That's Gneiss! #204 The same, yet different...
Two years in ten bullet points
Hello friends! Yes, I’m aware it’s been a while. Twenty-six months for anyone counting. I was surprised myself at just how long it has been.
Some things have happened since the last time I wrote. Just a few things (a lot). I’m not going to begin to try to hit all the details, but I’ll start with a brief recap of the highlights.
First, the saddest news is we said goodbye to Rowland in September. He had seven very spoiled years of his 11+ year life with us. We have many fond memories of him and his goofy disposition, and miss him very much.
He was a very good dog indeed.
Now, the last two years in five bullet points each:
2023
Started a union at work! Organizing took up a lot of time and energy through most of the year. Our first contract was ratified mid-2024.
We sold the 1967 Aloha and bought a 2012 travel trailer - so posh! It even has a shower.
Cozy campsite
We also said goodbye to our Dodge Challenger. As much as we loved it, it spent more time in the garage than on the road and it was time to let go.
My parents decided it was time to move into assisted living, and the end of the year was spent helping them prepare to move from Yakima here to Everett. Hot tip - get rid of your stuff before it’s too late. Even if it’s well organized it’s a big job to go through things and downsize.
Michael got a health diagnosis of pre-diabetes, and he decided not to sit down and take it. This was after a mild stroke in August of 2022, and a year of feeling crummy. He changed up our diet a bit, and took up bicycle riding again. I started taking long walks by myself - Rowland had slowed down to the point where there was nothing remotely resembling exercise when I took him on walks. When it got too dark to walk after work, we set up my old bike on a stand in the now empty garage for winter riding. Stultifying, but effective!
2024
Finally got Covid in January, and its parting gift to me was tinnitus. On the third night of illness while laying there not quite asleep, my ears popped like when you’re driving over the mountains, and then they started ringing, never to stop again. 0/10, do not recommend.
Bought a new-to-me bike in February, then promptly had a bad pinched nerve in my back and couldn’t ride until March. Michael made some improvements and I love it! By the end of the year I’d ridden 1,145.93 miles and I’m feeling fantastic. I’m sad when I can’t ride due to the weather or the short days. Michael rode 3,106 miles! He gets out a bit more than I do… and rides a lot farther.
We camped three times with the new trailer - Newhalem Creek in North Cascades National Park, Lake Wenatchee State Park, and Birch Bay State Park. Looking forward to more camping in 2025!
We also got back into hotel travel, with trips to Long Beach, Leavenworth, and Port Townsend. We already have two more trips booked to help us get through the dreary winter.
My parents moved - TWICE. First in January, then again in December! The first move got them over the mountains and into low-level assisted living. Now they’ve moved to into a new place where they can both get the level of care they need, including memory care for mom. I’ll save all my rants about elder care and the bureaucracy of long term care insurance for another day.
Where will 2025 take us? Who knows, I’m trying not to let existential dread overwhelm me as the days tick by to the unknown. Maybe that’s why I’m feeling the urge to write again - to make connections with people, and face what’s coming as best I know how with dark humor and joy in the face of doom.
Tidbits
I’m going to resurrect this section from my older newsletters for a quick rundown of my current activities, and other interesting bits & bobs.
Update: the last time I checked in, I had just started a mystery stitch-along (SAL). I finished it! The mystery part of it was “if at first you don’t succeed”, and then I added my own finish to it. The designer provided 21 different finishes, but none of them appealed to me so I made up my own using elements from other patterns. This project turned out to be the gateway drug into cross stitching and I now have a handful of finished projects and even more WIPs (works in progress). There’s a wonderful world of cross stitch folks building great community, and some amazing designers. It’s been a lot of fun to get back into stitching.
Reading: I started listening to Johnny Marr’s memoir Set the Boy Free, read by himself. I’m also blazing through Night Train by Martin Amis.
Are you on Storygraph? It’s a great alternative to Goodreads. Send a friend request if you are!
I’m setting up an affiliate shop on Bookshop.org. Stay tuned for more information.
Making: where to start?!! I manage to find at least a few minutes every day to do something creative.
I recently set up an analog reading journal for nerdy tracking of my reading activities. Here’s a peek at one layout:
2025 Book Bingo I’ve started making small daily collages in my A6 Hobonichi journal, inspired by the art of Janice McDonald. Will I keep it up every day? Who knows, but for now it’s a fun diversion and even if I have a small plan I’m already finding the collages have different plans for me.
Small collages in my A6 journal
Eating: lots of fantastic, healthy food cooked by Michael. Recent meals include Maafe (Senegalese Peanut Stew), and this delicious Summer Basaltic Couscous Salad.
If you made it this far, I appreciate you spending the time to read my meanderings. Old friends, I’ve missed you. New friends - welcome! Leave a comment and say hi, and I’ll see you soon! I promise it won’t be two years until the next newsletter.
Cheers!
What a great reintroduction! I'm excited to see where y'all camp this year!
Waving hello! Looking forward to your next post.