2017 was a long, strange year… at least it was for me. Was it for you as well?
My last post here was when I recapped the celebrations of my landmark birthday month of June. Then, I apparently took a long unexpected sabbatical. It just wasn’t meant to be a whole year of writing, I guess.
So on that note, how about a few photos of some of the people, places and things from my 2017?
In no particular order, here we go…
PEOPLE
L -> R: Me, Debbie and Cyndi, cracking up at something or otherMy son, Mark, and meAlicia and I are watching the eclipseNick and I at the Self Realization Fellowship in Encinitas, CAAt lunch in San Diego with JenniferLisa and I have known each other for something like 35 yearsCharlene and I managed to have a quickie meet-up in a rest stop in OregonFranklin the CatHappy the Golden Retriever, being happy 🙂With Silvianne at Dome Rock near Quartzsite, AZPoe… good ol’ Poe Boy sitting by the poolJeff and Sunny, the kitty brothers
PLACES
Sunset, Parker, AZWomen’s March in Los Angeles on January 21stThe Getty Center, Los Angeles, CAGaviota State Park, CA, with Jane and Cyndi’s newly converted vanCerro Alto National Forest Campground near Morro Bay, CASunset at Joshua Tree National Park, CALayla the Cat sitting in the roof rack, Dome Rock, Quartzsite, AZMorro Bay, CAMoonrise over Anza Borrego State Park, CAStony Gorge Reservoir Campground, near Orland, CASunset, Quartzsite, AZCampsite in the second-growth redwood trees, Mt. Madonna County Park, Watsonville, CASunset, Yuma, AZ
THINGS
Morrocan mint tea in Morro Bay, CASaguaro with plane fly-by, Dome Rock, Quartzsite, AZCortado – Dripp, Chino Hills, CASecond-growth redwoods, Mt. Madonna County Park, Watsonville, CAThe hardware that was removed from my wrist after being installed 2 years ago when I shattered the distal radius in a fallMaple leaves turning red in OregonLatté at Blue Kangaroo Roasters in Sellwood, Portland, ORButton collection at The Summer of Love Experience exhibit in San Francisco, CA celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Summer of LoveDesert lily flower during Wildflower Super Bloom, Anza Borrego State Park, CAFlower close-up, Wildflower Super Bloom, Anza Borrego State Park, CABlooming cactus during the Wildflower Super Bloom, Anza Borrego State Park, CAHappy Buddha celebrating the Chinese New Year of the RoosterCholla cactus, Anza Borrego State Park, CA
During 2017, several long-time friends of mine left this planet including the first boy I ever had a crush on when I was 14, and the woman who was instrumental in helping me get my act cleaned up when I was 29. People I know had major accidents this year that have changed their lives forever, and my son, Mark, and Nick became godparents this year. The Wildflower Super Bloom in the Anza Borrego Desert happened in the spring, and we had a snowy white Christmas in Portland. I connected with far more people than are shown in the photos above and got to pet a lot more animals than I have pictures of. I’m fortunate to be able to travel and visit places I’ve never been even if they’re only a few miles from wherever I am at any given time. Yes, this year seemed to stretch on forever and I’m happy to see it come to a close.
I wish you all a Happy New Year! May 2018 bring you peace, accomplishment, adventure, connections with friends old and new, and whatever progress and success you want to call yours. Whatever 2018 brings, it’s bound to be a lot of fun, a little bit of non-fun, and a whole bunch of somethings happening one right after the other.
Oooo WONDERFUL pictures!! Thanks for posting the Summer of Love buttons! I prob will never get to see that in person, that was cool!
Lois, I love seeing the beautiful faces that enjoy your company, I’m so happy we are friends!
Happy New Year 2018, safe travels along the way, thanking you that you keep us in the loop with your blog…its the best.!
Happy Trails!!
Thank you! It was hard to pick out only a few pics, there were so many awesome adventures and people and pets and food and coffee…
I wish I’d bought some of the recreations of the buttons. I especially like “don’t trust anyone over 30” – that was my mantra for years! The exhibit is long gone from San Francisco, I think it was only there a month or so. It was a lot of fun to see the clothes and hear the music – brought back a lot of memories!
I’m happy we are friends, too! Next year, let’s plan on spending more time together! I’ve love that!
Oooo WONDERFUL pictures!! Thanks for posting the Summer of Love buttons! I prob will never get to see that in person, that was cool!
Lois, I love seeing the beautiful faces that enjoy your company, I’m so happy we are friends!
Happy New Year 2018, safe travels along the way, thanking you that you keep us in the loop with your blog…its the best.!
Happy Trails!!
Thank you! It was hard to pick out only a few pics, there were so many awesome adventures and people and pets and food and coffee…
I wish I’d bought some of the recreations of the buttons. I especially like “don’t trust anyone over 30” – that was my mantra for years! The exhibit is long gone from San Francisco, I think it was only there a month or so. It was a lot of fun to see the clothes and hear the music – brought back a lot of memories!
I’m happy we are friends, too! Next year, let’s plan on spending more time together! I’ve love that!
Happy New Year to you!
A picture is worth a thousand words “they” say! I hope you have a wonderful 2018 Lois!
Happy New Year, Barbara! I hope your 2018 is full of fun, adventures, and good food 🙂
Happy New Year Lois!
Thanks for sharing pictures. It was nice to make a connection with you from viewing them
Happy New Year, Susan! Hope you are well and that 2018 has many great things in store for you!
Lois
Hope our paths cross this 2018
We’re due for lunch again
That was a cool post, thanks for the share.
Thanks, Dave! I’m looking forward to our paths crossing again sometime soon! Happy New Year!