NO PRESSURE, SJ!!! ;)

I can't remember whether I have told this story here before.

I was, I think, a fairly stereotypically avaricious little kid. If I saw a toy, I wanted it. I would beg my Dad for this toy and that toy, and the answer was always "No." But I learned that when I asked for some 3x5 cards, or a few sheets of typing paper, the answer was always "Yes." So I learned to make toys with them. Simple stuff, that didn't need special origami paper.

I never did graduate to the really complicated stuff. I leave that to the experts, but I enjoy the results. Like this guy, who was a Kickstarter perq: [link]

We had similar parents, dcp. Being the 3rd daughter new clothes weren't an option, but my mother would let me buy patterns and fabric anytime so I learned to sew quite well. Also, loved the snowflake origami, thank you!

ltc has been impossible with asking for things lately. And I’ve been sticking to no because it’s almost Christmas and she will be spoiled rotten.

Yes, thank you, dcp (butterfly), and smonster, and ND and Pix. They are totally a day brightener! I love having cards on the mantle representing this place. Makes me smile.

Mine are half done and going out tomorrow... pretty sure I missed the postal carrier today.

Recap of 2021 not quite ready yet. Also, technically, I'm on a call.

Here. And grateful to be so, and for you guys. Not doing a retro--leaving it in the dust. It's best that way.

dcp, I love my dragon fly! I had a brilliant mailday on Saturday: I received your card & a lovely surprise from hec.

My year: Cancer is definitely the surprise that nobody wants but I did realize that I have a community I can turn to for help & support - both my blinvisible internet friends & friends & family who are less remote.

I’m so glad that we have a sane president & I am trying not to listen too much to the “horse race” politics stuff this early on.

Went through a big pile of mail last night (as I'm starting to feel better, I'm trying to catch up on stuff I've been neglecting), and got lovely cards from Pix & ND, and dcp (I love the butterfly, dcp, so pretty!)

Doubt I will have a wrap-up this year. As stated above by the Lovely Bev, I'm just glad to still be here, and super-glad you guys are still here. (((You guys)))

I don't have much of a wrap-up, I don't think. For me, personally, 2021 was way better health wise than the previous two years, so I am grateful for that. We also moved to a new place that we love, and I'm gainfully employed again, part-time, rolling into full-time at some point next year, most likely. I'm seeing my friends and family again. It's good.

2021 was by no means a good year, but since 2020 was a whirling, swirling shit storm of death, house fires, depression, grief and isolation it was still a step up.

I did not feel more than a brief moment of relief after the 2020 election because I knew Trump and his fuckery enablers would pull some bullshit. I did not however expect the Jan. 6th insurrection. (That happened this year!) I have completely lost faith in a good chunk of my fellow Americans and I am getting that same queasy feeling as I see them lining up the theocratic autocracy they desire.

2021 - the ultimate equivocal year. Ambivalence reigns! Biden takes office! After QAnon fuckbags try to destroy the Republic! We got vaccinated! Except for idiotic vax resistance! The vaccines work brilliantly! The Pandemic isn't over and Omicron is surging! Biden has been a more progressive president than either Obama or Clinton! Those fuckers Sinema and Manchin! Pelosi pushes through the bill! Trump's SCOTUS picks dismantle Roe! Everything seems to be literally on fire except for the parts which are literally torn apart by tornadoes.

And so on. You read the news. I had hoped for a little more hope after Biden's win but now I'm wary.

Still. There were a lot of good things about 2021. The biggest plus for me was simply Matilda being able to return to in-person school and pull out of her isolation depression and form a new circle of friends. Another very good thing is that as JZ's father's estate has been distributed we're in better financial shape than we've ever been. We're house hunting in San Francisco which was beyond imagination two years ago. We have the means to help friends which is lovely.

We also have the means to travel for the first time in a long time and yet because 2021 insists on being itself, the pandemic thwarts plans to see friends and go abroad. For now anyway.

I turned 60 this year. My bout of sciatica two years ago turned out to be a useful wake-up call for me to attend to my health. So I lost weight, run the steps every weekday, have seen the dermatologist and am thinking about Pilates. I intend to do all the things that I can to maintain this frail mortal vessel so I'm upright and ambulatory.

I was in my thirties when I joined this community. Curious how a little niche corner of pop culture can blossom into one of the most enduring things in my life. I am grateful for you all.