Los Angeles from high above Downtown!
So now as Year 2018 hits its gloamin’,
It’s time to fit my now traditional poem in!
What fun to recall as this annum now ends
All my revels and travels with family and friends!
Though taking long trips, I did this year eschew,
That doesn’t mean sights and good times were but few!
A little bit ’round California I’d roam –
But I’d also enjoy myself right close to home!
Had a marvelous time as my friend Sherry’s guest
Up in Big Bear for its raucous Oktoberfest!
Big Bear from the slopes (without snow in June)!
And Big Bear in October – Ziggy Zaggy Ziggy Zaggy Oi Oi Oi!
Though I definitely savored each brief getaway,
Loved a night tour too of my little old L.A.!
L.A..’s Chnatown!
Largely sleeping except for the odd shop and vendor,
Chinatown was alight in unique neon splendor!
Chinatown by night!
And before when I’d drive off to Vegas to play,
There were sights that I’d miss as I cruised on my way.
So I traveled a bit north and east of L.A.
To see what desert cities had there on display.
I saw towns travelers used to stop in at by train,
Or on Route 66 like the old song’s refrain.
The station in Barstow displayed trains of old;
And the Calico train took folks searching for gold!
Train ride around Calico Ghost Town!
Train cars on display near site of an old Harvey House in Barstow!
For short rides, L.A.’s Angels Flight fits the bill;
It just goes one block up and down Bunker Hill!
Historic Angels Flight takes riders between Hill Street and Grand!
L.A.’s Union Station was many’s first view
Of this city (lit up here in deep Dodger Blue!).
Union Station (appropriately lit for the World Series)!
And speaking of sports, you may tease or may mock,
But my blog’s not complete without some hockey talk!
Each year, it’s now one of my favorite things
To take Mum to see her Blackhawks take on my Kings!
As fists flew at Mum when her Hawks won the day,
I explained they were fist bumps – completely okay!
Victorious Mum masters the fist bump!
We’re such rabid fans that when planning a journey,
We make sure we’ll catch each Hawk/Kings game and tourney!
For our Thanksgiving trip, I mapped each place we’d stay
While Mum worked up her notes on when our teams would play:
Mum’s hockey schedule for the road!
We savored the sunsets on Cambria’s shore
And gave thanks for our health and our bounties galore!
We found Cambria is distant Wales’ Latin name;
We relished our stay – and missed nary a game!
Sunset in Cambria!
Since my summer Lair trip’s had its third rendition,
It’s proper to term it an annual tradition!
While my days in Pinecrest were lovely in sum,
They served too as a portent of dark days to come…
I eased into moving from urban to rural
By staying in Murphys (yes, that’s in the plural).
With good friends, I commenced quite happily to dine
On a diet of fellowship, music and wine!
Concert in the park in Murphys!
The Sierra town’s a great place to unwind –
But this year, the fates would prove rather unkind.
Smoke from fires nearby cast an ominous pall
And, alas for the West, it was not to be all.
We went on to Pinecrest despite the bad air
To keep our yearly date with Cal’s Lair of the Bear.
Pinecrest Lake in years past.
Pinecrest this year, shrouded in smoke.
And while the conditions were less than ideal,
The place still maintained all its folksy appeal!
Though viewed through a smoky, unsettling haze,
With great friends, I still recall such happy days!
My prayers go out daily to those touched by fire,
And to responders whose selflessness I so admire.
As the tragedies here in my home state have mounted,
My own blessings I have much more keenly counted.
Above all, I’m so blessed with family and friends
Whose kindness and thoughtfulness just never ends!
And I’m lucky that this year held visits in store
With so many of them – and I’m still getting more!
I’ve yet got a tea and a Christmas Eve feast,
And a monthly soiree with dear friends from just east!
And what a trip Mum and I just had up north
spending time on the coast as we went back and forth!
With decades of friends we found ourselves surrounded –
Including at church where the love so abounded!
Wish I were possessed of a much greater art
For letting them know how much they’re in my heart!
And I’m thankful to readers out there on the ‘net –
You’re friends of mine too though we just haven’t met!
That’s all the adventures I’ll pause to recount,
as the moments I cherish continue to mount!
I’ll just say as the year slips away out of sight,
Happy Holidays to all and a New Year most bright!
Cheers from Mum and me (just back from Ragged Point near Big Sur)!
TESSEROLOGY 
Amy, you’ve been busy in 2018. I enjoyed your poem! Take care.
Neil S.
Thank you very much – you take care too!
Love it!! Such a wonderful poem of your adventures. Love the fist pumps from grandma.
Thank you so much, Ms. Sarah! (And glad you like Grandma’s fist bump!)
What a great year and a wonderful poem – very cheering!
Thank you so much – very glad you enjoyed it!
I so enjoy your adventuring … especially since you say so much about your mother. I, too, am having adventures with my mom … just not as wide ranging. We take joy in dinner out at our favorite haunts and an occasional trip to the Mystery section at our local bookstore. Thanks for this lovely poem and the Merriest of Christmases!
Thank YOU so much, Jon, for reading and for the comments! Love hearing about what you and your mom get up to – and whatever the activities, it’s the time together that makes it special, isn’t it? Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas as well!
Wow! You have done so much, what a blessed year you have had & a rhyming one to! 😀
Jennifer
Yes, I feel so lucky to have had some lovely times this year! Best wishes to you for some “poetic” holidays as well!
Thank you 😀
You are very talented. I enjoyed reading your year summed up in rhyme. Merry Christmas to you and your Mum. 🙂
Aw, thank you very much and glad you enjoyed it! And a Merry Christmas to you as well!
Lovely post! Best wishes to you and yours for the best in the New Year! 💕✨🎄🥂😊
Thanks so much – and the same good wishes for the new year right back to you!
Beautiful poem…..Happy New Year.
Thank you – and a Happy New Year to you!
Happy belated New Year!
May 2019 be filled with joy, peace and fulfilment!
Keep having loads of blogging fun!
Thanks for your support!
👍🥂😃🎉
Thank you so much! And a happy, healthy, adventure-filled New Year to you!
I saw this one a bit late!!!! I can relate to going up the mountains to escape the fires – exactly what we did. But where do we go to escape the virus.
I know – it’s a tough one, isn’t it..? I actually do escape in a way through the Arts. I immerse myself in my favorite shows and plays, and find comfort in some of their stories and lines. Please take care and stay safe!
You too XX