Happy New Year! 2025 was quite a year for us. We had a damaging ice storm at the lake and a tree fell down on Rick's house during a tornado in Lansing. Rick took two long bike hikes, including a month-long trip to Canada and New England. I stayed close to home or the lake! There was fun -- our Cork Poppers and other times with good friends, a good art sale and lots of art time. But I also dealt with afib issues, a cardioversion, pacemaker, tendonitis that laid me flat for a bit, and the usual MRSA, sinus and pseudomonas infections. Add to it the tension in the US and I will be glad to turn the calendar page to 2026.
Here's a look at a few I won't forget.
January
 |
| A group of deer visited my back yard. This one was the most handsome! |
February
 |
Both Carson and Cameron were named Student of the Month for their grades! (That would happen again in the fall!) |
March
 |
| Carson had his first communion |
 |
| We attended a town hall for our US Rep. He didn't show. (You can see Rick, behind the empty chair near the front!) |
April
 |
Big ice storm at the cottage was expensive to clean up! |
 |
We enjoyed our annual Good Friday egg dying with friends Mark and Jan |
 |
| Kevin and the kids enjoyed an egg hunt on Easter! |
May
 |
| We attended our first protest of the year at the State Capitol. |
 |
| A tornado knocked a tree on Rick's house. |
 |
| I met up with bloggers Maya and Lisa! Later in the year I lunched with Blogger Anno! |
June
 |
| Federal funding was rescinded for PBS. Nine people at my former station were laid off. |
 |
| Friend Kate and I attended the No Kings protest at the capitol. |
July
 |
Lake Time! |
 |
We visited friends Mark and Jan on the Leelanaw Peninsula |
 |
| Rick turned 70. We went canoeing and to dinner! |
August
 |
| We belatedly celebrated Rick's 70th with Kevin, Molly and the kids at the ball park! |
 |
| Molly and the boys came to the lake for a few days. Good times! |
 | ||
Kate and I enjoyed almost three weeks of Art Camp at the lake!
|
September
 |
| Just one of our many Cork Popper events. This was memorable because it was the day my tendonitis began and I could barely walk! |
October
 |
| My Favorite Road at the Lake -- gorgeous color! |
 |
| Rick and I celebrated the end of another season of Lake fun. |
November
 |
| My annual art sale went well! |
 |
| Another Cork Popper gathering! |
December
 |
I was in the hospital for a pacemaker implant. Still recovering. |
 |
| A wonderful Christmas with the kids. |
  |
| We enjoyed a Zoo walk with the grands and their parents. |
   |
Friend visits! Suzanne came from Canada; A monthly lunch with good friends and a visit from college friend Jerry, who lives in Paris. |
 |
| Lizzie was in the Animal ER -- she's OK now! But was diagnosed with early renal disease. |
  |
| We celebrate our annual Christmas Song exchange with Mark and Jan -- "Holly Jolly Christmas" |
A Final Few Thoughts and a Remembrance
One highlight hard to illustrate with photos is the joy I have had throughout the year following your blogs. I've picked up recipes, creative ideas, things to contemplate, ideas to expand my reading list, and enjoyed following your families and the beautiful photos of the natural world that many of you share.
I bought these coasters designed by Jenna. They make me happy!
Whether we have met them in person or not, we become especially fond of our blog friends, so when one leaves us, it affects so many. This year I was saddened to learn that one of my favorite bloggers, Jenna of "The Painted Apron, passed away, leaving a legacy to her blog friends of wonderful posts with terrific recipes and painting tutorials. She was a real inspiration and will be sorely missed by those who follow her, although her blog is still live.
This tote by Jenna is my go-to in December!
Another loss to blog world was Olga the Dog, who was a big part of Steve's Shadow and Light blog. I had the privilege of meeting Olga last year after enjoying many photos and videos on Steve's blog. She had her following and we loved her.
 |
| Olga (photo: Steve Reed) |
Thanks to your blogs, I've "traveled" all around the world and the US with your wonderful images. Some of you I've even met in person this year (and in the past)! And when I've needed some support, you have been so generous with your encouragement and good wishes. It's been an up-and-down year, but one thing has stood strong. You. Readers, commenters, lurkers and yes, those I visit!
