A lot of things in 2024 made a lot of people unhappy, but I was generally not in that group.
1. What did you do this year that you'd never done before?
Met the parents of my kid's girlfriend. Then he got a new one. I haven't met the new set.
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Ha! I did! I lost weight! Gonna try to keep it up in 2025.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No, and I am grateful. One nephew I see once a year became a dad; that was it.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not close to me emotionally, but there was a pretty grisly murder-suicide in town—committed by the guy who gave me my ring finger tattoo—that bummed out a lot of folks.
5. What countries did you visit?
As usual, just this one.
6. What would you like to have in the new year that you lacked this year?
OMG, we got the new siding asked for in 2024! Let's see if the wishing here is effective: In the new year, I'd like to have a kid who better manages his finances and grades. Hahahaha, serves you right, Young Prince!!
7. What date from the year will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I should excise this question since I never answer it, but I keep thinking maybe something will stick.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Meeting new people and not alienating all of them instantly.
9. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Only age-related aches and pains.
10. What was the best thing you bought?
The answer is always travel. Phoenix; Myrtle Beach and the Biltmore; Vegas for SC football and reunion; New Orleans and Sarasota. And the siding is pretty nice, as was replacing the completely rotten wall before the house fell down.
11. Whose behavior merited celebration?
I try to believe that all good behavior merits celebration. I guess Stackpole Books, for taking JB's book for publication.
12. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
More depressed than appalled—the person who told me to fuck off when I tried to be nice after the election.
13. Where did most of your money go?
Same as last year: the house, travel, tuition.
14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Traveling with JB, like always. I must be getting older, because Christmas did not excite me as much this year.
15. What song will always remind you of this year?
Santa Claus Is Smoking Reefer, performed by the Squirrel Nut Zippers in St. Louis.
16. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? I keep waiting to plateau on happiness, and I'm always delighted when I keep getting happier instead.
ii. thinner or fatter? THINNER!!
iii. richer or poorer? As I told friends at New Year's, I don't ACT rich, I AM rich. In so many ways.
17. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Writing. Spending time outdoors.
18. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Fretting and sliding down social media rabbit holes.
19. How (did) you spend Christmas?
Party at our house the 14th; the kid brought his girlfriend home Dec. 16; Christmas Eve with JB's family at my niece KC's house; Christmas at my mom's.
20. Did you fall in love?
This one remains an established daily tradition since 1998. And like every year, this was the best year yet.
21. What was your favorite TV program?
Yellowstone ended with a bit of a whimper, but it kept me interested. JB got back into Dexter and watched the spinoffs, which more or less allowed me to forgive the awful last episode of the original series.
22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't hate anyone, but I am doing a better job of distancing myself from folks who disappoint me.
23. What was the best book you read?
Ha. I read a LOT of bad books trying to find a way to write a good "women's" book. But I also finally got around to Andrew Roberts' bio of Churchill, and that was EXCELLENT.
24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Postmodern Jukebox!
25. What did you want and get?
Siding, and by extension a house that won't fall down.
26. What was your favorite film of this year?
Dune 2 was pretty great, although I wasn't as dazzled as the kid was. Argylle was better than people said. Megalopolis was interesting but I do not need to see it again.
27. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 53. Had a great steak dinner in Bloomington.
28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Finishing my novel. But I'm hoping that is what 2025 is for!
29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept this year?
I've found what works. Mostly sundresses, a sort of Western undertone. I bought my first pair of cowboy (cowgirl?) boots and they are UHmazing!
30. What kept you sane?
Getting off social media before the election. Trying to hold the line on my work hours.
31. What political issue stirred you the most?
I maintain my refusal to be stirred by that stuff anymore. It's become SEP.
32. Who did you miss?
I dug up some information that really made me wish my grandfather was still alive and could explain to me.
33. Who was the best new person you met?
The Saunders family—including the dogs!
34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned:
It is possible to scale back a friendship to a polite acquaintance-ship rather than just noping out of there entirely.
35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Those who know will whisper when they see us walking, "There's a love that's always meant to be."
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