2024 Reading Challenge: Is It Too Late to Lower My Goal?

GoodReads Book Challenge Status 2024

Every year for the past few years, I've participated in the GoodReads reading challenge. This year is no different, but I'm struggling to keep up with my reading goal. I've read every day, but sometimes it's only a page or two. I initially set a goal of 25 books for 2024, but I'm only at 11 books with November almost over. It doesn't look promising that I'll finish 25 books by the end of December.

Last year, I was at 17 out of 25 books in early November and ultimately completed my 25-book challenge for 2023 (see post). I finished 2023 by listening to many audiobooks and reading shorter books. I'm not sure if I'll have enough time to catch up on my reading for 2024, especially being at only 11 out of 25 books.

I've enjoyed some great books this year. I recently finished "Goodbye, Butterfly: Murder, Faith and Forgiveness in a Small Kansas Town," which I found captivating. This book was written by my friend Ernie Webb III from Washburn University. It was Ernie's first book, and I think he did an excellent job. The book kept me engaged and interested until the end.

My plan is to find a few audiobooks to listen to and tackle a few more books from my target list. However, I don't think I can fit in 14 books between now and December 31st. We'll see, though, and I'll enjoy the process.

I hope you are enjoying a challenge of your own whether it be reading, exercise, or exploring the great outdoors. 

The 2024 Election: A Night of Dread and Uncertainty

Election Night and Wine

With many months of buildup of texts, emails, commercials, and rallies, the 2024 election is finally over. Oddly enough, almost a week later, I'm still receiving texts and email messages asking for money. Okay, time to stop with the texts and emails. Carrie and I spent election night flipping between Fox, CNN, CNBC, BBC, and PBS to watch the various reports. I think my favorite channel to watch for election night was the BBC.

I stayed up late watching the returns, but by 9 or 10 PM, it was clear what was happening. I went to bed around 11 or 11:30 PM and then woke up around 3 AM as I couldn't sleep. I checked the news and found that Trump had won.

The wine was good, but the night of the returns, not so much. If it's not clear, I voted for Harris and did not want another four years of Trump. I thought Trump was a disaster in his first term, and I think the next four years are going to be worse. Trump made a lot of promises over the past few months leading up to the election, and if he carries out even one or two of those promises (e.g., deporting undocumented migrants, changes in the economy with taxes and tariffs on imports, etc.), we will be in a very different America in four years.

I'm frightened by the names of people Trump has said will be part of his cabinet. Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are at the top of the list. From everything I've read and watched of RFK Jr., he sounds like a nut job. Yet, Trump said in various rallies that RFK Jr. will lead the Department of Health and Human Services. This seems like an odd choice and not something to "Make America Great Again." Elon Musk and RFK Jr. are interesting selections from Trump, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

Carrie asked me what I wanted written on my glass for election night, and I told her "nervous." I remain nervous about where our country will be over the next four years. I think it's going to be a bumpy four years with Trump as President. Time will tell, and history will tell the story long after his presidency is over, but that's my feeling as we head into the second term of a Trump presidency.

Happy New Year 2024 and a Look Back at Past Haverty NYE Celebrations

Carrie and I in NYE 2001

As we look toward 2024, I think back to past New Years Eve celebrations. The picture to the right is from 2001 with Shayne and Autumn. Carrie and I were dating at the time and went to celebrate the end of 2001 and the start of 2002 with Shayne and Autumn. I recall that Carrie was sick that night with a fever and not feeling well at all. She went to bed early leaving Autumn, Shayne, and I to ring in the New Year. Carrie reminds me that I kept going into the room we were staying and letting her know we were having fun, could smell some type of spirit on my breath, and then finally I went into let her know that the upstairs toilet would no longer work. I will leave it at that and note that Shayne and I had to go out and get a plunger to start the New Year of 2002. Good times!

While we lived in Lawrence, we had some epic New Years Eve celebrations where we had people sleeping on the floor in various rooms where ever they could find a spot to sleep. Unfortunately, we do not have a lot of pictures, if any, from those celebrations. A lot of good memories though from various parties one including Brenda taking around "shots" that was beer and laughing while she offered "shots" to the party goers. So much fun and good memories of those parties.

New Years Eve 2007

On New Years Eve 2007, I have good memories of spending the end of 2007 with my family in Lawrence. We grilled steaks, drank a lot of wine, and even made Irish Coffee at some point during the evening. The picture to the left is Dad, Jerry, and I outside cooking, telling stories, and drinking wine while we cooked. 

Our game of choice was Rook which I had introduced Carrie to playing when we were dating. The whole family played and we have many good memories of staying late on work nights to finish up a game before heading home. 

Dad Trying CPAP NYE 2007

Carrie and I had recently moved to Topeka, so we made a trip into Lawrence to spend with Mom, Dad, and family to ring in the new year. I had recently been fitted with a CPAP machine and for some reason, we broke it out on New Years Eve 2007 for my Dad and Mom to try out. I recall my Dad was still questioning how it worked and how I would sleep with it on my head. Eventually, Dad would get one himself but never liked it and I am not sure really ever gave it a chance. Still, we all tried it on before we started playing games and drinking wine through the evening.

The next morning, as we do almost every year on New Years Day, we would have Hoppin' John that my Mom had told me about when I was little. We have had Hoppin' John just about every year Carrie and I have been together on New Years Day. The short of the meaning behind Hoppin' John is that it brings luck for the next year and then greens along with Hoppin' John can bring wealth for the upcoming year. A little hot sauce and it was excellent to eat on New Years Day and a few days after as it is always suggested to make a lot so you have leftovers.

NYE 2011

In 2011, we had a small party at our home with friends. Scott, Robin, Brenda, Carrie and I celebrated the end of 2011 and the new year of 2012. We watched movies in the living room, played games, and a few drinks to end the year and celebrate the new year of 2012.

Some of our New Years Eve celebrations have been Carrie and I spending a quiet evening at home, grilling, drinking wine, and hanging out with Oliver. We have had NYE celebrations where we are with small groups and large groups. I do not believe we have ever been out on the town for a big New Years Eve celebration with large groups of people. I prefer to be home or at a home to bring in the New Year. I am not sure why, but prefer to bring with a large group at some event space.

NYE 2019

New Years Eve 2019 we threw a big party at our home with family and friends. Little did we know it would be the last time we could all be together as COVID 2020 hit early in 2020. We had a good time celebrating the end of 2019 and 2020 starting the next day. It seems like so long ago as I look back and reflect on our fun that night. Games were played, drinks were had, and a lot of fun by all.

Last year, Carrie and I were in Houston, TX to ring in the New Year. We stayed a few days with Corrie and rang in the New Year at her home. I recall all the fireworks that went off in her neighborhood. It was impressive as I recall walking outside after midnight to smell gun powder in the air.

We look to 2023 coming to an end on Sunday, December 31, 2023. For 2024, I look forward to doing a whole lot more camping this year. I did a fair amount of traveling in 2023 which was good and I hope we can keep the traveling in 2024 at a high level too.

Happy New Year to you and your family.