Life is Better on the Farm: 2025 IN RETROSPECT- AND YES, I’M LATE WRITING ABOUT IT

Boy, time flies!! Here I sit on a Friday afternoon in January, snow’s in the forecast, and I’m hunkered in as if there was a major storm on the way. Only 1-3” are predicted, but even that small amount allows me to feel like a night of knitting and listening to my new book is the best plan for the evening.

I’m feeling good about the past year. Of course, there were moments I wouldn’t want to relive, and losses over the last12 months really saddened my heart; however, all in all, I can say 2025 was a year of good memories and great adventures.

Family wise, I visited Samuel, Cait, and Winnie in Nashville in the spring and got to hang with them for a few days. We played, went to the park, and read books. At that point, Winnie was just under 18 months old - a favorite age for me. Samuel and Caitlin are very, very loving and attentive parents, as evidenced by Winnie’s growth and understanding of the world at that age. Several months later, Samuel unexpectedly went through a layoff at this job, leaving him to pound the pavement for something else. Luckily, in less than a month, he found employment parallel to that which he left, and life returned to normal for him.

(I knitted this sweater for Winnie, and it was none too big!)

Eliza and Alex worked all year getting things done around their house and yard - projects for which I hold them in great respect as first time homeowners. Their house and yard are spectacularly beautifully, and at Christmas this year, they were able to open their lending library in the corner of their yard, a project they initiated earlier in the year. Both of them are very handy with tools and paintbrushes; no project seems to overwhelm them. Alex and Eliza define a good, loving marriage. With their three cats, their loving friend group in Cincinnati, and their travels, they enjoy a life full of love and joy!

All the family was home in Boone for Christmas, and we had 4 wonderful days together. Myra and I were able to be in Boone a few days before the kids came in and had enjoyed visits with family and friends. The weather stayed tolerable, nobody was sick, and we hung out in love and laughter.

2025 Highlights

1. I got two little white kittens. I saw a post about them on Facebook, called Kara Seaman, Eliza’s riding teacher, and went right out to get them. I had been longing for some companionship in the house, unable to decide what animal I would want. I’ve always love white kittens, having had 5 before these girls. They are very, very active, and sometimes I go through two spray bottles a day as I discourage the from jumping on tables, chewing cords, and climbing up on chairs, curtains, etc. They’re named after Barney’s and Andy’s girlfriends in Mayberry - Thelma Lou and Helen - but I’ve taken to calling them Lulu and Ellie. Sweet, loving, mischievous, smart, curious, and energetic little hellions they are.

2. A super great highlight for our entire family is that grandbaby #2 is on the way in July. Caitlin and Samuel are expecting again. This was announced by Winnie when she walked into the house in a “big sister” sweater.

3. And the best time in my life in a LONG time was spending 11 days with Myra as we took a tour through Italy with Gate 1 Tours. In late August until early September, we explored the entire country, beginning in Venice and ending in Sorrento. Oh my, what a great experience!! We made wonderful friends, had succulent Italian food, and drank our fair share of wine and Aperol Spritzes.I had forgotten how I love Europe, European life, the beauty of ancient buildings and sites. From a gondola ride in Venice to an evening under Tuscan sun, to the beauty of the Vatican, to a boat ride around Capri, every moment provided wonderful experiences and memories I’ll never forget. I do believe I could live in Italy, I certainly want to go back and explore. And Myra’s the best traveling partner a person could have. We plan on more adventures together in the future.