Like all solar powered trips, this has been a year of ups and downs, gains and losses, challenges, victories, and defeats. Pretty much life as normal. Having never thought I would live this long, every day is a surprise, with something breaking and others improving. Here’s a snapshot of our last 6 months in orbit.
We lost another Otter. Carol Stillman was a great friend from high school days. She died after a long struggle against a blood cancer. Her wonderful husband Bill was my closest friend from high school. Her kindness, intellect, and stubbornness will be missed.
Patty, our little poodle, also left us on this leg of the journey. She had throat cancer. This is an old picture of her with Val, one of our favorites. She was a wonderful dog.
We started this last half of the year with an amazing trip with Rob and Susan to Vancouver. We were very nice to Val who still is on the chemo drug and gets afflicted with intestinal storms as well as exhaustion. Actually, as we get older, exhaustion seems to be a default setting.
Remember the Cane Corso Kyna’s family acquired? Here is the “little” puppy at 8 months earning his good citizen award. You want a dog that size to be a good citizen.
Here he is now, at 9 months. a true monster in size, but a love bunny in attitude. Good thing.
With the Gallina Family, Val’s sister, sister in law, and brother. Notice the Betty and I are the only two without leftovers.
Then, over the months Leila has been the world’s most wonderful Granddaughter. Especially when it comes to giving us Grandparents something to brag about!
Home ownership proved how much it can dominate one’s life, from the death of our Rumba, our refrigerator, and ending with a good tenting for termites. Plus Florida homeowners insurance, cleaning up after hurricanes, and just plain maintenance. And they keep telling me our house is getting more and more valuable!
This is what happens when you let Kyna and Leila design the Halloween costumes!
Thanksgiving is a huge deal around here. We participate in a multi famimly celebration that has been going on since 1981! It’s most recent iteration was at the Muscolina Family’s house.
Little Peter is trying out the new well that we help Victor and his family get installed. Now they no longer have to fight the 3k walk through the snakes!
Val and her sister Mary Lou. Val’s hair is straightening out. She’s been cutting back on the activities. Her non-profit was dissolved. However, she is still scoring schools of Character and helping run on-line training for teachers. Val still has 9 months of chemo to go. Ouch
I have been declared cured of prostate cancer, which I think is a positive. I have not been cured of old age, however. I still do Guardian ad Litem stuff with 4 kids. And I still volunteer with Ethics Bowls.
Val at the walk of lights at the Largo Central Park. You can see she is bundled up against the very cold 50 degree weather. That’s a Floridian for you.
For me, relaxing is heading out into rural Florida looking for my favorite Florida resident.
We are holding our breath as we whip around the Sun headed back towards the next Solstice. When we arrive, we hope to find all you still on the ride with us!