Thinking about the year gone by

Tills,
I've just been busy with the holidays. Finally getting a chance to catch up here on DG.

Rosie- Have fun looking them up!

Hi all, There are so many topics and ides in this thread to respond to....accomplishments of the year, good books, family heritage, health challenges, doggies, garden decor....and more. You are such a caring, creative, interesting group of people, I am glad to know you in our on-line community.
Bravo, Laurie on the walking marathons!
Jim, I hope your lungs are healing and getting stronger so you don't have to suffer to go to your garden show this year.
Carole, I truly hope all your husbands appointments and treatments go as well as possible and that your family surrounds you with love no matter what...I know they do. That picture of you with your grandbabies earlier this year was absolutely beautiful.
Everyone, thanks for the book ideas. I've been alternating between the serious historical reading, lighter novels, and educational theory for my staff book group. Then of course, there are my absolutely favorite holiday children's stories: The Silver Whistle by Ann Tompert (a little boy in Mexico with a generous spirit), A Cobweb Christmas by Shirley Climo, The Beautiful Christmas Tree by Charlotte Zolotow, Just Enough is Plenty (a Hanukkah story), The Christmas Miracles of Jonathan Toomey, The Tree of the Dancing Goats......
My year...is kind of hard to review, as it began with a memorial service for my dad. This time last year I was going through all my mom's photo albums to make a display of his life and writing the obituary for the newspaper. Both were very healing things to do, oddly enough, and gave me something to focus on and hold on to at the time. This past summer I planted a garden around a tree my dad and I planted in my yard. I'll post pictures of it when I figure out how to get them off the camera (I'm a complete beginner with the thing).
On a lighter note, my doggies "birthday " is coming up on New Year's Eve. That is when he first showed up on our front porch 9 years ago, frightened and lost because someone was lighting off fireworks in the road. We got him a buffalo bone chunk (from Tatanka Take -out in Tacoma) for Christmas and he promptly buried it in the yard. Hope he can find it later and actually enjoy eating it.

This message was edited Dec 28, 2007 10:07 PM

Mauryhill- I also love The tree of the dancing goats. I will have to take a look at Just enough is plenty, I don't have that one. I also love Papa's Latkes. Rachel

Hello Mauryhill - nice to have you turn up. What a great list of books - there are a couple of friends children that I like sending books to (which gives me great excuse to make another trip to Daunts Books! The most beautiful bookstore in London! It is just gorgeous!) so I will take the new list. You know, I hadn't even considered a Hanuakkah story - I've missed out an entire body of literature I could have been getting. Thanks for the nudge - perfect. (I'm going to have to remind Daunts too - they do lovely windows, and I can't ever remember seeing one for Passover or Hanuakkah)!

I do remember you mentioning about losing your father last year - I hope the anniversary has more comfort for you, just as making the memorials did.

(And thank you for the congrats - I was mighty proud of myself).

Missingrosie, I just love the christmas present you got: a broken bowling ball and some unshattered glass - that has got to be as unique a present as I have ever heard! It can only be 'art' materials, so I am awaiting photos of some of your pieces. That is soooooo intriquing.

mauryhillfarm, thanks for the kind words, I am feeling a whole lot better than last year. sorry about your Dad. I hope the new year is better for you, also. Jim