Looking Forward, Looking Back: A Year in Review

 

Happy New Year! As we bid farewell to 2024 and welcome 2025, I extend my warmest wishes for a year filled with adventure, good health, and peace.

Looking back on 2024, I'd like to highlight some of the year's memorable events. Our camping trip to Texas in February was truly unforgettable. I hope we have the opportunity to return there someday (see post). 

In April, we took Oliver to his first Royals game, and we all had a blast. I think Oliver enjoyed himself immensely, especially with all the other dogs around. (see post). 

We set a goal of attending many concerts this year, and I believe we achieved it. We saw The Mavericks (see post) in May, Chris Stapleton in June (see post), Air Supply in July (see post), and Alan Jackson in October (see post). We also enjoyed several other concerts, including a fantastic performance by Dar Williams in November. I'm looking forward to attending more concerts in 2025.

In October, I attended the King Biscuit Blues Festival and had a wonderful time (see post). We onlywent camping three times this year, which is fewer than in previous years. However, the Texas trip was so enjoyable that we did manage to venture out to western Kansas (see post) and Missouri (see post) for some additional camping adventures. I'm hoping to do more camping in 2025 and explore some locations outside of the state.

We also made a second trip to Des Moines, Iowa in November for a weekend getaway (see post). Sadly, just this week, we remembered the tenth anniversary of my father's passing, which occurred on December 30, 2024 (see post). 

Finally, the elections took place in November, and the incoming administration is poised to serve a second term. There are undoubtedly many questions and uncertainties surrounding this period, and while I hope for the best for our country, a sense of apprehension is undeniable (see post). 

This is just a brief overview of some of the highlights from my blog this year. I truly enjoy writing these weekly posts and appreciate the readers who take the time to visit my site. I plan to continue writing at least once a week and hope to incorporate more technology and political commentary into my posts in 2025.

Happy New Year! Stay safe and have a fantastic year ahead.

July Coming to an End, Heat, and Looking forward to Cooler Weather

It is really hard to believe that it is August. Where did the summer go? We did a lot over the summer. We started camping, worked on getting in shape (sorta), we went on vacations, and got things done around the house. Sometimes we pack so much into a summer that it makes the summer go by that much faster where if we had nothing planned maybe the summer would drag. But that would not be any fun at all, so we cram as much as we can into the summer to get as much as possible done over the summer months. It is what makes the summer fun and also go by so quickly.

Technically, summer does not end until September 22, but when August ends, that's when it starts feeling to me like summer is over. I can remember as a kid gong to the lake well into September and enjoying the water, tubing, water skiing, etc., but still, in my head, it feels as though the end of July and summer is coming to an end. Granted, I could say that for the end of August too as grade schools are back in full session, but I think for me it feels like summer is over thinking back to when I was a kid and end of July meant school was starting.

Like our dog, Oliver, when it is so hot, staying inside is a must. When I have been outside and back in the house, I just want to lay around and do nothing. So, while I am sad to see summer gradually come to an end, I am happy to know that cooler weather is behind the change and we will start the whole process again where I can look forward to summer again next year.

I hope you have had a great summer! Hopefully you were able to do a vacation over the summer months or have a vacation planned as we come down to the end of the summer months. What is your favorite time of the year and where do you live?

Until next time, have a great week!