Years pass by so much quicker as you get older. Linear time is funny that way. Tumultuous times relentlessly wear down a person who bothers to pay attention. I admit that these last ten years have been challenging for me.
I thought that when I retired from teaching in 2015 after 33 years, I would be able to explore my world. Short local trips, extended trips, hiking, gardening- all of the good things. For a year or so, I blissfully fulfilled my dreams.
The tumultuous world events working in conjunction with the irreversibly of linear time have forced me to re-calibrate my expectations. Covid and a rotten knee have robbed me of the breath and physical confidence I need to go into the mountainous wilds alone.
By necessity, I've learned to adapt and find new avenues for creativity. Over the past few years, I find myself dabbling in craft arts including painted wooden creatures as well as denim catnip mice and rats. Learning ukulele is a struggle, but fun. Playing whistles, flutes, harmonicas, spoons, and steel tongue drum gives me immense peace and joy.
Here's a chronological sample of my year in photographs.
Below are photos from our trip to Spain. The photos immediately below are from the beautiful Gijon area on the Northern coast.
Below: Lastres near Colunga
Below: Roman Bridge in Cangas de Onis
Below: Basillica de Santa Maria la Real de Covadonga
Below: Lagos (lakes) de Covadonga
Below: Gijon
Below: Barcelona, Parc Guell, Basilica de la Sagrada Familia and Monserrat
Below: Photos from our quick trip to West Lafayette, IN. My sister had a conference at Purdue university
Catawba Sustainability Center
Summers' Retreat
The Moon
A couple of my wooden friends
