Between war in Ukraine and Gaza, climate change, homelessness, and the impending demise of democracy in the United States, your intrepid newsletter writer wasn’t really feeling the holiday spirit this year. But, to quote one of our favorite movies (Galaxy Quest), “Never Give Up, Never Surrender”. (And another favorite quote, “Look, I have one job on this lousy ship. It’s stupid, but I’m going to do it, okay?”, which also seems apropos.) So in that spirit, here it is, the Kessler Holiday Newsletter for 2023. And this year, with color commentary (in italics) from Marion too!
First and foremost (and after that upbeat opening), let me say that our favorite parts of 2023 were when Tucker the Tacoma Tornado and his side kick, the nose-crinkling explorer Jasper (and their parents, especially our game nights after kiddos have retired) came to visit. Nothing but pure joy. Well, and exhaustion. Kids are tough and fantastic. Tucker is 3 and in constant motion and full of imagination. Jasper is 1, a sweet observer (he likes to imitate motions and expressions), a musical guy (very interested in that keyboard) and very chill but loves to find things to open and things to take out or put into that container. He’s almost talking and we can’t wait to hear what he has to say. Tucker is a great lover of Matchbox cars (which luckily we have many of) and trains – he enjoys chatting about Bart’s display of train cars and dinosaurs, which we also have many of and hide around the house for him to find when he visits. On the last visit, he and Daniel hid them for us before they left, and we loved coming across them (it feels like a virtual hug – I also like to find fingerprints on the windows and stray cheerios :.). Visit memories.
We continue to walk every day, rain or shine or gloom of night, in an effort to remain upright and mobile (and in order to keep up with the grand kids). We are quite proud of ourselves and secretly lord it over other people of our advanced age who don’t. (I don’t lord it over anyone, just saying… and we know that it isn’t the *most* aerobic or efficient exercise but we are consistent – some would say predictable and possibly boring but that is our way… Consistent sustained effort, baby!)
We got out and about a fair amount this year after a few years of COVID isolation. In February we visited some good friends in Palm Springs after many years of threatening to do so. As is our way when attempting to find sunshine in mid-winter, we brought cool temperatures with us, so no pool time for Marion. But the sun was out and it was glorious. We get a bit starved for sun come February around these parts. (I may be part lizard… I love to just sit and soak in the sun…)
In April we had a quick visit to Zion and Bryce National Parks on a side trip from a visit to Marion’s family in Las Vegas. Our daily walking quite literally saved us from certain death at the bottom of Bryce Canyon. After a day of hiking in Zion and getting ourselves down to the bottom of Bryce Canyon, it was definitely touch and go whether we would make it back up. But we did (Yaaas! We! Did!) (barely in my case anyway) with some invocation of the Never Give Up Never Surrender mantra as I recall. Bit by bit we inched our way to the top where we celebrated with JOY! We bit our tongues and did not say anything to the families carrying babies (um, are you very strong? Hope so) in backpacks or the man carrying his oxygen tank(!) with him who we met coming down on our way back up. (In my head I was screaming – “Bring snacks and extra water! There is no elevator!) Vaya con Dios. (After that trip, I was happy to receive birthday walking poles for our next hike of that type… We shall continue to adventure but it is time to lower my tripping danger. I don’t want to bother the National Park Service employees so they continue to have time to post excellent things on Instagram – follow them!)
In June we traveled to Carmel for Marion’s 45th high school reunion. (Dancing opportunity? Sign me UP!) The culmination of months of work on her part, working with the person ‘in charge’ of the event, whose primary contributions were ineptitude, incorrect information and general ‘where’s my shiv?’ inducing behavior. I work to keep my stabbing behavior in check. But Marion, and other dedicated classmates (thanks to those last-minute saviors) made it happen and a good time was had by all. (My favorite contribution was the organization of a celebration of alumni creativity/art/craft… Woo Hoo!) Marion drove down stopping at donut shops and enjoying hotel pools and flew back and Bart flew down and drove back taking the opportunity to spend 4 days exploring northern California and picture taking on the way home which he enjoyed very much.
Daniel and Bart made their annual trek for baseball. This time to Cleveland. With a stop at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a side trip to Canton to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Only 3 more stadiums to go!
