It has been a very Good year! Here on the last day of November, by the fire, I watch my grown sons playing their old Super Nintendo and feel deeply grateful for the countless blessings in our lives.
Thanksgiving is over but my feeling of thankfulness is stronger now than the days leading up to the big feast. Last night I got misty eyed as I watched the family laugh and enjoy each other as we waited to pick up food at the Mexican restaurant near us. I seem to be getting more sentimental as I get older.
Below is just a brief synopsis of the various travels we have been on this year. It’s not that we enjoy traveling, but that we feel we want to take advantage of the opportunities while we can. Honestly, after every trip, as we settle back into our chairs in front of the TV, we remark how good it is to be in our comfortable home and routine. Yet, it is another blessing that we are able to visit the people and places.
Travel & Events
Christmas in SD w/ view of High Speed Rail Grade Separation
Last year, Lynda, Alex and I drove to San Diego for Christmas. Of course it was great visiting with the (let me see, how does this go? They’re Lynda’s sister’s son’s kids. Great grand-nieces/nephew?). We did a fun gift exchange and, as it got dark, we drove around looking at the various Christmas light decorated houses. On the way home, Alex suggested we stop off and see some of the construction completed for the California High Speed Rail. It was really impressive to see what’s been built in Wasco, CA.
Florida Trip in February
Then in February, we all went to Florida for a big Barbieri family gathering, the highlight of which was the bocce ball tournament. We stayed in a lovely VRBO inside the golf club where Chuck and Julie live. It was fantastic to see everyone! We got to play some golf, saw alligators, spent a day at the beach and more — truly amazing how well everyone got along, fun and laughter the entire time.
KC in April
Then in April, we went to Kansas City to visit Ricky. Got to watch him play hockey and celebrate Bindle’s (his cat) birthday with his friends David, Jesse and Emily. Of course, there were some projects, and Lynda is preparing a slideshow.
Quick Paso Trips in Jan, May and Nov
This year, we got to visit our favorite winery in Paso Robles on 3 separate occasions. Each time we got to stay at “Rivendell” (that’s what Ray call’s Patty’s house because it’s such a relaxing and enjoyable oasis for us to stay at when we pick up our wine club.)
Mother’s Day in Campbell
Graduation Ceremony in June
We celebrated Alex’s UCSC Graduation. He successfully completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with honors! This was a very fun event as it was a “mock” graduation – complete with the folding chairs in the hot sun! We made a quick video here.
Amsterdam & Danube in October
This year the “big” trip was three weeks in Europe. At the suggestion of John and Kathy Taecker, we joined them for a 10-day cruise up the Danube from Bucharest to Budapest. We went with Janet and Raymond and stopped in Amsterdam for 3 days on the way to take in the sites and get over some jet lag before we got to the cruise. Most of the excursions focused on relatively recent history — the history of the soviet breakup. We were embarrassed at how much of that history we’d forgotten despite it being during our lifetime!
Philly in October
After returning from Europe, we scheduled one week to recharge and do laundry, and then we were off to my brother Jay’s house in NJ to help he and Debbie get started on the move to their new house in PA! We set up the wireless network and the home theater and helped organize the new kitchen as well as moving a few things with each commute from the old house.
Thanksgiving in Campbell w/ full house
Janet, Raymond, Emily and their three kids: Elizabeth, Alexander and Josephine came up from San Deigo. Ricky came in from KC and we all had a big Thanksgiving day feast with everyone contributing a dish or helping with prep or cleanup. Truly a joy to have the youngsters around. The constant talking was reminiscent of days gone by.
We also went to a Sharks game.
Arts
Lynda continues to sew, knit, quilt, cook and garden.
Together we are still on the board of a ballroom dance club, go to dances at least once a month along with practice weekly with Tod and Rhonda and John and Kathy. We also get lessons roughly once a month from Lesley McIntosh.
Ok. Well, winemaking might not technically be considered an art but seems a good a place as any to mention that Ray still makes wine with the five guys. This year’s Zin is quite good and getting rave reviews from friends who probably would say anything to get free wine.
Before the porch project, Ray was working on his blues guitar. He regularly supports the Sunday morning service with either drums or technical help.
Conclusion
We pray that this letter finds you in good cheer and may you enjoy the kind of blessed life we had this year.