Listening to someone describe his Christmas memories recently, he said, "When you're a kid, you think everything will always be the same." And of course, it's not. "Change" and "pivot" are the daily reminders in this third year of the pandemic. Despite that, Tim and I are adapting and had a very busy year.
Winter and spring were filled with happy events - a beach camping, kayaking, whale watching trip to Baja California in February - in part a celebration of our 50th anniversary - and later an outdoor party to celebrate with friends and family. (Grateful for who was there, wish we could have invited more.) The enclosed photo is of our four grandchildren that day: Jackson, Lily, Kyra, and Odin. It was so good to see them playing together again. We are so thankful to my sister Joyce, brother Mike, nephew Doug, daughter Amanda, granddaughter Kyra and others for all their help. In May we attended the beautiful wedding of our great niece Masha Joslin, in the Sierra Gold Country. It was also a family reunion, as we had not seen my brother and his family for several years. It was a wonderful weekend.
Tim and Amanda ventured out in the spring for several backpacking trips: First, a 14-mile overnight trip in May, then a 20-mile weekend trip to the Minarets. They encountered snow fields, a frozen lake, marmots, horrendous mosquitos, and the unmatchable peace and beauty of the Sierras. Later, another trip was planned near Kirkwood. Tim and I camped first at Silver Lake, but he developed sudden eye pain, so we headed home. Amanda still went solo, enjoying a section of the Pacific Crest trail and logging 19 miles over 3 days. I bou
ght Tim a Garmin InReach for his birthday, so Amanda borrowed it and was able to check in, letting us know she hadn't been eaten by a bear (yet!) I still love to be in the backcountry and wish I could join them; I just want my pack-goats or llamas to carry everything!In June, after 2.5 years of being cautious, I contracted Covid, ironically probably at a local pharmacy, even though I was masked, etc. The first two days were rough, and Jocelyn was calling to prompt her dad and sister to make me get up to move around, check my oxygen level, etc. Fortunately, they didn't get sick, and for my birthday on June 30 I took my first dose of Paxlovid. Within a few hours I was ready for the delicious fruit basket cake Amanda bought. I'm very thankful that most symptoms had resolved after about 6 weeks.
With persistent winds this spring, kayaking was limited but we still enjoyed beautiful hikes, wildflowers, and beach time with friends. Our drought continues and is serious, which limits my ability to grow more than a few veggies. Locally, music events are returning, especially outdoor events. Two spectacular concerts were Chris Thile with the Punch Brothers and Sarah Jarosz, and later a Ukrainian contemporary folk group, Dakha Brakha. Then there is good ol' Sonoma County folk, rock, and our excellent Santa Rosa Symphony. We even saw Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 at a beautiful outdoor setting in St. Helena. Occasionally we head to Berkeley or SF for events there. In September we camped at Meeks Bay, Lake Tahoe, with our kayaking group, enjoying the company, stunning sunsets, and time on the water. Another beloved kayaking event is our Friendsgiving on the beach. We had beautiful weather and friendship; some of us had not seen each other for several years. We also went to a Golden State Warriors game this spring, and a couple of Giants games, one time with fireworks!
Tim, after reaching his goal of black belt several years ago, has retired from regular practice of Goju Kai. He still works out informally with a friend and sometimes Martin. He continues workouts at a local gym, and of course, all that backpacking! He has delved into genealogy this year, taking five classes through our community college. He is making some interesting discoveries, on both sides of our family. He also serves as treasurer for the local Military Officers Association, worked on local campaigns for Green Party candidates, and is relearning bass guitar.
We attended the Scottish Games in Pleasanton, CA. In August. During a record-breaking heat wave, watching men and women in kilts marching, dancing, and tossing the caber. It was only 107 that day! The following day was 113. Also, that weekend we attended a small family circus in Petaluma taking Kyra and Odin. Inside the tent in early evening, it was only in the high 80s! Because we were in the front row, we were singled out for the clown's water dousing gag - which was welcome. We are thankful that although there continue to be destructive fires throughout the West, our area was mostly spared this year.
