2019

Here we are again, another year gone by, another trip around the sun and, lo, it's time to reconnect with far flung friends and family once again.  As I write I think about you all and reflect on the events in our lives over this past year.  Many of us are dealing with the symptoms of ageing in various ways and I think most of us are trying to make sense out of these interesting times we're living in. 

The seasonal family gathering last year was different in that that Demian and family were not there.  They were in Europe for the holidays, picking up Lily who was doing a university term in the Netherlands.  They were forced to endure Christmas in Vienna.  So Charlotte, Lucien and Ryan and I were left to celebrate on our own, including cousin Cynthia and Ed from Portland, and we celebrated well at Charlotte's house.

Once again, I went back to Mexico right after Christmas and spent most of three months in Mexico City where I've become quite comfortable.  










I also took a number of side trips to other places in Mexico: Guanajuato, Oaxaca, Queretaro, Tepoztlán, 

Back home in Victoria, I got my garden in first thing and, when I got over culture shock, went to Seattle for a visit with the kids, the first of several. One of them to attend Sam's university graduation, 

On another visit we celebrated Lucien's and my birthdays, 

Later in the summer I took a trip to Portland to visit Lily.  She was able to get some respite from her grueling course work at Portland State and gave me a great introduction to the city.   






 







I stayed with cousin Cynthia and Ed in their lovely home in a nice old neighbourhood and they introduced me to other parts of Portland, hiking and biking.  Wonderful hosts!



There was a fun weekend visit to Anacortes, a small coastal town north of Seattle.  Two artist friends, Michael and Cathy, live near there and invited me for the annual Arts Fair, a weekend long art glut with music and food and festivities that take over the entire downtown core.  It was a fun weekend and a treat to stay in Cathy's studio surrounded by her beautiful art.

 Michael in his studio.

 Cathy at her cute little house on Guemes Island.

I had a pretty good year in my garden, some successes, and some, well, not successes.  A great basil crop

And a great garlic harvest, two very important crops for me.

 And I have high hopes for the coming year.  


I'm returning to Mexico City again this winter and and look forward to imbibing in the attractions of that crazy monster of a city again.  I'll keep you posted.   


I hope the coming year finds you thriving.

My love to you all.

Blog address:  wanderingsonward.blogspot.com