We took stuff down, but now I have a second string.

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I'm looking at the strand of Christmas lights that have been there since Dec. 2024 stretched across the top of some low bookcases under a picture window looking to the East Bay and figuring that a reply now to Good Riddance 2025 is almost timely for me.

I'm still around, same house, still on the pool committee at the nearby charitable org / lodge, & swimming more while not doing yoga at all and not much walking or hiking. Surprise, osteo arthritis can be in your feet and hips, not just hands.

Family that was alive 5 years ago is still alive, which is good. I'm the youngest of 4 by 8, 11, and 13 years, so age is coming for us all. The nephews are okay. Both of the musician's kids are into children's / youth theater; going to kid musicals is a 10 out of 10 on the fun & joyful scale.

I've been flying to Portland instead of driving the last several years, which is always fun. I rented a car and had several days at Breitenbush in the Cascades (first time there since fire took out most of the buildings), plus met up with a friend from Eugene (whose house along the Mackenzie River burned down in the same fire) who is even more into the McMenamin's passport thing than I am -- twice, we have driven to every McMenamin's from Portland to Bothell WA - all in 1 day once, and with a night over in Bothell once (they have a HUGE pool!).

I'm thoroughly enjoying the fandom on IG around Heated Rivalry. I'm amazed every time I read people who are not Buffistas using the word "AO3." I gather it's a fast growing index of stories.

I learned this year that I have total aphantasia, where you don't imagine images when you close your eyes. It never occurred to me that some people have actual / real images of characters or situations in their minds when they read, for example. I "see" in words, but it isn't really images. It continues to be interesting.

I think of you guys but don't come over to say hi, and I should. All my best wishes to all.

Oh hey, I ran across a spreadsheet and thought I'd tell you -- I'm the one who made all the pillowcases; about 30 to individual Buffistas. Most had self explanatory themes -- like baseball + music for David Smay, or teacups + mom to sj, or robots to Toni and dragonflies to Askye and Hello Kitty to Steph. Several Dr. Who fans. A few, people never posted about them, and I always wondered if they got the reference. Like, cereal box fabric for meara, the queen of serial, or pink gingham in remembrance of ita for the few who called themselves the pink gingham mafia. It was a lot of fun making them. Joanne's Fabrics is no more, yo - I couldn't do it now even if I wanted to. I hope they are getting used / were not tossed out.

Hey you! Bothell McMenamin's is the BEST. (I've been wondering how you are! <3 )

Oh hey, I ran across a spreadsheet and thought I'd tel you -- I'm the one who made all the pillowcases; about 30 to individual Buffistas.

That is so cool. I always wondered and thought it would always be a mystery.