Amanda and Tim planned another challenge in October: to climb Half Dome in Yosemite! Snagging a permit is tough, but then there is the issue of leaving a vehicle that doesn't become a party van for the bears! They left early one morning, picked up friend Shannon at OAK, and arrived in Yosemite several hours later. They hiked up Vernal & Nevada Falls to a cozy campsite and watched a gorgeous sunset beyond Half Dome. The next day they headed up the glacier-polished dome, utilizing the cables and sparsely placed boards. The view at the top - well, it's Yosemite. They sprinkled some of Terry's ashes over the edge before heading back down the flimsy "ladder." Tim wore a harness and clipped on to the cable, but most people didn't do that. I'll take rock climbing with a belayer, thank you! Tim said that it sure was a lot easier the last time he climbed Half Dome in 1976. They then camped one more night and then headed home. What an accomplishment! I'm so proud of all of them, especially the 72-year-old dude! Their comment? "Terrifying!"
Besides backpacking, Amanda mostly is trying to keep her head above water as a full-time student and full-time worker. One more year until she completes her BS in Computer Science! While we were on our trip to Mexico, some guests tried to move in - a pair of raccoons. It startled her to see two heads peeking over our back fence, and we laughed hearing about her endeavors in encouraging them to re-locate: scary LED lights, chasing them off with a hose, and sprinkling cayenne pepper everywhere. She and her pups Bucky & Petunia try to get away for short trips when they can; one trip to central Oregon with 8 friends and 12 dogs. She also visited friend Shannon in Albuquerque, where they hiked, including summiting Guadalupe Peak in Texas at 8751 ft., with 40 mph winds! She joined a local softball team this summer which placed first but was sidelined for a few games from a sprained ankle.
Jocelyn and Martin were adopted last year by a young rooster, Charlie. We call Martin the rooster whisperer. Well, Charlie reached puberty, and became "spicy." They bought Copper, the hen, and...now they're up to about 25 chickens - all named! There are many chicken tales, some hilarious, some sad, but it's been an educational journey, and something to keep their minds off the pandemic. Jocelyn is still on oxygen, but some days can be off for 30 minutes or so. She can drive locally, enabling her to resume some homeschool group activities with Odin. She remains determined in her therapy and is up to 10,000 steps a day. Martin and Odin (almost 10), love biking in our local parks. Kyra loves skating, and some online gaming with friends. She volunteered a few times this summer with a local non-profit, Art Start. Many college-age activities remain elusive to her, as she has struggled some days with debilitating post-Covid effects. Their family did make a quick trip to Mt Shasta last winter for a snow play day. In November they camped at Red Rocks , NV, peeked at Las Vegas, and then visited Valley of Fire. On the way home they visited Martin's brother, and Odin had lots of playtime with that set of cousins. And congrats to Martin, who earned a black belt in Goju Kai this year.
Lily, at 14, is a busy and successful eighth grader. They are on the leadership committee at school, and we really enjoy seeing their performances in children's theater, playing Maui in Moana, and dance. They recently found out they were accepted to Santa Rosa High School, and the Art Quest program there. They like hanging out with friends, and being with their cat, Josie.
Jackson is a sixth grader this year, likes history and joined chess club. Recently, after his birthday, he said, "Yeah, I'm 12, but I'm still short!" Soon, Jax, soon... He very patiently led Grandma through a chess game (it's been decades since I played,) but then almost beat Grandpa at backgammon. He likes cuddling with his cat, Sushi. Lil and Jax are both still in band - Lily on sax, and Jax on drums. This year we took them to the new Tunnel Tops Park in San Francisco, followed by lunch at Mel's diner, and have had some wonderful visits with them, with both indoor and outdoor activities. We love our four grandkids so much, watching them grow, and are here to support them.
With change, it's good to stay grounded, and be grateful for what we do have. My Covid Coffee Coven is continuing, and while this group of friends doesn't meet for zoom coffee every morning, we are getting together one way or another regularly. A new art studio opened in Petaluma, where I have taken both with acrylic - and with my sister Joyce -a watercolor class. I'm still playing clarinet with Petaluma Community Band; we recently had our winter concert. Playing uke, while not as frequent this year, is still a lot of fun. I'm thankful for hiking, book club, music, kayaking and all our family, friends, fur babies, and our relatively good health.
We think of Terry every day. We see him in his kids and know he would be so proud of them. January 4 will mark year 6 of him leaving us. Please keep him in your thoughts.
We wish you happy holidays, a Merry Christmas, and good health in 2023.Tim and Sharon Morgan and family