Best Books of 2024

As usual, I will start the year with a list of books I read the previous year that I think you may enjoy. I changed my comments this year by giving a brief summary of each, including a good review, should you wish more information. Books are in order that I read them. Highly recommended books get three stars:

***Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus

Wonderful tragi-comedy. Set in the 1960’s, Lessons in Chemistry tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant and beautiful woman of science.  Because it is the 60’s, her intelligence and knowledge are trivialized; plus, she has to deal with the advances of lecherous men. 

Review of Lessons in Chemistry

Honor, by Thrity Umrigar

Difficult read, but very interesting.  Indian-American journalist returns to India, from which her family emigrated when she was young.  Through a series of events, she becomes involved in helping a woman who has had a horrifying experience:  She, a Hindu, fell in love with a Muslim man.  Their marriage is a dishonor for the Muslim family, and they take revenge.  I won't tell more, but you can check out the review.

Kirkus review of Honor

The Marriage Portrait, by Maggie O’Farrell

Historical fiction.  Based on the life of Lucrezia de’ Medici, who was married off to Alfonso II d’Este, Duke of Ferrara in 1558 at the age of 13.  Her portrait is said to be the inspiration for the Robert Browning poem, “My Last Duchess.”

Lucrezia was raised in incredible wealth, but had a strict upbringing in what was expected of royal women of her day. She did show a talent for painting early on, which was encouraged by her family.  She received special tutoring, and instead of doing embroidery, as most women did, she painted. She was loved and well cared for by her family; however, her only role was to become the wife of another nobleman and to produce children.  How her life evolves, once she marries Alfonso, is the “meat” of the book. All I can say is that it isn’t a match made in heaven. I liked the book.  It’s not great literature, but it was an interesting read.

Review of The Marriage Portrait 

The Intuitionist, by Colson Whitehead

I'm not quite sure what to make of this book, but it is classic Colson Whitehead--exceptionally well written and interesting, with some things that are surreal.  It takes place during the early days of elevators, and a young black woman has been able to become an elevator inspector.  It seems that there are two camps of elevator inspectors--the intuitionists, who use their intuition to gauge whether an elevator is operating correctly, and the empiricists, who look at the mechanics exclusively.  There is a battle going on in the guild on which philosophy will prevail. The main character is an intuitionist who is very proud of her skills.  All goes well until there is a catastrophic elevator failure.   

Review of The Intuitionist

***Covenant of Water, by Abraham Verghese

This is the best book I read this year.  It is long and complicated, as most Verghese books are, but it is well worth the time and effort. I won't even try to summarize it.  Take my word for it.  Read it.

Review of Covenant of Water

Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett 

In order to pass the time during Covid lockdown, a family with three daughters convinces the mom to reminisce about her time at a summer stock company.  While there, she had a brief romance with Peter Duke, who became a famous actor.

Review of Tom Lake

***The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, by Carson McCullers 

Ok, so it came out in 1940, three years before I was born, and I am just now getting around to reading it.  But I found it a compelling novel, one that I strongly recommend if you are just now coming to it.  It takes place in the rural south of the 1920's, where a family struggles to survive by having a rooming house. The narrator is the young daughter of the family. One of the roomers is a deaf mute, a polite, dignified man.  He becomes the object of fascination for a diverse group of  people, who pour out their lives to him, although he is unable to respond.  We follow the lives of all these characters, whose only connection is that they frequently visit Mr. Singer, the deaf man. 

Review of The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

Trust, by Hernan Diaz (Pulitzer Prize nominee)

I can't summarize it any better than the first line of the linked review: "A tale of wealth, love, and madness told in four distinct but connected narratives."

Review of Trust

***When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi

Memoir of a young neurosurgical resident who is about to finish his residency when he finds out he has terminal cancer.  The first half of the book tells his life prior to the diagnosis; the second half covers how he deals with the short time he has left.  I'm not doing justice to the book.  Read the review for more info. This isn't a maudlin book.  It reminded me of Oliver Sacks' writing late in his life. Abraham Verghese wrote the introduction.

