All the Leaves are Gone and the Sky is Gray
In a tradition dating to 2012, I take a few photographs from our balcony on December 31 and write a summary of the past year. It traditionally has not been snowing on this day. Last year, because of back issues that led to successful spinal surgery on September 29, the summary was lengthier. I’m back to tradition for this year.
My year has been successful for the most part. We were back on the road again: Hawaii (Maui, the Big Island and Oahu) in January – February; New York City (to see the White Sox lose in Yankee Stadium) in May; a rail-river cruise (Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands) in June; Orange County, California (spending time with my brother); New York City again (two shows, no sports), the last two in October; and Mexico (Cabo San Lucas for the three of us) in December. Thanks again to the four A's (April, Ana, Aruna and Anna) for making these journeys possible.
It was also back to the stadiums and arenas. After eight straight losses starting with Opening Day and including May’s loss in New York, I finally saw the White Sox win my last three games at Sox Park, including two that would have set the record for most MLB losses during the modern era. The Cubs won my first three games at Wrigley, then lost the next three; and Rob and I returned to Milwaukee after a one-year lapse for a Brewers game on a very hot July afternoon. The Bears won my annual game in September, winning one more before losing 10 in a row. Lastly, I was happy to see Connor Bedard for the first time for the Blackhawks at the United Center in March.
Two difficult events marred the year-end: the election (the less said the better) and our daughter’s major surgery in mid-December. She’s recovering well, thankfully. Janet has once again not only provided excellent caregiving but also helped navigate the myriads of issues involved in the pre- and post-procedure issues.
We have another Spain trip in early June; otherwise, the year is uncertain. I’ve lost my two sources for White Sox tickets (a new one may be available) but will basically pick and choose games. I’d like to get back to taking photographs in disparate parts of the city again; we shall hope . . . and see.
All the Leaves are Gone and the Sky is Gray
In a tradition dating to 2012, I take a few photographs from our balcony on December 31 and write a summary of the past year. It traditionally has not been snowing on this day. Last year, because of back issues that led to successful spinal surgery on September 29, the summary was lengthier. I’m back to tradition for this year.
My year has been successful for the most part. We were back on the road again: Hawaii (Maui, the Big Island and Oahu) in January – February; New York City (to see the White Sox lose in Yankee Stadium) in May; a rail-river cruise (Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands) in June; Orange County, California (spending time with my brother); New York City again (two shows, no sports), the last two in October; and Mexico (Cabo San Lucas for the three of us) in December. Thanks again to the four A's (April, Ana, Aruna and Anna) for making these journeys possible.
It was also back to the stadiums and arenas. After eight straight losses starting with Opening Day and including May’s loss in New York, I finally saw the White Sox win my last three games at Sox Park, including two that would have set the record for most MLB losses during the modern era. The Cubs won my first three games at Wrigley, then lost the next three; and Rob and I returned to Milwaukee after a one-year lapse for a Brewers game on a very hot July afternoon. The Bears won my annual game in September, winning one more before losing 10 in a row. Lastly, I was happy to see Connor Bedard for the first time for the Blackhawks at the United Center in March.
Two difficult events marred the year-end: the election (the less said the better) and our daughter’s major surgery in mid-December. She’s recovering well, thankfully. Janet has once again not only provided excellent caregiving but also helped navigate the myriads of issues involved in the pre- and post-procedure issues.
We have another Spain trip in early June; otherwise, the year is uncertain. I’ve lost my two sources for White Sox tickets (a new one may be available) but will basically pick and choose games. I’d like to get back to taking photographs in disparate parts of the city again; we shall hope . . . and see.