Happy 2024!

Raging forest fires across Canada. The continuing conflict in Ukraine and the massacring in Gaza. The polarization of politics and the seeming rise of Fascism around the world. The growing climate crisis. 

And the pandemic is still ongoing.

There is a lot of news this year that makes it a challenge to stay positive, but I'll do my best.

Here's to peace, joy, and better things in 2024.

Thank you for following my blog. I don't know what the future holds but I hope to continue entertaining and delighting you. From my family to yours, Happy New Year!

Be awesome!

Here's to 2023

When 2022 came to an end, I initially thought, "Thank goodness that year's over."

After all, the pandemic is still going strong, despite a lack of government concern. I caught COVID, twice, and I think that my long-term health is still suffering. I often wonder when I'll eventually start to feel like my old self, if ever at all.

But 2022 wasn't all that bad. DW and I did get to spend some quality time with friends—mostly outside, and masked when we were around the general public.

DW and I also did some travelling: Mexico in February and Portugal in September. Both of these trips were fabulous and we'll carry memories for the rest of our lives. We were thrilled to be anywhere, given the past two years (yes, I know, we were in Cuba in December of 2021, and it was safer there than it was in Canada, given their strict requirements, versus our seemingly lax policies).

We're planning another couple of trips in 2023: one, which will take place in just a few weeks. Stay tuned.

What does 2023 have in store? Only time will tell but I hope that the pandemic comes under better control and that people will do their best to keep themselves and others safe from infection.

I have hope but, knowing people, no great expectations.

What about you? What's on your agenda? What are your hopes? Leave a comment (but please, no links!).

May you find joy and wonder in the coming year.

Cheers!

Yes, I've used this photo before. It took the whole family to shoot this image.
I'm gettin' my money's worth!

It's 2019

When I was in my teens, I listened to a lot of rock music, now considered Classic Rock. Led Zeppelin, Yes, and The Who were heavy in my rotation.

I remember listening to "My Generation" and singing along, belting out the line, "Hope I die before I get old." back then, to me, old was 37. I disregarded what Dennis, in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," said:

"I'm 37. I'm not old."

To me, at 15 or 16, or 17, 37 was old. Another 20 or so years longer was far too long a life. And that would be, like, in 2002. That was too far in the future for my teenage mind to comprehend.

And now here we are, at the start of 2019, and I wonder what the coming year holds. Another federal election for us in Canada; with any luck, an impeachment in the U.S. The way the world is working these days, I don't hold out much hope for humanity.

But I hope to hold my loved ones close, to be with family and friends as much as possible. If we can all do that, then maybe we can cast a bright spot over all of the dark shadows.

Happy New Year, and here's hoping for a bright 2019.

Rock on!

A New Year

I'd like to take this brief opportunity to thank you for following The Brown Knowser and I wish you and your loved ones all the best for 2018.