This was one year I was thrilled when it finally came to a close…for many reasons.
I started out 2017 in Arizona, but escaped for a week to attend the NYC Women’s March in the latter part of January. I’m so glad I captured my thoughts and feelings in an earlier posting because I can honestly say – a year later – nothing has changed. I still feel we have an idiot running our country and I still feel the need to not get into the weeds of what’s happening. Yes, I stay engaged at a high level, but it’s no longer my primary focus. It’s taken me most of the year to get this point…but I’ve come to the realization that the only thing I can do is learn about the candidates representing me and VOTE.
February was another visit to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. I continue to be amazed and humbled by the people in every single one of these countries.
March was not a good month at all. In fact it was the worst ever experienced in my 60 years. My mom fell one night resulting in multiple fractures. I spent over three weeks in Virginia to advocate on her behalf. Our healthcare system scares the hell out of me and has given me lots of thoughts to ponder regarding the aging process.
April was spent in Arizona to begin the re-do of our family room in our Scottsdale home. We’ve been in our home for 20 plus years and it was time! No more iron-on patches for the chairs and sofa. Yes, it was time…way past time. Because of travel (pleasure and to see my mom) my goal was to pretty much have the re-do completed by the end of 2017. It’s not 100% as of this posting, but very very close.
May was back in NYC – my favorite month ever to be in my city. I also slipped away for a week to Virginia to help celebrate my mom’s return home from the rehabilitation center and her 90th birthday!
June was back in Arizona to continue with the family room re-do and to begin putting plans together for a complete backyard redesign. After 20 plus years of living in this home, the plants were tired, the tile was tired, everything was tired. Imagine day after day of 100 plus degree temperatures. It takes its toll. I’d be looking a little tired too. It was also an opportunity to eliminate a lot of grass (less water!) and work towards more native plantings. Oh, and to construct a view to our mature desert we’ve worked so hard to develop over the years.
July brought a visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico to experience the International Folk Art Market – 160 master artists from 53 countries. Such a wonderful opportunity to visit with the artists and learn more about their handmade traditions. So many of them had never traveled outside their small village in their country and here they are communicating and selling in the United States. Powerful. I especially loved meeting people from countries I’d travel to and seeing their eyes and smiles get big as if they were seeing a long lost friend. So special.
Towards the end of July and into August I returned to Oregon for my second visit. This time meeting up with friends, as well as adding the area of Bend to the destination list. Unfortunately the smoke from the fires in Washington didn’t allow for much hiking nor for many gorgeous scenic images the state is known for. After my return from Oregon I headed to Virginia to spend some time with my mom.
The months of September and October were all about spending time in Arizona to not only work on the home projects, but also to do all those medical tests one must do including the horrible colonoscopy. Unfortunately the phlebotomist had lots of issues finding my vein during the prep and I suffered shooting pains up my right arm for over two months after the procedure. Thank goodness it finally went away about a month ago.
November was off to spend time in NYC with another quick trip to the farm to check on my mom and spend a little time with her. It’s so much easier to combine my Virginia visits to see my mom when I’m in NYC. It’s a quick cab ride to LaGuardia and and hour flight to Roanoke, unlike the all day affair flying out of Arizona, including long layovers in connecting cities.
December was filled with time in Mexico. This was my first trip to Oaxaca and I totally fell in love with the city and surrounding communities. It was just a taste this time, but I’ll definitely return for a longer stay in the future. (I’m working on something way out of my comfort zone.) The remaining two weeks were spent visiting my “sista by choice” in San Miguel de Allende. I love Mexico. Then to finish the year I headed to Virginia to spend Christmas with my mom.
My last blog entry in October I documented what was happening with my mom and how the stress had just done a number on me. Honestly, I had never understood what stress was capable of doing to the body. I am happy to report that I finally signed the paperwork on the reverse mortgage at the end of November while I was in NYC. I can’t even begin to explain the relief of getting that completed. Now there will be enough money to hopefully keep my mom in her home another year before I have to consider putting her in a nursing home and selling the farm. I’m sleeping better (and DREAMING!!) and my hair is no longer coming out by the handfuls. The constant worry has been reduced significantly.
I looked through my photographs taken during 2017 and concluded this particular image was my image of the year. It represents what the Arizona desert gave me in return throughout the year. My body, mind and soul needed solitude and peace and the desert provided – even if it was simply watching the sun set and rise. I must say…”desert bathing” at it’s finest.
Whew…now I feel like I just finished one of those end of year letters that some people put in their holiday cards. I always admire people who do that!
So 2018. I’ve been contemplating my blog and I’m not ready to give it up yet as I’m heading towards my tenth year of blogging. Besides photography, it’s one of the most consistent (well when you average it out, ha!) things I’ve ever done. As much as I’ve tried, I’m horrible at daily journaling. Having said that I do recognize the importance of keeping some diary of my life for when I’m old and can’t remember shit!
