TAP TAP TAP.. Is this thing on??

So it's the end of 2023.  Literally the last day.

It was a strangely busy, lazy, fun and sad year.

From a wonderful Florida wedding (not mine)/Disney World vacation, finding out I have some arthritis in my foot, seeing my beloved aunt for the last time, 

Let me talk about her for a bit.  She was amazing.  She was an elementary school teacher, active in her church, volunteered at the hospital, the local museum, was a member of the VFW, the local Audubon Society.  She had this book of North American birds and traveled all over to see new birds with her group.

She went all over the world (I have no idea how she did that on a teacher's salary in rural midwest).  She went to every continent including Antarctica. 

She went to Kenya twice.  The first time they got lost and search and rescue had to go find the group (do you know some places if you have to be rescued, you have to pay for it.)  The second time she broke her wrist. She still loved it.

She crewed a windjammer off the coast of Maine at least once.  That always sounded fun.  I regret never tagging along.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer about 15 years ago.  Went into remission.  It came back a few years later and became metastasized five years ago.  Liver, lungs.. it played ping pong.

She had four of those five years in pretty decent health. 

I went to see her in July and she went into hospice a week after I returned home and passed a few days after. 

Yes, she was my favorite aunt. I will miss her grin, her laughter, her love of birds, cats and her family.

~~~~OTHER BITS

I didn't get a ton of writing done this year, but I did manage about 20K during NaNoWriMo and a few lines here and there over Christmas break.

I managed 85 books this year, list over on my twitter  https://x.com/JPiperLee/status/1741663802955870299?s=20

I may post again about some of my favorites. 

I bought a new car after 12 years.  A hybrid, I like it, but it has SO MANY bells and whistles. LOL

And I learned how to crochet.  I may also post again with pictures of my adorable Woobles. 

Happy New Year.  I wish all good things in 2024.  XOXO