It's hard to know where to start with 2020. It certainly wasn't the year that anyone expected. We made the most of it, though, because really - what else can you do?
While I haven't written on my blog, I did do some writing this year, and had articles published in Chicken Soup for the Soul - The Magic of Dogs, All Creatures Magazine (Nov/Dec issue), and Backwoods Home Magazine (Nov/Dec issue).
Cort and Reid graduated from elementary school in May - they did a drive thru graduation and it felt a little bittersweet that their elementary school, which Pierce started in Pre-K, would no longer be a part of our lives. One of the biggest changes this year brought for us was that we decided to homeschool the boys for the 20/21 school year. It was a little terrifying to pull them out of school, but it's been going well, and they seem to like it. Depending on how things are going with the pandemic, perhaps they will be able to return to public school next year.
Paul and the boys built a tiny cabin on our land. I even helped a few times! They hewed all the wood from fallen trees on our land. They are hoping to build another at some point. This one has three bunk beds inside it. It was still in progress in this picture.
In 2020 I read 173 books (it was a great year for reading). A few favorites include Why We Sleep, Running with Sherman, Caravan (Dorothy Gilman), The Adventures of Robin Hood (Roger Lancelyn Green), The Thing About Jellyfish, Wolf Hollow, Around the World in 80 Days, The Cook and the Gardener, Boy's Life (Robert R. McCammon) and The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street.
I ran 1051 miles this year. This was up from the previous couple of years in which I struggled so much with Lyme, but still not at my typical mileage of 1200+. I'm still getting there - but was happy to break a thousand miles this year!
I had a decent garden this past year. I just yesterday picked some kale - I have a few greens left (but not many). I've already ordered seeds for 2021 and am eager to see what the growing season will bring.
Kids and animals are all doing well. I hope if you're reading this, that all in your family are also well, and that your 2021 is happy and healthy!