And yes, I’ve enabled comments until I decide to turn them off again. 😝
My Dear RR,
Somehow I missed your prior post and had to read that one before this. Hence, I would’ve have asked about your new straight hairdo. Also, the weight loss, which I couldn’t put my finger on, explains the change. But, like I said, it’s a beautiful self portrait and you are beautiful. I’m just so sorry for the stress.
First off, your photo on this post is gorgeous. You are making me appreciate the desert more and more.
I’m so glad your were able to get the reverse mortgage for mom and have some peace of mind for now about that portion.
I pray for her every day.
This was the same fear (and my 1st anxiety attack) I felt about my dad. I thought he would need the round-the-clock care 24/7 for many years and run out of money. Thankfully, it was p/t home help at $20 hr. 10 years ago, and home hospice. Very hard on my mom and but he only lasted 2 months at home.
You should never feel the need to explain your position in life and why other’s may think, “What stress could she ever have?” Never apologize or feel you need to explain you are grateful. You ARE very grateful and we know you are. Anyone who thinks with judgement that certain people couldn’t possibly have stress, are ignorant. Perhaps you are teaching a lesson, but if someone thinks that, they have no knowledge of humankind.
What a year. I am so sorry the stress has affected your health. I am glad you’re begging to feel better and sleeping better
I can relate to the health issues with stress. Had a lot of physical changes, too along with more surgery and still trying to recover from the prior year of sepsis and surgeries.
Now with mom’s spiraling downward.
Thank you for your last post, regarding metta. I knew about practicing loving and kindness but didn’t know it had a name and how it helped you with sleeping better.
Maybe one day you could buy a little place in Mexico and have your own retreat there for when you go, if that makes sense.
I’m excited for your house renovations. Can’t wait to see them.
I wish nothing less than the best in health and happiness for you, Bob and your family this New Year.
Love you.XOXO
Thanks so much for taking the time to write all your sweet comments. So appreciated! It was definitely a tough year and one I never want to repeat. But I’m feeling much better now that the uncertainty is a known. My skin has improved dramatically and as I’ve mentioned my hair loss has really decreased. I’m finding the positive that it doesn’t take long now to blow dry it, ha! Happy New Year and please know you are always in my thoughts too with your struggles, both your health and with you mom. On the Mexico front…don’t think I would ever buy anything there…but it sure is a wonderful country to visit! Thanks again. Love you! xo
This won’t be a long response, Robin, but just to say it’s meaningful to take all those tidbits I heard throughout the year and see them all connected like dots here in this “letter.” You really HAVE been through the mill, so to speak. And yet, in between all the “emergencies,” you have had pure gifts of healing and solace along the way. It’s hard to believe any year could be harder than 2017 for you, on so many levels, so here’s to trusting 2018 will rise above the fray. As I have often said, your photos are a huge inspiration to me! Carry on.
Thanks Ginnie! Yes, the gifts sprinkled throughout the year certainly helped me! Big time! So with positive thinking 2018 will be much better! I love that we inspire each other! xo
What a year 2017 was for you. One to be remember in the negative meaning of this saying. However, things can only go better from here on. Let your photography be the thing that keeps you sane and inspiring and gives you pleasure. And yes we might need to keep a journal, I notice with the blog ‘In Soul’ from Ginnie it keeps our memory alive and it will help when we come at age and don’t remember shit HA…
All the best wishes for you and Bob and family and to a better year!! Love and hugs.
Thanks Astrid! Being creative and getting lost in my photography is one of the best healers for sure! Love and hugs to you both! (And Ginnie’s journal of your activities always amazes me!)
Well, you know I’m always trying to keep up with you! What a year, right? I’m happy to be done with it, too, and looking forward to this new one. That’s some happy news about your mom, at least encouraging, and that you’re getting to do some work at your home.
I know how difficult it is to keep up with our blogs, even with good intentions but I always remember the connections they make possible and the wonderful friends I’ve met through them. Plus getting to enjoy your amazing photos is such a treat, love this one from that gorgeous desert!
I’m so happy that you are taking care of yourself and paying attention to your health, I’ll be making some appointments for dreaded tests soon, too 🙁 birthdays will do that!
You remain on my mind and in my heart, Anam Cara.
Hi my sweet. Thank you for your note! It still amazes me each and every day how our little V&V stays connected after all these years. What a wonderful group of people and so thankful to have met YOU! I know you and Larry had a rough year too, so let’s all look forward to a better one in 2018! Thanks always for your kind words. Love you – Anam Cara.
Can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am to see you are allowing comments again. I LOVE your blogs, and have read every one of them, but after you turned off comments I continued to read the blog, but never noticed you turned comments on again… my bad, but I’m getting older too Ha! But now that I know I can leave a comment, I’m all over it because, I always want you to know I love seeing the world through your eyes, and I will always support you in everything and anything you do! Love you to the moon and back Frissy. Xoxo
Always my sweet support! Thank you dear! ❤️❤️
Robin, what a year! I like this kind of a monthly diary recording the most significant circumstances, in a few years it will be a good reminder of what the life was like at that time. I was surprised and pleased to see so many new posts here since the beginning of the year and also that comments are allowed again! Wishing you a safe year.