In September we took a road trip to Ellensburg, Washington, a small town east of the mountains and within reasonable driving distance of Tacoma, that we gave the once over as a possible retirement spot. It got a definite ‘maybe’. But we’re still on the lookout for the perfect spot. Awesome brunch restaurant (rice and raisins… OMG! Fresh biscuits!) a bookstore with cats and a terrific local museum…
We (by which I mean Marion) hosted a large family gathering at the house for Thanksgiving for the first time in a while – Bart did a *lot* for this event including wrangling a sickly kitty. Several family members pitched in with spectacular side dishes, desserts, and a *really* good punch. The food was great, the sun was out, it (food) all came out warm at the right time, we found room for everyone at the table, and the company was wonderful. Sadly, the 49ers steamrolled the Seahawks. But other than that… Our grandsons provided entertainment – balloons and “Uncle Scotty” were major HITS!
We also try to get out to some live events, risking death from COVID and God knows what else, but hey, you only live once. Some theater, the symphony, some lectures, TedX (fantastic, as usual – great musical guest Thunderstorm Artis) and especially stand-up comedy. It helps keep the worries of the world at bay. Favorites include: “Full Monty”, Kathleen Madigan (comic), John Heffron (comic), “Six”, The Jefferson (high school) Dancers, “Something Rotten”. Maria Bamford (comic), Neal Brennan (comic), Chad Daniels (comic).
Bart is semi-retired. Although his company is not aware of that. There’s sort of a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that’s in place. They don’t ask for much. He doesn’t do anything extra. The company’s operational model is 20 people telling 3 people what to do, followed by 10 people reviewing and approving, or not, and telling you how you should have done it in the first place. It’s a marvel of efficiency that makes Congress look like a well-oiled machine. For now, it remains tolerable and pays for health care (which we are increasingly in need of). But don’t be surprised if by next year’s letter Bart is more fully retired.
And despite the fact that Bart is the one with the job, Marion is the one actually working. She volunteers at a thrift store in Scappoose, the ‘clothes closet’ at the school district office (which provides donated clothes to kids), the middle school and elementary school libraries – putting her sorting superpowers to work (where they eye her with suspicion – do you have a student here?), and as the moderator of the Battle of the Books at the elementary school. Bart… does not do any volunteering, despite his ample free time, balancing Marion’s yeoman efforts to help the world with a corresponding drain on society. Gotta keep things in balance. Although he does donate to the Red Cross who chase after him like vampires for his O-positive blood. (They call… daily? I feel like it is daily…)
What does Bart do with his free time? Puzzles. Wordle, Phrazle, the New York Times Spelling Bee, and the daily New York Times crossword puzzle among others. All this in an effort to keep his mind sharp so he can keep the electronics functional (no mean feat – OMG!) and continue to write clever newsletters (and books for his grandchildren and SAFE Worldwide).
Marion, the donut connoisseur, has determined that the best donuts in the area are in Oregon City. Is it a 45-minute drive? Yes. Each way? Yes. Do we go most weekends? Damn right we do! There’s a great Philly cheesesteak place nearby too so it’s a kill two birds with one stone operation which somewhat makes up for the egregious consumption of fossil fuel. It may ultimately prove to be the justification for buying a hybrid or electric vehicle.
Tyke the cat is still with us. I think mostly to spite us at this point since it makes it hard to travel or rent that villa in Mexico for a month. He has mellowed a bit, which means he only bites Marion every month or so instead of weekly. He daily rejects foods he has eaten previously, just to keep things “interesting”… d’oh. And he still has the wherewithal to chase the deer and any visiting kitties – including “Big Head Fred” out of ‘his’ yard when they come to visit. When the grandchildren visit, he has been relegated to our bedroom “spa” since he will actively attack them… NO THANK YOU! He ain’t afraid of nobody. He should be afraid of Abuela if he messes with those grandboys… very afraid. We’ve already discussed the shiv. LOL
Well, that’s about it. As always, to all our Christian friends, Merry Christmas. To all our Jewish friends, Happy Hanukkah. To all our grinchy and scroogy friends, Bah Humbug. To all our pagan, druid and wiccan friends, Happy Solstice. To all our atheist friends, Happy Day Off. And to everyone else, happy whatever it is you believe or do. We don’t judge.
Peace, love, and joy everyone and here’s to a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2024! Find those moments of joy and beauty – savor them as we intend to do!