And now onward in to the great unknown -- 2026!
27 comments:
2026 Good health to you, MS. Creativity and delight! 2025 has been quite a year! My hope is that the orange one goes to meet his maker and the GOP drowns, My hope is that Americans will step up- On a more personal note, I hope that you get to travel this year and that your beautiful little cat does well. ART- Let's do art! Let's make this new year a lovely one! Cheers to you, dear Jeanie!
Despite the hardships of 2025, your resilience, creativity, and generosity of spirit come through clearly, and your tribute to Jenna beautifully captures how deeply blog friendships can matter
...Jeanie, I hope that we all enjoy a fabulous New Year except for Donny!
I have to believe that 2026 will be a better year. What a lovely review! I love, love, love the kitty and tree card that came in my mail. It's up on my bulletin board. Even though we haven't met face to face I feel like we know each other. Happy New Year! My wish for you is good health and JOY.
Looks like you had an eventful year. Your fall was gorgeous. I hope you have a happy New Year and that 2026 is good to us all.
I remember many of these, Jeanie. Rick had the same tree incident happen at his house! They have been working out there since. But it's getting done, and I'm thankful. And how can I forget those sunsets at the lake or your Autumn foliage? That deer is a grand one! I didn't realize you had so many of them visiting your back yard. I'm so sorry you've had health issues this year, and that you are still recovering. I think my favorite pic on here was Carson's Holy Communion. Special, indeed.
Happy New Year to one of my favorite blog friends. I hope it's filled with wonderful things for you, Jeanie.
~Sheri
What a year full of memories!!! Thank you for your service in standing up for democracy!
What a year you have had!
The the round up.
Cathy
Quite a year you have had! Here's to a healthy, happy year ahead for you!
It has been a full year, hasn’t it? I wish you good health, more art, lots of time with family and friends. You make the world better and brighter for all of us.
I agree, Jeanie! I am very thankful for you and other bloggers!
It feels so good to look over all the things we experience in the course of a year. It makes me happy to see all the great things you did.
A wonderful picture review. Happy New Year to both you and Rick. Janice
You have had a very busy year in spite of health issues! Hope you are feeling better and mostly recovered from your surgery. What a sweet tribute to Jenna.
Happy New Year Jeanie!!!
Have a Very Healthy & Happy New Year! 🥂🥳🎉
May
I appreciate your tribute to blogging and bloggers. It is an interesting phenomenon we are part of -- I love it! Jeanie, I hope 2026 brings improvement in whatever areas are troubling right now, and that you continue to have the spunk to face whatever comes your way <3
I have seen so many wonderful photos of here. You are so lucky to have good vibrations of your home, lovely friends and family members, lovely children, good neighbors and absolutely good food
In 2026, may we learn to trust the process, remain patient with ourselves, and stay committed to becoming better each day
Warm greetings from me in Indonesia
Happy New Year to you - hope 2026 is better health wise, with lots more visits, lake times and friends.
May 2026 bring much joy, peace, and love to you and Rick.
Thank you, dear Jeanie, what a year - and to a ... well, to a great 2026! Hm. Maybe I look through my archives as well and become a copy-cat tomorrow? To more ups than downs this year!
And now it’s time to surge into 2026, Jeanie. All the very best to you and Rick. May your year be filled with great joy and good (better?) health.
Happy New Year, Jeanie. What a wonderful recap. I'm sorry to read youre still recovering from the pacemaker implant. Hopefully that will soon be in the rear view mirror.
In hope you have a fabulous 2026 Jeanie. With much better health issues. I hope you get a trip to England or Nova Scotia too. And all the other joys that bring you happiness. This was a fun post to read. Hugs-Erika
I like the year by photos. Your lake home looks relaxing. October - oh the colors. Happy New Year
Happy New Year!
I’m glad we FINALLY got to meet in person in 2025. It was a hell of a year for both of us. I really hope 2026 is far far kinder. I’d honestly love a boring year!!
You had your troubles, but you made it through them.
What a fun review of 2025. I’m afraid some of those things are going to run into 2026 ..hopefully some of the good things will tag. along. I wish you all the best and happy new year to you both.
Post a Comment