Review of When Breath Becomes Air

Mad Honey, by Jodi Picoult 

An ok who-dun-it.  I finished it, so it was compelling enough to keep me interested. Felt like she wrote it for the book club circuit 

Review of Mad Honey

Camino Island, by John Grisham

Beach book, with just enough plot twist to keep you interested

Review of Camino Island

***The Yellow House, by Sarah Broom

Another excellent memoir.  Sarah is one of 12 children who live in a small yellow house on the outskirts of New Orleans.  Its bright yellow exterior covers the fact that the house is a ramshackle mess on the inside.  Her mother always keeps the family well dressed, and no one is allowed in the house to see their actual living conditions. When the children are grown, Katrina happens.  Broom chronicles what happens to the family and the house through the years, and as a consequence of the hurricane.

Review of The Yellow House

Christmas "Letter" 2024

 We have had a busy year, full of fun and interesting activities, as well as the usual set-backs of living.

Probably the biggest thing that we did was sell the trailer and truck and purchase a used Winnebago Travato camper van.  Towing (and parking) the trailer was always stressful, but as we got older, we realized that we needed something that worked better with our aging lifestyle. It took a while to accomplish it all, but we now have our 2017 Travato. It is fully self-contained, with a tiny kitchen and bath, all within the body of a Dodge Promaster van chassis--(the same vehicle as all the Amazon trucks). 

takes up a lot less space on our long driveway

Has a nice awning and screened door opening

We decided against doing any big trips and just did short stays at nearby state parks, able to get sites at the last minute because our rig is only 25' long total and because we are free to go during the week.  On our birthday weekend in April, we enjoyed going to Warrior's Path State Park in Kingsport for our inaugural trip. Lots of people stopped by to see us and see the van. We also spent several days at each of the following: Roan Mountain State Park, Panther Creek State Park, Watauga Dam Campground, Pipestem State Park in WV, and Linville Falls Campground  in NC. Linville Falls was particularly fun because we camped with our friends Mairzy and Rick.  Mairzy snagged four lottery tickets for the synchronous firefly viewing at Grandfather Mountain.  We had seen synchronous fireflies in the Smokies many years ago, but Grandfather Mtn. also has ghost fireflies and glowworms, which we hadn't seen before. See link for more info, if you are interested:  Grandfather Mountain Info.

waiting for dark to see fireflies

view from restaurant at Little Switzerland on Blue Ridge Parkway

This area was completely destroyed a few months later
 by hurricane Helene. Helicopters  were landing on this terrace
to bring in supplies and evacuate people.

We are delighted that we had a lot of visitors this year:  Susie and Ed from Atlanta; Charlotte, Brian, Amy, Logan, and Brooke from Huntsville; my dear friend John from Knoxville, and nephew Pete and wife Karen from Chicago. It is so fun to welcome people to our home.  The fact that we have a dedicated guest suite in our basement with a private entrance makes it easy for people to be here.  So if you haven't been to visit, please consider it.  We love hosting folks at our home, both as overnight guests and for entertaining.

Pete and Karen at Rocky Fork State Park

Picture of me holding Pete as a baby

Pete is my godson

We finally finished off most of our outdoor house projects, so our outdoor spaces are fun to enjoy.  As you can see, we like colorful things:

Spiral staircase to upper deck

Adirondack chairs where pool used to be--just outside
guest area door, overlooking the "gulch"

We have a firepit here, so invite folks for "pit sits" regularly.

I continue to enjoy working in the yard and being a member of a local garden club.  I have started hiring someone to help me with yard work, so that helps a lot.  He is a delightful student from Zimbabwe.

At 71 and 81, we are dealing with aging and increasing health issues, none of which are life-threatening.  I have knee problems; Alan has back problems.  So we are slowing down, making accommodations to what we are able to do, and planning for the future.  I realized that when we made out our wills right after we got married, we did not have an executor nor powers of attorney designated for when we both are gone, so we revised our wills to deal with that glaring issue.  I also bought a NOK (next of kin) box, which is an easy filing system that has all necessary information for the next of kin to deal with. NOKBOX link Nephew Paul Bliese, who lives in Columbia, SC, has agreed to be executor and deal with everything once we both are gone.  We have loved having Paul and Marta as our closest Bliese relatives throughout most of our marriage--getting together at cabins or B&B's several times a year, having holidays at their large and welcoming home, and meeting for meals in Asheville.

