North," the up-north heron!

I turned 70 -- and replaced my 2001 car with a new-to-me version! (I still miss my manual transmission.)

 September

 

The month brought a sad farewell to one of my former graduate advisors as we celebrated his life in Traverse City. While there, I enjoyed time with a former WKAR colleague and a fun ride-around.

Taking an art class, I learned a new technique and enjoyed the challenge of painting in black and white.

We enjoyed time with our friends Pat and Susan hunting for Petoskey Stones on Little Traverse Bay.

 Days were shorter. And sunsets more beautiful. And boosters became available.

October

 

The color at the lake was early. And spectacular.

 

Oddly enough, fall would last a very long time downstate, with trees not fully turning, even into November. But at the lake, on October 3, the trees were blazing with color.

After an overnight in Oberlin, Ohio, we went to our first wedding in -- well, ages.

And, at long last, we saw my extended family together!

We also spent four days toddler sitting.

And, we returned with even greater increased respect for parents who work at home during the pandemic!

November

The fall color show continued.

At the Ditch, Harry would be spotted by our neighborhood photographer as late as December.

I had a delightful and successful sale, joining with six other artist friends -- another even we missed last year.

 I sold my car! Bye bye, old friend!

After speaking to a masters level theatre design class, I attended their presentations and came back wildly impressed by their talent.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, we saw the toddlers and made a little gingerbread house! 

December 

An early walk, a cheery companion!

We anticipate the holidays!

December brought a long-awaited return visit to Southern Exposure for their holiday walk-about.

And a beautiful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

It has also brought a terrible surge in the virus with many breakthrough infections, which have touched many I know. I continue to lay low. In the dark days of winter, we look forward to the promise of spring. 

It's only a few months away! Meanwhile, we wish you a safe, happy, healthy New Year, all year long.