One of the blessings of this time of year is the
chance it gives us to connect with you - our friends and family.
As I sit down to write this, Chris is napping in
front of the fire and so is Jake; Gypsy is on top of a cupboard and Smoke is
curled up in the laundry basket. I’m watching
an Annas hummingbird drinking from the feeder hanging outside the kitchen
window, and can also see the nuthatches and juncos taking their turns at the
bird feeders out front. I’m not sure
exactly what it is about bird watching that has inspired me to write this
letter at this very moment, or perhaps it’s just quiet, but when the
inspiration hits, you gotta just go with it. So here we go…
Firstly, we hope this letter finds you healthy and in good spirits, and
while it’s hard to know where to begin, we will begin by apologizing for not
being in better touch this year. 2013 is ending and it’s difficult to know just
where the time has gone, since in many ways this year has been a blur. We haven’t connected with many of you by
phone, in person, through letters or even emails, for one reason or another,
but certainly not by choice. Please know
you are always in our thoughts. Neither
Chris nor I do this “Facebook” thing many of you have adopted, so it seems we
are the odd ones out, and often now forgotten in your virtual
communications. Neither of us are about
to change, so don’t expect to find us on “facebook”. We do have email and telephones though, and
would love to be in touch.
If I look back at our 2012 letter, I am reminded that Chris started 2013
in recovery mode from his 3 herniated lumbar discs. Being self-employed comes with its own
unique challenges, and back problems just add to the list. Fortunately he seemed to have healed by
mid-year and is learning to listen to his body more and he accepts that he has
limits now when lifting. While
semi-retired, Chris is also understanding that he needs to lean into the ebbs
and flows of the business rather than stress-out when work isn’t as steady as he
would like. He is happiest when he is
doing carpentry jobs in his work shop (or when I’m not talking!!).
The critter-clan are healthy,
spoiled and continue to enjoy a good life!
Here the 3 of them pose near the wood shed looking like darling angels.
(NOT!) Jake had his 9th
birthday last month and is slowing down a bit, but still behaves like a crazy
teenager.
Our pond continues to thrive and is healthy and teaming not only with
our goldfish and koi, but also with frogs, water snakes, and newts. Constantly buzzing around the pond are an
amazing variety of dragon flies as well.
It is so much fun to just sit and watch the pond activity.
The drought this summer was long; July through September. What made it worse was that our spring was so
unusually wet. This, coupled with the
dry summer made for a very unproductive vegetable garden. Raspberries, cucumbers, leeks and beetroot
where about the only success this year.
We did get a number of plums and a few apples, but that was about
it.
Chris’s Paget’s disease gave him some grief this year, despite it not
having been troublesome for that past 3 years.
His bone scan did not show any progression of the disease, so another
blood infusion was given, and hopefully he will be trouble-free for another 3
years if not more.
I had my own health issues beginning the end of August. Following a number of tests and various
treatments, some scans were done in October and the results were a hiatus
hernia, and also a dysfunctional upper esophagus. So a new diet pattern is in store for me now
and into the new year and beyond
My work is all consuming as ever, and I continue to commute daily from
Bowen Island to the city. Admittedly it
is taking its toll on me. Chris and I have discussed other options, including
selling our lovely home and going back to town (God forbid). We have lots of options to consider, and
won’t rush into anything until it makes sense or is feasible.
In summary, we made it through
another year, which was one of our goals. Our goal of manufacturing
shells for homeless hermit crabs has been put on hold, and Chris’s “How to
Survive on a Baguette a Day” book has
collected another year’s worth of dust;
and maybe next year I’ll get around to manufacturing plastic wishbones
for fake dreams.
In the meantime, as the New Year dawns, we hope it is filled
with the promises of a brighter tomorrow. Wishing you Happy New Year!
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