I’ve been thinking of what to write these last few days of 2018. Some weird cycles ended 10 years ago (or began to end), and I thought I might do a comparision. Then versus now. Then I’ve realized I’ve beaten that dead horse until it’s barely recognizable (go back and read any/all of my posts relating to my divorce).
So instead, I want to look back on this year. The good stuff, and some of the bad.
January – I started building my touring bike. Early in
February – Still working on the touring bike. It was rideable in February!
The Parkland shooting happened on Valentine’s Day. Two days later a shooting happened across the street from the school I work at, and two students were injured (not fatally).
March – I took the bike on it’s first fully loaded voyage in March, up to Starkey Park Wilderness Preserve. I realized I needed to make some gear and frame adjustments from this trip.
I got a new tattoo, based in part by the song “Born” by Over the Rhine. “Laugh through my tears, love without fear.”
I marched with colleagues and students in the March for Our Lives.
April – I officially turned 40!
I considered buying an old Airstream to live in. I decided against it.
May – Only a month from the big bike tour! My bike got some last minute
I went on a weekend yoga adventure at Hillsborough River State Park.
June – Well, it would take too long to repost about the bike trip. If you go searching in the June posts you can read all about it (here’s the link to the first one to get you started). Short story: It was hard. It was wonderful. It was beautiful. I learned a lot. I challenged myself in a lot of ways…
July – I recovered from my bike trip. (i.e. I slept a lot.)
Friends and I rode bikes between a couple of the gorgeous, Florida springs. Kasy and I saved a dog that escaped from an SUV that flipped on the Interstate.
I got my first mammogram.
August – School started back up. I tried to do a partial bike commute to work, but made it too long. I faltered with trying to find a new place to park my car…
September – Looking back on old blog posts, mostly I was acclimating to getting back to work. I locked myself out of my car one day. Then the next day my battery was dead so I called in.
Kavanaugh was nominated for the Supreme Court position. (barf)
October – A lady driving an SUV T-boned my little Yaris. So that was fun.
But I also got a new-to-me car that seems to be working out quite well.
November – I camped in Big Cypress State Park over Thanksgiving Break. It was nice to enjoy the peace and quite. I got my fix for campfires. Didn’t quite get my fix for stars, because of the full moon.
After camping I went for a nice visit with my mom and uncle in Fort Lauderdale for Thanksgiving. We took a train down to Miami.
December – December’s left me struggling with the holidays. I was a bit ‘bah humbug’ earlier. I sort of got into the holiday spirit by the end.
I’ve been riding my bike more and on longer trips, feeling out how much my still-healing body can take. I’m still in pain, but it feels good to move too.
With Christmas money, I bought a new-to-me desk. I was using a very small desk I got for free. I love having a bigger
And now it’s New Year’s Eve. I’m typing this with mint tea nearby. I’ve got plans for movie watching, writing, drawing, creating. I might shave my head… (Something I’ve been thinking of doing for awhile, but have been chickening out of. But I just watched Black Panther last night. Those badass ladies are giving me confidence.)
Wherever you are, whatever you are doing on this December 31, may future days bring you