Monday, December 30, 2013

Looking back…

‘Tis the time of year to look back at the year that was.  I have gotten into this habit less from nostalgia and more from needing a concise synopsis of the year to answer questions like:  What year did we go to Timbuktu?  and Didn’t Uncle Sid die in 2013?  So, here goes my first six months of 2013…

In January, while I was still recovering from my knee replacement and nursing the worst cold I've had in years, Greg, Olive, the pug, and I took a road trip from Massachusetts to Apalachicola, Florida.  It was a good antidote for what ailed me.


In February, we got hit with Winter Storm Nemo.  When the heck did they start naming the winter storms anyway?  Nemo was a powerful nor’easter that dropped over 20 inches of snow on us.  We’ve lived in New England long enough to not let that kind of thing hold us back for too long, so my daughter Carrie and I planned an overnight trip out to North Adams, Massachusetts, to visit the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MassMoCA) to see Xu Bing’s Phoenix.  In this photo, you can see the scope of the project, which consists of two huge birds made entirely from materials taken from construction sites in urban China, including demolition debris, steel beams, and tools.  But it is difficult to convey the beauty of the work.  If you are interested in seeing Phoenix in more detail, click here.


March came in like a lion for us and stayed lion-like for a while, but I’ll be damned if I can remember if it went out like a lamb.  In any case, we had more snow to contend with...lots more snow.


Spring finally came to us in April and nothing screams SPRING to me more than the forsythia blooming.  But the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15 shocked and saddened us.


While I stayed home and enjoyed the spring in May, Greg took off on his motorcycle and circumnavigated Lake Superior.  I would enjoy circumnavigating Lake Superior, but in an automobile.


June was a major event for me.  I turned 60 and for my birthday, Greg and I went to Norway.  That’s what Greg gets when he asks me what I want for my birthday.  I guess he figured that it was too much to deny an old woman.  We had a fantastic time in that spectacularly beautiful country!  It could well have been the best birthday gift I’ve ever received.  Sorry, I couldn't stop at one photo.

On the Nærøyfjorden

Scenery above the Arctic Circle.


To be continued…

11 comments:

MadSnapper said...

sorry i missed your birthday, hope you have many more, and that is a perfect cake... the first shot i though why would theyput a stop sign way out there, then i realized it was flooding.

TexWisGirl said...

so far you summarized a very up and down first half of the year. looking forward to part two. i hope 2014 will be smoother for most. :)

Nancy said...

So what do you want for your 61st birthday? :)

The Furry Gnome said...

Sounds like an interesting year you had. I must go back and read about your trip to Norway. Happy new year!

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

I think you should do a book or some kind of collection of your Norway photos. I could look at them all day.

I hope 2014 brings wonderful blessings to you!

Deanna said...

Oh I do remember your trip to Norway and all those gorgeous images. Hope your 2014 is filled with more beauty and give Olive a big New Year's hug for me.

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Nice pictures .. I wish you a happy 2014 .. Regards from Spain

Lynn said...

fabulous first 6 months-I am familiar with Xu Bing and how lucky to actually see in person his creations, my Father came from Norway and so did my first husband (I've a second) tho I've never been to Norway (yet) such wonderful shots, funny little birthday cake ;-); still a BDcake.

Tanya Breese said...

oh i enjoyed looking back with you!! have a happy and safe new year!

Brian King said...

Gorgeous photos! I'm glad you got to go to Norway. I'd love to take an overseas trip that didn't involve the military. Have a Happy New Year!

Stratoz said...

Some great moments indeed.