The Year in Review

2008 was quite a year. It began with one of my major storage shuffles. We got shelves for the old shed and my intent was to “organize” things such that I could find something when I wanted to. I’ve been shuffling things all year but the basic task which began the year worked for the most part.

The next important event was a trip to Jacksonville and High Springs for a number of reasons. I went to see Spamalot. We helped K&T to prepare for their Oscar party. Jack had a birthday party. We got to see C&C.

My doctor made a medical breakthrough in February and “cured” my chronic butt pain with a shot of muscle relaxer and a regimen of Prednisone. My butt is still OK so that visit improved my quality of life.

March saw Penny’s birthday and the 19000 step day of the river run—which I walked with the pleasant company of Christy.

C&C visited us at Easter time and shortly thereafter my brother Lou stayed with us for 3 weeks. While he was here I dusted off my Jonboat and trolling motor and went fishing with him. I haven’t used the boat or fished since. Maybe 2009 will bring more fishing.

Karen and Sophie came over in April and we found out Sophie didn’t like to wear sunglasses.

Penny and I ran off to Port St Joe to explore and take pictures. It turned out to be nice but not worth the long drive to see too often.

Our first big trip was to Las Vegas. This was my second trip there and I didn’t gamble on either of them. Las Vegas was picturesque and unique. It is a glaring juxtaposition of water and lush gardens set in the middle of a desolate desert landscape. It was a great trip.

I discovered my own private blackberry patch accessible only by kayak and brought home a few pints of blackberries over the next couple of months.

After catching 2 cats, Velcro and Meredith, in my “raccoon” trap I finally honed my trapping skills and caught the first of 4 raccoons that were devouring the cats’ food.

I went through a period with health issues—sore thumbs and a bad cold before catching raccoon #2, Rocky. I actually caught Rocky twice. He escaped the first time by lifting the sliding trap door. I had to modify the door to latch shut.

Penny found a great bike for me on Craig’s list and we got Penny a small kayak from Academy Sports and a new bicycle in the same trip to Pensacola. Shortly thereafter I got kayak racks and a bike rack, which meant we could travel anywhere with 3 kayaks and 2 bicycles loaded on the CRV (if we wanted to).

We settled in to a period of biking, kayaking and doing stuff at home. I lost my favorite outside kitty, Bianca. I planted a vegetable garden and gathered some more blackberries.

I caught raccoon #3 with relative ease. I was beginning to feel like a real woodsman.

I got caught up in a Woot-off and bought a new desktop computer with a 1TB hard drive and TV tuner. That was followed by a 24” monitor.

I got into another storage shuffle and made some temporary storage on the side of the house—which I’m still using.

It was now time for my once every few years trip to the emergency room with chest pain cause by indigestion.

Summer began and our home air conditioner ended. My computer acted up at the same time due to a window’s update. Finally the water line to our house broke, fortunately before the water meter.

July’s highlight was a trip to Jacksonville for Sophie’s\’s 1st birthday party.

August found us in Montana for a week of beautiful scenery and lots of wildlife—oh, and a couple thousand pictures.

We celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary.

Lou came back to the area and stayed in Niceville until December. I saw him every couple weeks for lunch and conversation.

My tomato crop was a complete failure.

Hurricane Ike passed us by out in the Gulf and kicked up our surf to 10-15 ft waves.

I kayaked Turkey Creek for the first time.

Penny and I spent 14 enjoyable days at Debbie’s Vermont cabin. We saw what will probably be the best display of fall color. The trees were “on fire” with color this year.

Late October found me catching raccoon #4. Penny and I celebrated the 39th anniversary of the day we met.

I went to the 35th reunion of my fraternity and caught up with a bunch of old friends who, before the reunion were still 20 year olds in my head.

Penny got me a new camera for my 60th birthday—yes 60th. I tried it out for the first time with a beachwalk. We celebrated my, Karen’s and Christy’s birthdays at a Boca di Bipo(sp?) restaurant in Brandon.

Our whole family gathered in FWB for Thanksgiving.

I built a bathroom cabinet for C&C and Penny delivered it to them for their open house.

We spent Christmas in Jacksonville. Sophie made everybody feel special. I know she touched me in a heartwarming manner by smiling and saying granpa when she saw me. We went home by way of High Springs to see C&C and Penny cooked an Italian dinner for everyone.

Yesterday I got a new table saw for the shop and took my last beachwalk of the year. Mother Nature provided a beautiful sunset.

Today I find myself having gone full circle for I am again doing a storage shuffle. I’m setting up the shop for the new saw.

All in all 2008 was a very good year for me. The pain in my butt, my thumbs and my foot have all been put at manageable levels. We did many things. We are not just sitting around watching TV in our retirement. Penny and I are enjoying each day together.

Here’s to a happy 2009.