Having dear family on both sides is a particular joy.  As you can see above, Alan's sisters and family visit frequently, which is wonderful.  We spent a delightful Thanksgiving in Atlanta with Susie and Ed, and Mitzi, their cat.  We will be going to Huntsville for Christmas, where Charlotte, Harry, and their extended family live.  When I married Alan, I got a fantastic bonus:  his loving family.

Mitzi's new best friend

The only real negative for the year was the election, which was devastating.  I don't usually talk about politics in this blog, but dealing with this is something that we are still trying to wrap our heads around.  Right now, reading about what is happening nationally is too painful, so we have stopped watching, reading, or discussing the news.  I turned off the TV during the entire Reagan administration, so we will be doing that for the next four years as well, I guess.  I have thought and journaled about how I will deal with this. I have decided that I will do what I can to support those who continue the fight--adding more donations to Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, for example--and supporting candidates who do not advocate overthrowing the government and the rule of law. Other than that, I am following Lawrence O'Donnell's advice that, "Optimism is a choice."  And I make that choice.  I plan to pay attention to the beautiful, to the kind, to the insightful.  Read thought-provoking books and articles.  Control what I can control, and that is a lot.  This beautiful world and our wonderful families and friends will still be here for us to enjoy, no matter who is president. No jousting at windmills; that is crazy-making. 

We fly the flag every day because we love this country.

My First Thanksgiving in the Mountains

 When I took the job at Mountain Empire Community College in 1982, I was newly-divorced, after 16 years of marriage and living on my own for the first time in a culture very different from what I had experienced in the past.  The first years were more difficult, but I found the people both at the college and in the community to be very kind--although they weren't quite sure what to make of me.

One of the people I came to know was Raymond, a student who was going through some life transition issues also.  I met him when I happened to hear someone playing an old piano that was in the hallway of Dalton-Cantrell Hall.  The music was wonderful, mostly lively gospel songs--but played with great skill and joy--although he played completely by ear, with no formal training.  I love music, so stopped to listen and talk to him.  As it turned out, he really needed a work study job and asked if I would be willing to hire him.  I didn't really need a work study, but it was traditional for the college profs to hire students who needed jobs in order to go to college, even if they didn't have much for them to do.  Like most of the other students at the college, he was surviving on the Pell Grant and work study wages, living at home with his parents.  

Raymond's family lived in the Rye Cove/Clinchport area, which was south of the college.  He didn't have a car, so in order to get to school, he would catch a ride to the main highway with a relative who was going south to work in Kingsport. Then, Raymond would hitchhike the 20 miles north to the college.  He always had to leave early, because he was never sure when someone would pick up a lone male hitchhiker by the side of the road.  

When Thanksgiving time came around, Raymond found out that I had no family in the area and wasn't going anywhere for the holiday.  Family is incredibly important to mountain people, so he asked his family if he could invite me to join them.  They kindly accepted, so I was able to have a wonderful holiday with them.

The meal was at his grandmother's house, which was a small, neat bungalow next to the highway, across from the Clinch River.  If I remember the story correctly, Raymond's late grandfather had farmed the bottom land on the other side of the river.  He had to row a boat over the river every day to work the farm. The house didn't have a dining room, so we were all around a table in the cozy kitchen. I don't remember how many people were there, but I'd say about 10--all family except for me.  

We had a delicious, traditional Thanksgiving meal; then afterwards, all went to the living room, where I encountered another tradition in the family--they all played Bible trivia.  Raymond's father was a preacher at a small church he had started himself.  Unlike my father, who had gone to seminary, he had been "called" to preach, and was totally self-taught.  I could tell that the trivia game was a sort of test for me, to see if I knew the Bible as well as they did.  They were pretty amazed that I could answer a lot of the questions, so they decided I was OK for Raymond to work for, I guess.  I'm not sure I lived up to their expectations, since I supported Raymond in doing what he wanted to do with his life.  But that is another story, and not one for this blog.

