Happy New Year! I like to end a year and start a new one by getting outside, taking a walk, clearing my head and pondering what lies ahead. To celebrate the end of 2020 I accepted the challenge to walk 20.20 miles in a week. I’m happy to report that I did just that and have the medal to prove it!
And now, the first month of the new year is over. Did it feel any different than the last few months?? We’re still wearing masks and practicing social distancing; events have been canceled; thousands of people are dying every day; millions of people are unemployed; the country is still politically divided. Doesn’t feel much different, does it?
But, the vaccination process against covid-19 has begun; our new administration has a plan to help individuals and businesses; it’s a new day and as President Biden said in his inaugural address, “we will prevail, we will persevere.”
At this time of year many Americans make a resolution to exercise more, lose weight, drink less, be a better person, yada, yada, yada. The majority of resolutions are broken in the first month! Rather than make a resolution I decided to choose a word to describe my life in the new year. Ready, here it is — recalculate!
We’ve all heard “recalculating” from our GPS when we take a wrong turn or miss a street or reach a dead end. “To calculate again, especially in order to eliminate errors or to incorporate additional factors or data.” I can see a few things I may have to recalculate this year. Like my summer job in Alaska. I was rehired but depending on what the major cruise lines do, I don’t know when my job begins. Where will I live? Depends on where I get a job. If Alaska doesn’t work out, I’ll need to find something else. Many things I need to do depend on something else happening. Kind of a vicious circle with choices to make based on new factors and data.
But one thing is certain, no matter where I am I will always make the best of it and find fun and interesting things to do. January was no exception. I met new people, caught up with a few old friends, did some hiking and took a day trip or two. I did some things around the house like update a few garage-sale finds and give my bathroom a new look. Well, I might have hired someone to do that; it looks fantastic. And I’ve been helping some homeless cats; I think I’ve been adopted!
I hope that as we all recalculate during this new year our paths will cross again….in person or on Zoom! Keep wearing your mask, washing your hands, staying socially distant and getting your vaccine!
A few of my hikes…
I got this old metal filing cabinet for a dollar. Love the new look!
A few bathroom updates. A pretty new white counter top to replace the ugly orange one; got rid of the shower doors; and updated the shelves and wall of the cabinet. Thanks, Nick!
Two of the “regulars’ who hang out on my patio. Anybody want a cat?? These two are very sweet and friendly.
Day trip to Silver City.
What does your “new normal” look like?
photography 