A Pretty Good Year
2006 has been a pretty shitty year, if all you think about is cancer and money and grim stuff like that. But it was also a pretty wonderful year, in many many ways. This afternoon I was looking through a bunch of photos, and I decided to make a list of some of the really good, happy things that happened this year.
I tell you what: I've had hell of a lot worse years than that.
- I lifted weights:
- I learned how to fight:
- I took a figure drawing class:
- I learned how to wear a beret:
- I went to the Mardi Gras:
- I rode in a chicken run:
- I danced:
- And I danced:
- And I danced:
- I went for walks in the woods:
- I made a beautiful garden:
- I went swimming with friends:
- I visited the Portland Rose Garden:
- I attended a wedding in a donut shop:
- I climbed the highest mountain peak in my state:
- I hung out with talented people:
- I hung out with strong people:
- I picked figs in my back yard:
- I rode around with the top down:
- I watched a Night-Blooming Cirrus open:
- I bought myself wicked red shoes:
- I was given a magnificent painting:
- I enjoyed lots of good food:
- I rode a champion Peruvian Paso horse:
- I drew self portraits with crayons:
- I taught myself how to knit:
- I started making plans to build my ultimate dream cottage:
I tell you what: I've had hell of a lot worse years than that.
posted by Lymphopo at Tuesday, December 19, 2006
27 Comments:
Through you I did all those things too, so you made this person so happy, gave me so much pleasure for all these moments peeking into your life, and really really, smelling the roses. And I travelled. I travelled. I heard the music and I danced.
Thank you.
You might say that you aren't a trouper, that you are sick of hearing "buck up" and "hang in there" and how much of a f-ing trouper you are. Maybe so. But you have moxie, with or without cancer, you have some incredible life force. I think it's HEALTHY to be pissed and disappointed and frustrated and sick and miserable and lonely and sad and all the other stuff that doesn't go with "trouper". Because if you aren't, you're shoving it somewhere, and that ain't right either. Thanks for sharing it all. You so rock.
Wow! Your year in review pictures make me want to trade lives with you .... ummm, except for that little cancer thing. But I'm sure you'll get over that little hurdle in no time so that I can go back to being totally jealous of your life. You have had a great year (for the most part).
Correct me if I'm wrong, but is your designated driver the same man who used to be Granny's painter?
Love ya, Liz!
is your designated driver the same man who used to be Granny's painter?
Damn guy really gets around, doesn't he?
Did the dogs help with the learning to knit or are they merely passive by-sitters? I love the vibrancy of the colors of your year.
a love your ability to see the bright side and humor in everything. finding that you were writing again is the coolest virtual christmas present ever!
you are awesome
I laughed at the red shoes bit, especially the sign.
It is good to laugh!
Laugh. I forgot that one. Everytime I see those little dogs I laugh outloud. They are so endearing, sweet and funny, my fav being the pool pictures.
Liz if you want to make some money by making cards of these doggies, I'd buy. The life and times of Dixie Rae and friend.
Hmmm. Maybe a series of greeting cards featuring Dixie Rae enthusiastically humping her stuffed bear, Mr. Bingles?
{LOL}
A big "Bravissima!" to you for finding something -- lots of things -- positive about this year. I'm convinced a positive attitude goes a long way in improving health. I didn't know you were so talented: knitting, drawing, painting, gardening, everything!
You have such lovely pictures in your year end wrap up! Again, thank you so much for sharing your world with us/me...you give me the inspiration to have bigger dreams...and to actually try and do something about them!
Also, I am a beginning knitter myself, and I know you mentioned that you were a tad sick of the scarf action. Have you ever tried crocheting? It's pretty easy to do, and you can be a lot more free form - eg, you can make a crocheted taco. Which strikes me as funny, but could be quite the opposite to you...you can see a pic of it on this blog: http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/archives/2005/05/stich_n_bitch_n_1.php
or see the blog of the actual taco crochet-er here: http://ellenbloom.blogspot.com/2006/12/brandi-crochets.html
The beret + Cho shirt is fab. As are you! Keep us posted on the ultimate dream cottage.
Just a lurker passing through...
What a magnificent year! Thanks for the reminder to LIVE while we are here.
holy shit, I just found you through twisty. I had no idea you had a blog again, and I have no idea precisely why I'm so happy about finding it & you again, but I really, really am. may next year's list be even better.
That is a rich year.
i love all the colors, so much.
Dr. Leda,
I was so happy that Regans provided your blog addy. I've missed you. You are an amazing woman with tremendous gifts. Thanks for sharing all of them.
I wish you all good things, mostly a speedy recovery. You definitely have the courage and strength and sense of humor locked up. Keep it up, one day at a time.
California gal and Louisiana grandma.
Ahem. Crocheter? www.knitty.com has a knitted UTERUS.
Take that.
You did some great things this year. I love the red shoes and the bumper sticker saying "Well-behaved women seldom make history." Very cool.
OH MY GOD.
You're back.
OMG.
Ok, I'm done now.
Sorry.
I can't believe I've stumbled across you! I was a lurker who was quite sad when you discontinued your previous blog. I did try gentle detective-like stalking of your son's blog, but that didn't turn you up, and now, here you are! I linked tonight (I think) via I Blame The Patriarchy. Or perhaps it was one link removed from the mighty Twisty.
I just would like to chime in and say, Wow! You have had an awesome year! Except, of course, for that big caveat of bankruptcy and cancer. But going through your pictorial list of your year, well, it helped me to remember all the lovely things that have happened in mine, too.
You are awesome. I wish you the very very best, and great luck and skill in sending those lymphoma cells a-scurrying to their swift-yet-controlled apoptosis.
SoozeZ in Portland
Well my big effort for 2006 seems to have been to start smoking again. After 15 years of not. Thou you did take up knitting...
Should you ever consider crochet, don't tell us. Definitely something best done in secrecy.
What a fabulous post! You've had a pretty full year!
You've inspired me, and I am going to do my own year in review. I'm so glad to hear your voice again!
A beautiful list. Congratulations.
Just so you know, the wedding in the donut shop made me want to move to Portland.
Also, I said it then and I'll say it now: if Designated Driver's plant ever makes any, or even if it doesn't and you have to get it somewhere else, I hope you get to taste the fruit of the night-blooming cereus sometime. Something else to look forward to.
I am enjoying your posts so much. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I aspire to have as much courage as you, and I envy your wry sense of humor and way with words.
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