Raymond worked for me that school year; then frankly, I don't remember what happened to him.  I hope that he is well and living a good life.  I do know that I remember his kindness and the kindness of his family with great gratitude.

Hurricanes, here and in Florida

 Hurricane #1: Helene

As I'm sure all of you know, our area got hit by devastating winds and flooding due to hurricane Helene.  Many of you have inquired as to how we were affected, so I thought I would let you know:

Here in Johnson City, we were not affected at all.  We had three days of deluge, and one day of wind gusts to 60 mph, but our power didn't go out, and there was no flooding.  TVA has dams on the local rivers, and they were able to deal with the rain.  Just a few miles away in the towns on rivers that aren't dam-controlled, there was extensive flooding, loss of power and water, and all the things you have seen and heard about.  The I 26 bridge on the Nolichucky River that was washed out is very close to us--just a few exits up the road.  Of course, North Carolina was the hardest hit.  All those little communities that were washed away or destroyed are very close.  Everyone from the top of the Blue Ridge Parkway down to the Tennessee border is still digging out.  Those that have passable roads are coming here to Johnson City to buy food, gas,  get cash, and have cell service.  Since there is no power, the stores in the mountains are taking cash only, if they are open at all. The first day after the storm, I went to Food City, and it was virtually empty of food.  However, within a day, all stores were restocked, thanks to the amazing response from the parent companies. 

The astounding thing has been the wonderful response from all aspects of society.  Federal, state, and local emergency management people really had their acts together.  The coordination to get food, water, generators, and other emergency aid into the area was astounding.  People have come from all over the country and Canada to help.  Every time we get on I 26, we see power company trucks from far-flung places, trucks hauling earth-moving equipment, and other relief supplies.  National guard and private helicopters bring in aid where the trucks can't reach.  The helicopters brought the wounded here to the hospital in Johnson City, so for a few days, we had constant helicopter traffic over our house. FEMA has been on the ground helping people, setting up centers throughout the area. The World Central Kitchen and other relief organizations have served thousands of hot meals every day--contracting with local restaurants that weren't destroyed to make the food.

Power Company Personnel

Helicopter traffic over Johnson City one day

Mules go where trucks and helicopters can't go.

Highway scene

 

Of course, mountain people are resourceful and civic minded.  They step up to help each other in times of trouble.  Unfortunately, there also is a part of the population that is very suspicious of "the government," so there are awful rumors on social media about FEMA and what it supposedly is or isn't doing.  However, our local, state, and national politicians have been very vocal in their support of FEMA and other federal assistance, asking people to make use of the services and to please stop fear mongering.

It will be years before everything is back to normal, but some towns that had less damage are opening up again.  The Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia reopened; Appalachian State University in Boone, NC welcomed back its students; water lines are being rebuilt and rerouted; temporary bridges are being built; power is being restored.  The resiliency of humankind is remarkable.

Hurricane #2: Milton

As many of you know, my 91-year-old brother Art and his wife Dolores live in Punta Gorda, Florida, which was recently hit by hurricane Milton.  Luckily, they were not in the direct path of the hurricane, but they were in the evacuation area a bit further south.  They wisely chose to go to a daughter's home in Sebring, in central Florida, to ride out the storm.  When they got back home, they found that the power was on, although it had been off for seven hours, and their rental home had no water incursion or damage.  There were lots of downed trees, however, that the HOA and other residents were dealing with.  We are all so thankful that they chose to evacuate and that they suffered no serious effects from the storm.

Art and Dolores: If you want to add anything else from your perspective, feel free to comment.

