Looking Back at 2021

 2021 was a good year, despite Covid's continued impact. We got vaccinated, we traveled, we saw friends, we ate good food.  

January:  Lots of time at home, working on projects.  I took a quilting class in November and again in January and February, and enjoyed learning.  

February:  Goofy picture, but Kevin came to visit and ate at Springfield Brewing Company where we also got a behind the scenes tour.  It was great to get out, even with masks.  And even with this mask in particular!

March:  I'm always up for a good burger, but this one is significant as we stopped for lunch at Double E after my first Covid vaccination.  David was already vaccinated, as were Mom and Dad.  It was such a relief to get those and be a little safer.

April:  I decided to let a kidney stone break free, which resulted in an ER visit and an unfortunate reaction to fentanyl.  Thankfully, I was still able to make most of our college roomie reunion.  It was so good to spend time with these friends.

May:  In may we camped in the shadow of Big Brutus.  It was a great trip, and we saw Arkansauce for the first time.  

June:  The dogs would swim even in the coldest water if we let them, but by June, it's really dog swimming season at the lake.  They both love it, but Annie most of all.

July:  One of my favorite months, especially at the lake.  Lots of time outside, homemade ice cream, all the grilled meats, and lots of activity.

August:  We took our fully vaccinated selves on vacation.  With the exception of a couple of camping trips, this was the first vacation for us since December 2019.  I'm not sure we've ever gone that long without traveling in our 20 years together.  We went to Taos and Red River, NM, where we enjoyed lots of New Mexican food, a pride festival, and a ski lift ride.  I'm not sure whether it was a great vacation, or we were just so glad to go somewhere or maybe both, but we had a wonderful time.

September:  In July, I moved from a large shared office space into my own office with fresh paint and new carpet.  In September, the ordered furniture arrived to complete it.  I'm thankful to have a job I enjoy in my own little space.

October: More camping - this time we were at Byrd's Adventure Park in Arkansas.  The scenery is beautiful there, and between Oark Cafe (1 meal) and Catalpa Cafe (3 meals this time), we do very little cooking.  Some would argue that it isn't camping if you're not cooking.  I don't care what you call it - it's a great long weekend! 

November:  In October, our friends Scott and Todd spread out many of their mom's fall and Halloween decorations for their friends to choose from, and did the same in November with Christmas decor.  Myra loved holidays, and most of us there had enjoyed many many Halloweens at their house.  But, the "stuff" isn't the reason I selected this picture...it was good for the soul to see friends that we rarely see and take a trip down memory lane with all the decorations.  Each year as we all decorate for the holidays, we'll think again of Myra.

December:  In June and July, we planned a group trip to Key West.  It was the 7th for David and I, and everyone had been there more than once.  We have talked about going to the Dry Tortugas on previous trips, but have never been.  Thanks to Todd getting us organized and moving, we finally did it.  It was the highlight of the trip for most of us.  The seaplane arrives a couple of hours before the ferry, so our group had the place to ourselves for a while - sharing only with the construction workers working to preserve the fort and a new National Park rangers.  Now that I've been once, I can't wait to do it again!