The World at Large
Many have claimed 2016 as the worst year in human history, close to 72,000 B.C.E. when a mega- volcano erupted with the force of 1.5 million Hiroshima-size bombs on an Indonesian Island. The after-effects almost brought extinction to the human-race – but when real-estate agent and reality TV star Donald J. Trump won the presidency of the United States in November this year, after the dirtiest campaign in history, the effect was just as catastrophic. Fallout from the sheer lunacy caused mental bewilderment, shock, altered states of consciousness and screams of despair. With the U.S. officially renamed the ‘Republic of Trumpton’ – millions have become displaced political refugees wondering what the future might bring. Canadian immigration collapsed under the weight of enquiries and applications to leave the U.S. as quickly as possible.
Across the Pond things have fared no better. The U.K. collectively voted in a referendum to leave the European Union in June. In an action which has come to be known as ‘Brexit’ which could be the brand-name of a crunchy but unpalatable breakfast cereal, which may induce diarrhea and diabetes but most certainly highlights deep divisions both in British society and across Europe. The ‘break’ may be seen as a strange sort of self-mutilation through amputation. Many ordinary citizens who voted for leaving the E.U. were later reported to say, “I thought is was all a joke!” David Cameron resigned and we got our 2nd Lady Prime Minister in history, Theresa May.
Several sad deaths in 2016, including musician, David Bowie (Jan), writer Harper Lee (Feb), First Lady and actress, Nancy Reagan (March), boxer,Muhammad Ali (June), comedian, Gene Wilder (August), golfer, Arnold Palmer (Sep), and Cuban revolutionary and President, Fidel Castro (Nov), Leonard Cohen (Nov), and astronaut John Glenn (Dec). In April, the British Queen Elizabeth II turned 90 – making her one of the longest reigning monarchs in history. The U.S. earned 121 medals - 46 gold, 37 silver and 38 bronze medals in this years Summer Olympics in August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In October, the Nobel Prize in Literature 2016 was awarded to Bob Dylan "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition". We celebrated the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death, Stratford upon Avon.
The Annual Family Expedition to Taos New Mexico in June included several fascinating new discoveries including a Monastery in Abiqui, Ghost Ranch (of Georgia O’ Keefe fame), the Hacienda de los Martinez, and Red River in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains... it all ended in copious amounts of tequila and ribaldry.
David spent the spring and summer doing voluntary work for the St. Francis Homeless Shelter in Denver, was present and indeed was responsible for his first automobile collision, joined the Order of Benedictines and finished a course in ‘interfaith Conflict Resolution’ with the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Hannah has continued her involvement in creative arts and worked with her high school drama group on several projects. Since Bea’s departure she has also assumed care of Aisha and Daisy the household rats. The whereabouts of her 400 page epic novel remain unsolved but place it firmly in the category of both fantasy and mystery, which combined have created a new literary genre.
Beatrice, after graduating with honors from Aurora West, left to study full-time at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. She is studying ‘Equine Science’ as part of her plan to proceed in to a career as a veterinarian.
Kim – Attended an artistic retreat at Anderson Ranch in Snowmass, Colorado in June. In December Kim came up with the great idea of creating beautiful, hand-crafted ‘safety pins’ to celebrate our solidarity with refugees and raise money for charitable causes.
Alfred ‘Grandad’ Harrell, retired after a lifetime of service to the legal administration in Denver, Colorado as both a lawyer and judge. We all wish him a fruitful, carefree and happy future.
Beatrice, after graduating with honors from Aurora West, left to study full-time at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. She is studying ‘Equine Science’ as part of her plan to proceed in to a career as a veterinarian.
Kim – Attended an artistic retreat at Anderson Ranch in Snowmass, Colorado in June. In December Kim came up with the great idea of creating beautiful, hand-crafted ‘safety pins’ to celebrate our solidarity with refugees and raise money for charitable causes.
Isabella continues to excel at volleyball with Hinkley High School’s ‘T-Birds’ – but such a pity that the team doesn’t measure up to her sense of excellence! She came in the top twenty of her class in April, before and since she has remained a grade-A student. Bella’s Spanish tutor continues to send my cryptic text-massages that only highlight my linguistic poverty.
David spent the spring and summer doing voluntary work for the St. Francis Homeless Shelter in Denver, was present and indeed was responsible for his first automobile collision, joined the Order of Benedictines and finished a course in ‘interfaith Conflict Resolution’ with the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Hannah has continued her involvement in creative arts and worked with her high school drama group on several projects. Since Bea’s departure she has also assumed care of Aisha and Daisy the household rats. The whereabouts of her 400 page epic novel remain unsolved but place it firmly in the category of both fantasy and mystery, which combined have created a new literary genre.
Frankie has perfected the art of being the perfect Buddha dog with her faultless and ripple-free serenity, despite presenting us with several veterinarian bills earlier in the year.
The entire family is happy, healthy and hopeful for 2017!