The Hoppe Sisters

When I was nine years old, my family moved from the tiny town of Elroy, Wisconsin to the relatively large city of Shreveport, Louisiana.  My father was the pastor at a Lutheran church, which was growing due to his hard work.  My mother was his partner in the church work, so they were gone doing good deeds most of the day and often in the evenings.  In those days, parents didn't worry about where their kids were.  If we said we were going outside to play or to play with neighborhood kids, they never checked up on us.  We knew what was out of bounds, and we didn't go there, at least I didn't.  We'd come back in time for supper or chores. The only thing I did was go barefooted, which my mother strictly forbade.  According to her, only poor people went without shoes; plus, you could get worms by going barefooted. So I would go outside wearing my shoes, take them off next to the outside faucet, and when I came home, wash off my feet and put my shoes back on.  She never knew.

It was my great luck that two little girls close to my age lived three houses down from us on Merrick Street: Ann and Camille Hoppe.  Unlike most of the other little girls on our street, they welcomed me to their playtimes during the summer. They didn't seem to mind that I had thick glasses and a Yankee accent. It is through them that I was introduced to a completely different life from what I had experienced in my home.

Ann and Camille lived in a large, rambling two-story house with a screened porch on the front.  The summers in Louisiana were beastly hot and humid. In those days before air conditioning, Ann and Camille were allowed to sleep on day beds on the porch at night, something my mother thought was not proper for young girls to do.  I envied them exceedingly, while Rosemary and I sweltered in our bed at night.

Their mother worked as a surgical nurse at night, so she slept during the day.  Because of that, we had to be quiet when we were in the house.  We were under the benign watchfulness of their very elderly grandfather, Mr. Hamilton, who spent his days sitting up in bed reading books.  His bedroom was neat and orderly, while the rest of the house looked like a whirlwind had gone through it.  I loved it. Mr. Hamilton had an ancient car, maybe a Hudson, that was beat to hell.  The upholstery on the back seat was shot, with the springs coming through.  It was covered with a colorful blanket.  The shocks on the car were useless, also, so the car swayed surprisingly whenever you came to a stop.  However, we didn't mind a bit, because he would take us to the drive-in theater--three little girls on an adventure in the summertime.  

Mrs. Hoppe had a boyfriend named Sonny.  Sonny had been in the Navy, so he was the first heavily-tattooed person I met.  He was a wild man, with many tales of his adventures around the world.  He had a motor scooter and convinced me to go with him for a little ride one day, which I did.  I think we just went around the block. He took it easy and didn't scare me.  When I was in high school, Sonny got cancer.  The family had joined our church, so my father would go to see him in the hospital.  Even as he lay dying, he would regale my father with his exploits.  Dad would come home laughing, amazed at how Sonny could still be Sonny, even in his last days.

After elementary school, I stopped running around with Ann and Camille as much.  We were never in the same classes at school, and we largely went our separate ways.  Ann was in my graduating class at Byrd H.S. She did sign my yearbook, so we must have still been in contact somewhat.  But I don't remember that we did things together anymore after those first few years in Shreveport.  However, I will always be grateful to them.  They welcomed a strange little girl into their fascinating life, and that was priceless to me.

I'm sorry to say that I don't have any pictures of the Hoppe sisters from that time.  I do have this snapshot of me on my bicycle taken July of 1955.  I am on the sidewalk in front of our house on Merrick Street. In the background, I think you can see Mr. Hamilton's car next to the fence and the screened porch on the front of the Hoppe sisters' house.

Best Books of 2023

 As usual, here is my list of recommended books I read in the past year.  They are in the order I read them, not by date of publication.  I omitted any I read that I didn't really like, although you can see by my comments that I had a more tepid reaction to some of them.

*** = highly recommended

***Mornings on Horseback, by David McCullough

It took me a while to get through this one, but I did find it most interesting. Mornings on Horseback is the biography of the childhood, youth, and young adulthood of Theodore Roosevelt.  As with all McCullough books, it is thoroughly researched and most readable.  He was helped by the fact that Roosevelt’s sister kept all his letters, and he was a prolific letter-writer.  How he goes from a sickly, asthmatic child from a most privileged family to becoming an outdoorsman and populist politician is a fascinating story.  See Goodreads review for more detail: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2368.Mornings_on_Horseback

