Welcome to the last day of 2024. It’s hard to believe we have found our way through another twelve months and to the end of the line on our annual calendars.

I remember a time that 2025 sounded like such a distant, almost futuristic year. Now it’s so close we can almost touch it and I’m feeling a little cheated. WHERE is my Rosie the Robot?

My cleaning, laundry and cooking won’t take care of themselves! 

This year passed so quickly and I honestly don’t know where the time went. I traveled less, hiked less and read less than normal. But my travels did take me to interesting places. I journeyed on a train, supported many independent bookstores, and learned lots. I saw the Northern Lights from my own yard in southern Ohio.

I watched a plane fly high overhead as I stood at the grave of Wilbur and Orville Wright who gave us the fine gift of flight. Wonder what they would think of how their invention has moved people and society across all these years?

Actress Mary Steenburgen moved me deeply when she told the Ohio School Boards Association about her passion for books and reading. A classic Pizza Hut location transported me back to my childhood. A few days later, a walk amongst the cherry blossoms along the Athens Bike Path took me back to my college days at Ohio University when I was young and learning was exciting.

Hikes were rare this year thanks to a sprained ankle, knee problem, bronchitis and, most recently, emergency dental surgery. But the hikes we did get in were good ones and we found a gorgeous old trail that the tourists haven’t discovered yet.

Along the way, there was beautiful music and art and kind volunteers who offered lessons and aid on topics ranging from Monet to trolley cars and from the Liberty Bell to books galore.

We said farewell to my brother Fritz – a German Shepherd we brought home as a pup who infused much joy and excitement into my parents’ home. He had suffered greatly in his old age, making it impossible for him to go on and cruel to make him do so.

In other words, there was sadness,  adventure, the extraordinary and the mundane. That’s life. And, thankfully, life does go on if we are fortunate to wake again for another day. 

I’m not at all excited for the new year. In fact, I view it with some distrust and disdain. My own mental and physical health need to take priority this year and that means less news, more hikes and less tv in favor of more books and creative pursuits. It’s time to start planning some adventures. After all, one important key to happiness is having something to look forward to.

Tomorrow is a new day. It’s the first day of a brand new year. I hope to spend this day at home and doing as I please. I’ll go to bed early with a book and hopefully wake up on January 1, 2025 prepared to face the new year!