Issue #28, Remembering 2005

On a Trail in the Mountains


 

I for one am happy to see 2005 go.  Not that anything drastic happened to my family over the year, but my baby daughter, "Kat",  (OK she's 24 years old now and definitely not much of a baby anymore) was sent into the war zone aboard a Navy supply ship.  She's now back home and honorably discharged from military duty, and I'm breathing a little better. 

The national and international events we've watched happen this year were frustrating to say the least, but things are looking brighter for now.  2005 was an odd year (odd years end in 1,3,5,7,9, remember???), and in more ways then it's number.  Now that it's past, we have a new beginning with 2006, and I for one am full of hope and dreams. 

So to end the year, I have some images to share below.  they are without much continuity to one another, except for the fact they were taken in 2005.  They are fond memories, shared with you this last day of the year.  They are not all my memories, but they are what I have quickly found as I sit in my office, desperately trying to get one last entry onto my web pages before the clock strikes midnight. LOL!!!

Enjoy my last thoughts of 2005, and may your new year be full of happy images and prosperity!

I retired from my university position in January of 2005.  It was a good thing, as my job was changing and I knew there was a good chance I'd be "pink slipped" sooner or later.  Retiring was also a bad thing because my bills did not retire with me!   I was able to find a part-time consulting and production position just beyond the field in the above scenic.  I work for a publishing company on this property.  Not a bad place to spend my days!

We were able to get away on a summer vacation.  Here's a picture of me in Norway.  Norway, Michigan, that is.....  I didn't get the chance to visit the land of my grandparents this year, so we took a trip to Illinois and Michigan to see family.  We did a little long route traveling from Lower Michigan through the Upper Peninsula and down the length of Wisconsin to Illinois so Nancy could say she went across the Mackinac Bridge and other places we always miss while visiting relatives back in the Midwest.

While traveling through Wisconsin, we had to stop in Green Bay.  Nan is a die-hard Packers fan so we just had to see Lambeau (spelling?) Field.  (I'm a Chicago Bears fan, what do I know.....) We were somehow able to find a Packers T-shirt for sale at a local store (gee, who would have thought.... LOL) and took some fun pictures of Nan trying out for the team.  Unfortunately we didn't encounter any scouting agents or coaches so she'll just have to sit out another season.  <giggle>

Other things I've been up to this past year:  One of my favorite hobbies and occupations is photography.  I've been experimenting with infrared black and white films, as well as my digital camera to create mystical-magical images of  faeries, goddesses, and valkyries.  My new year's resolution is to photograph more of these creatures and sell my images on ebay.  It's a fun job and someone has to do it!

Another thing I enjoy about living in the American Southwest is that there are a lot of cowboys living here too.  That means rodeo events most all the year.  Which is a good thing, as I need to get a bit more practice with my digital camera and  take better shots of cowpokes and livestock in these wild and crazy events!

I also want to get out more and photograph the beautiful, natural country I see here every day.  I guess my major resolutions for 2006 are obvious -- pursue my Visual Quest!  Happy New Year!