Lucy by the Sea, by Elizabeth Strout

Strout’s most recent book, takes Lucy and her ex-husband William through the pandemic.  When things first start getting bad, William absolutely insists that Lucy leave New York.  He literally demands that she pack her things and come with him to Maine.  He realizes that New York will be an epicenter of death, and he wants all his loved ones out of the city.  He also convinces their two grown daughters and their husbands to leave, but they go to Connecticut.  What ensues as Lucy and her philandering but warmhearted ex-husband are trapped in a farmhouse on the coast of Maine is interesting. Much of the content of the first half of the book is a reprise of the Lucy backstory of her childhood, their marriage, etc.  This was necessary since not everyone has read the other Lucy stories like I have.   I liked this book.  She comes to interesting insights on life that struck home with me.

Small Fry, by Lisa Brennan-Jobs

Memoir by Steve Jobs’ oldest daughter.  She was conceived during Jobs’ hippie days, and he never married Lisa’s mom.  For most of her life, he denied that she was his daughter and either refused to give child support or gave small amounts grudgingly.  Lisa’s mom finally got a court-ordered paternity test to prove he was her father.  After that, he did support her more and over time was more actively involved in her life.  For a time, she lived with Jobs and his family, although he was never generous with his love, time, or money, even when she lived in his home.  Even so, she continued to want to have a loving relationship with him, valuing the times when he was with her and they had more of a good relationship.  Not a Cinderella story, though.  She wasn’t really abused, just benignly ignored by Jobs, all the while her mother was struggling to support them and giving her unconditional love. She survived to tell the story. Ok quick read.

***Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, by Peter Attia

It took me two months to get through this book because of all the technical/medical evidence he details.  However, I found it interesting and worthwhile to read.  Like Growing Young, which I read last year, it describes key aspects of longevity.  None were surprising, of course, but it was a comprehensive analysis, woven into his own life story.  Probably will buy it so I can read it again to mark things to remember.  Find Kindle version maddening because I can’t do that.

***The Personal Librarian, by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

The amazing mostly true story of Belle da Costa Greene, who became the curator/librarian for J.P. Morgan, helping him build his famous library and collection of rare books and art.  This remarkable woman was successful at a time when women were rarely in such important professions. The fact that she was born Belle Marion Greener, a light skinned black woman, and was able to pass for white throughout her adult life, makes it even more astounding. A quick, interesting story.

Hummingbird Salamander, by Jeff Vandermeer

Confusing story about futuristic ecoterrorism tied in with rare animal trade—I think.  It was compelling enough that I wanted to finish it, reading all afternoon, but it really wasn’t satisfying reading.  Too many twists and turns that seemed unnecessary.

Without Warning, by David Rosenfelt

Interesting thriller, with lots of convoluted plot twists.  Not great literature, but good beach read.

***Beneath a Scarlet Sky, by Mark Sullivan

Fascinating story of a young man in Milan during the Nazi occupation of Italy.  Based on the real-life experiences of Pino Lella, who through interesting circumstances became the driver for a Nazi general.  He used his position to spy for the resistance, which passed on his information to the Allies.  This is only one of the many threads of the story of his life. I recommend this as a great read, one that you will definitely enjoy.  Thanks to Phyllis for giving me the book and suggesting that I read it.

***The Secret Life of Sunflowers, by Marta Molnar

This fascinating, most readable novel is based on the true story of Johanna Bonger, Vincent Van Gogh’s sister-in-law.  After the death of both Vincent and her husband, she was left with most of Vincent’s paintings, which were considered worthless.  Although women were not supposed to be art dealers, she took upon herself the task of finding galleries who would show his work. 

The book has a corollary fiction aspect telling about a modern woman who finds Johanna’s story in a box that was left to her by a beloved aunt.  Including this aspect allowed the author to have romance and an uplifting story of a present-day woman dealing with a life transition.  Good for the book club set, I assume.  I liked it.

 

Christmas "Letter" 2023

 Alan and I wish you a most happy holiday season! As usual, instead of mailing a card or letter, I will do an update on things of note this year that I haven't covered in this blog.  Some of you who are Facebook friends, may recognize some of the pix.

