Clean Slate - 2016

It goes (almost) without saying that time flies. (I wish I had the patience to count how many times I've said that on this blog!) 

So a new year is starting and many of us are heading back to the gym, cutting back on the cheer and trying to improve ourselves as part of the learning curve that is life. Years ago I resolved not to make any more New Year's resolutions and as far as I can remember it's the only one I've actually stuck to.

As Anne of Green Gables says "Tomorrow is a whole new day with no mistakes in it!" The thought used to make me smile with hope, but I'm a bit more jaded now and always mentally add the word "yet" onto the sentence. Be that as it may, like her, I hope not to make the same mistakes twice and learn from the mistakes I do make. (Oh so lofty!)

Not to get existential or philosophical, but I understand that a year passing is just an arbitrary marker of time (does it really pass? are we really here?), but it seems right to do a little postmortem on the old year and set out some plans and goals for the upcoming one. I think it's human nature. (Except for Ron, who pretty well takes each day as it comes with little or no expectations...I know...he's a hero.) It was a pretty good year...new digs, a once in a lifetime travel experience and getting to spend time with family and friends in beautiful Vancouver. Were there problems? Of course, but that is the way of the world. (Don't believe all those people on Facebook, their lives aren't perfect!) So all in all I'll give this year an 8.5 out of ten. (My brother-in-law would probably rate it a solid 5.5...but he's a pessimist.) 

I finally managed to write one blog for every week of the year (+ 1!), which has ever been my goal, but taken me 5 years to achieve. We've reached 72 countries and have doubled viewership (bloggership?) monthly, so that feels pretty satisfying. We even had to delete our first comment this year. I don't like doing it, but it contributed nothing and kind of hurt my feelings.

What the year ahead holds is a mystery and I hesitate to even make a guess. (What's that saying? "Man plans and God laughs"...that's mostly been my experience.) There will be the release of the sequel to 'Last Farmer'...I promise. The first draft is done and all it needs is a heap of editing. There'll definitely be travel...that's the whole point of this crazy adventure we're on, and probably some stress and sadness, but it does me good to remind myself that life is good. That we are healthy and blessed and not matter what life throws our way, we have each other. 

On a more personal note, I just want to acknowledge the people I love. All the wacky ups and downs have made me...well...me and for that I thank you. I have to give a nod to the man who's made this wild adventure possible. You took a risk on a young woman, only half formed, maybe seeing the potential that was there (and ignoring the crazy) almost 25 years ago and I cannot imagine where I'd be without you. We've had a pretty banner year, Love, and it's all because of you. I love you, Ron Robertson! I know people thought we were nuts, getting together, but maybe that was what we both needed. (Cue Billy Joel.)



To everyone who stops by this little blog: I wish you success with your resolutions, a year of prosperity, fulfillment and joy, tinged only lightly with strife or sadness, for that makes us appreciate the happiness all the more.

To you and yours from us and ours. Happy New Year!