Life can be as complex and frustrating as a Jackson Pollock jigsaw puzzle, we may drift into a profound depression attempting to analyze the point or meaning of it all. This year of 2017 has verged on the abysmal with seemingly catastrophic changes on every level of society in the U.S. but particularly in government. The appearance of a small but entirely vicious creature on the lawn of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue initiated a surge of paroxysmal activity throughout the nation.
It has somewhat been a year of anniversaries and great discoveries - of celebrating the past in the present. Kim and David celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in August with a trip to Iceland, England and Scotland. They made new friends in Reykjavik and established and renewed actual physical contact (not via Facebook) with old ones including Dr. Edward Cooper (of Spanish fortifications fame) and Juliette Banner (the restaurateur) in London. Family was the focus of a short stay in Newcastle upon Tyne (the author’s home-town) - reestablishing links with Uncle Bob and Auntie Maureen, Christine, Jim and nephew Michael... and of course ‘Mam.’ A short tour of Scotland, in and around Edinburgh was made infinitely more pleasurable with the companionship of Deirdre Smith and Oddmar Sandvik, the rambunctious ‘Bergensere.’ We failed to reach the Holy island of Lindisfarne - but realized that often our lives are directed by forces of nature and not by human will or desire.
Kim attended her 30th College reunion at Colorado College. She continues to impart her jewelry skills to unwitting students at Aurora Community College and the Art Students League of Denver. Kim had a splendid year of business despite the recession of intellect at the highest levels of government - thankfully, we still possess talents like Kim that keep the wheels of creativity, intelligence and commerce rolling despite crap on the tracks. Meanwhile, David came to the sudden realization that he has completed 12 years of work at the Veterans Living Community Center in Aurora. He is currently in training for retirement. David continues to shun gluten as a dietary evil that threatens the clarity and sanity of the digestive tract
Hannah commenced her studies as a freshman in Hinkley High School, and discovered one of her callings in Mandarin Chinese with a potential expedition to Mongolia on the horizon. She also plays an active role in the drama and theatre society. It has been our delight to follow her sharp mind as it explores many exciting topics - for example, her reading and reflections on the novel ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ by Harper Lee. * Isabella celebrated her 17th birthday on the 17th day of 2017 (17 being the Star card (XVII) in the Tarot) - which to our mind is a fantastically magical and beneficial omen! She continues to excel in both volleyball and tennis, but also possesses a keen mind bent on achieving the topmost fruits of academic success - and perusing potential colleges when she finally graduates from high school. Her studies in psychology draw her in the possible direction of Stanford university in California. * Beatrice is in her second year at Colorado State University, after studying equine sciences she has made a radical change and decided to major in creative arts. She acquired her driving license this year, and Mario (her boyfriend) enabled the purchase of a 2004 metallic turquoise Mustang convertible that simply makes a busy student life easier.
Apart from the death of any sense of normality in the world, we say goodbye to John Hurt (actor), Adam West (the first and only true Batman), Chuck Berry and Fats Domino (musicians), Jerry Lewis (comedian/actor), Helmut Kohl (German politician), Roger Moore (actor), Robert M. Persig (writer)... and all those who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity. - Happy Holidays and Best wishes for 2018 - David, Kim, Bea, Bella and Hannah
All Rights Reserved & Copyright 2017 David John Drew, 'Lord Carville'
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