We did four trips that I haven't told you about:

In June, we had a modified "Bliese" family reunion at Folly Beach, SC, near Charleston.  My sister Rosemary, niece Jeanne, and husband Kris came from PA; grandniece Lea from Charlotte; nephew Pete and wife Karen from Chicago; and nephew Paul from Columbia. We had a lovely time exploring Charleston, enjoying the beautiful beach, and just being together.

Rosemary and I with Jeanne, Kris, and Lea
Paul had to leave early, so we didn't get a pic of him.  

Pete and Karen on the boardwalk from house to beach.

Nice outdoor deck for eating and enjoying the view.

Great screened porch where we spent lots of time

915 Ashley, if you ever want to rent a pleasant six bedroom beach house at Folly.

In August, we took the trailer to Rock Creek Recreation Area, which is very near where we live, for our annual outing with our friend Kevin and his daughter Emily. It rained torrents while we were there, but we still had fun.  It made the creek into a spectacular set of rapids, rather than the lazy creek it usually is.  The only pix I took of the creek are videos, which are difficult to get into this blog.  You can check them out on my Facebook posts, if you wish.

Our favorite site

We drove up to Beauty Spot.

View from Unaka Mtn. overlook

In October, we joined Alan's sisters and their husbands at a cabin at Rock Island State Park, in central Tennessee.  It is a beautiful park with many wonderful waterfalls.  We had a fantastic time with everyone and seeing the beautiful sights.  

That orange dot is Alan, who was the only one to do the trail
 to the bottom of the gorge.  This was just one month after
he had his hip replaced, but he was determined to do it.
No ill effects, luckily.

We spent a delightful Thanksgiving week near Atlanta, GA at the home of Alan's sister Susie and her husband Ed.  Besides having a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner, we did a lot of most enjoyable things, including celebrating Susie's birthday.  Unfortunately, the only pix I have are from a fun Winter "Lantern" Festival we attended. 

Everyone got a halo light to wear,
which did help in keeping track of folks in the dark!

These "lanterns" were huge.  See person for scale.

Susie and Ed's cat Mitsi became Alan's best friend.
Alan really misses our dear Shelby,
so this was a lovely thing to happen.

I continue being active with a local garden club.  We had a flower show at an art gallery this year, which was way more complicated than I ever imagined.  My part was to handle publicity since I am not good at doing the fancy designs.  They were very grateful, though.  It was extremely well attended.  I did enter a couple of the horticulture categories, and my hay-scented fern got best in the fern class.

I spend a lot of time in the yard, also, and the flowers are usually quite pretty.  Due to the steep lot and my advancing age, I am hiring people to do things more and more.  

Basket on front of house

State Fair zinnia with butterfly

Black-eyed Susans with crepe myrtle

bee on sweetspire

The daffodils continue to be beautiful each spring.

We reached the 70/80 milestones this year, so we are ever aware of how our time is getting shorter.  Alan's hip surgery helped his pain a lot, and we are grateful for his complete recovery in such a short time.  I have issues with my feet, knees, and shoulder, mostly from arthritis, but I am trying to stay as active as I can. Because towing the trailer is becoming more of an issue, we have decided to sell it and the truck and get a used camper van--probably a Winnebago Travato.  A van would be much easier to drive and back up, park in a regular parking place, and would be something I could drive in an emergency. But we are in the earliest stages of that process. So if you know of someone who would like to buy our truck and/or trailer, they are for sale.  The truck is a 2007 Toyota Tundra with a cap on the back, in excellent condition. It has a back-up camera on the hitch, so you can easily hook up the truck to trailer without assistance. Trailer is a 19' 2017 Lance, model 1995. Trailer has a full bath, but I don't have a pic.

Once we get the van, we plan to do an extended trip out West, and maybe take the ferry to Alaska. At least, that is our present plan.  Not sure when we will pull it all together, but hope that we can do it next year.

As we have done for the past few years, we will spend Christmas in Huntsville with Alan's family.  It is always a wonderful time of joy and love. May you also have a joyous holiday season with those you love.  

Alan models his new Christmas hat.