2024 Wrap

So another year draws to a close and what an interesting year it's been, from our trip to New Mexico back in the spring, to celebrating our 20th anniversary in September we've added lots of new experiences.

During October we had very much hoped to spend a lot of time at the firepit, unfortunately we had about 10 straight weeks of drought, with the increased fire risk, that was the end of fire pit season, at least we got a couple of sessions in. As usual in the fall the garden looked beautiful, more so this year because we had the landscapers take care of some bush trimming that was well overdue. Like everyone else we enjoyed the visit of the Tsuchinshan comet, next due near Earth in the year 82024 or thereabouts, if it doesn't just fly off into intergalactic space. Sadly on October 8th Dan lost his last aunt with the death of Auntie Sandra, just a couple of uncles left now and that's the end of my parent's generation, life moves on so quickly. At the end of the month we reached Halloween and as in most recent years we just decorated inside the house, because none of the local kids really trick-or-treat in our neighborhood anymore.

In November our hot tub finally broke down, with the original dealer out of business, repairs were impossible, so we opted for removal. On the plus side we now have a huge amount of deck space, which I'm sure will be wonderful once the weather starts to improve again. As pretty much everyone on the planet knows America had an election in which we enthusiastically voted, fortunately the outcome made us quite happy, not least because it was decisive with no uncertainty as to the result. Back in the UK, the new Labour government has continued to trash that country, Dan showed his support for the struggling farmers by donning his wellies and posing with Gwyn. Mid-November brought our neighbors 70th Wedding Anniversary, it's almost unbelievable but they keep going and going and look healthier every time we see them. The month ended with our first snowfall on November 21st and a quiet Thanksgiving celebration at home.

December brought Christmas with all the usual fun and joy. Dan went into New York city to visit the Botanical Gardens Winter Train show and take a look at Grand Central which has had a whole new terminal added to serve Long Island. It was also a chance to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and some of the other buildings nicely decorated for the holidays. We had a really brutal cold snap just before Christmas, the coldest temperatures in a couple of years, but as I write on the 30th the year is finishing mild and wet.

Dan has also been working on a new layout, but laying track is moving slowly, so more to come in future installments.

Fall, Firepit, Halloween, Comet

Voting, Farming, Neighbors 70th, First Snow, Thanksgiving

New York City, Christmas, Trains