Seasons Greetings!

Can’t believe it’s time again to close out the year with my traditional haphazard poem! It’s an account of as many events as I can fit in (and with all their feels…), meant to be read in the style of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. So, no more prose – here it goes!

’Twas my vast good fortune throughout all this year,
To have great adventures in parts far and near!

And whether I visited mountains or canyons,
Always was I blessed with the best of companions!

The New Year began as no one would desire –
LA was afflicted with fire upon fire…

Distressing it was not to know where to turn;
But in the end, my abode wasn’t to burn.

As lives are reclaimed, to all I wish good luck,
In LA – and wherever disasters have struck…

While life approached normal, I yet found it daunting,
Since work as an extra remained rather wanting.

Though for proper jobs every day I was hopin’,
I thought why not travel? The calendar’s open…

Took quite a few trips and am lucky to boast –
I got better acquainted with each US coast!

Greeted my own Pacific with a rousing “hey”,
In Cambria, Ventura and from the East Bay!

Views toward the Atlantic were sweet to get lost in,
At Mystic, Old Saybrook and Newport and Boston!

Around some big milestones, planned my vacations –
Like retirements, birthdays and school graduations!

Friends’ nods to my birthday left naught to desire,
Wine tasted, had cake – all the good kind of “fire”!

Got to visit friend Dee in her state of Connecticut –
My first time absorbing its charming esthetic-ut!

Learned in coastal Mystic ‘bout lives bound to seas –
And discovered that lobster rolls really do please!

’Twas so kind of Dee to be sure and take pains,
In Hartford to show me the home of Mark Twain’s!

If there’s one way to go where you simply can’t lose, it’s
To travel back East and to tour Massachusetts!

Was hosted by Jen who allowed me to sample
Its food, arts and history in portions way ample!

Round the Berkshires, New Bedford and Boston we’d ride;
Jen proved a delightful and excellent guide!

Plus Newport, Rhode Island provided the stage
For breathtaking views of the late Gilded Age!

Of this glorious sojourn, I’d only complain
That I can’t turn right round and go do it again!

It’s prob’ly no secret – I love a museum!
On trips, I pop right in wherever I see ’em!

This year, had the chance to get my first-hand view
Into mills, monasteries – to name but a few!

I learned about old LA homes and their fates;
And the man who brought London Bridge here to the States!

And wait – there’s still more yet, so don’t cut your hawsers!
T’were whalers and leaders and Delaware crossers!

I loved each museum that I got to see –
Including one opened up specially for me!

A “museum” that spreads ‘cross a large swath of land
Marks the Gettysburg Battle – devastatingly grand…

It summons the past and the people who fought,
At a time when with turmoil our nation was fraught.

Such sacrifice all in the name of a place
That of, by, and for us, we yet can embrace…

Sought more US history back home in the West,
(Including more showing us not at our best…).

In Merced, found a World War II age monument,
To Yankees of Japanese family descent.

Citizens were “assembled” right there, so I learned,
Then sent off to camps where they all were interned.

It’s right to remember (not stash on some shelf) –
To ensure history doesn’t repeat itself.

In Coloma, saw where gold was found by a stream;
Learned in Placerita of The Golden Dream!

One find sparked the Gold Rush of historic lore;
But the other occurred fully six years before!

“An annual highlight” – to say so is fair –
That’s camping with friends at the Lair of the Bear!

A bit shy about going, I’d been at the start;
Now the place – and my “Goats” – are most dear to my heart!

Although it might seem that all I do is roam,
I did in fact (here and there) spend time at home!

To gather with friends, well that just can’t be beaten –
There were catch-ups, new meetings – and lots of food eaten!

In Vina, Sonoma and Yountville tried wine;
Had teas at the Huntington – proper and fine!

Dove into some food prep with one niece’s bunch,
To give some hard workers the gift of a lunch!

Judged a big chili cook-off with very fine folk;
And sampled the yummiest pizzas bespoke!

Savored drinks under oak trees, in taverns, on porches;
Midst fishing boats, Oz vibes and bright tiki torches!

Just shared Turkey Day with two dozen kind fellows –
My thanks and my love for this crew never mellows!

Yes with restaurants or pubs – or backyards – as a venue,
Good friends are the best items on any menu!

Worked yearly at TCM’s Fest way back when;
’Twas a joy to return and attend it again!

Looking up an old colleague was chiefly my mission;
Since we’ve now met twice, I shall call it “tradition”!

Caught up with some Golden Girls which was so nice!
It’s not that we’re old – just Team Gold on the ice!

What a joy to see gals from the Gold Lady Kings!
Our bond’s solid still, though I play other things.

From hockey to pickleball, I’ve done the switchin’;
Now I dink and I volley – eschewing the “kitchen”!

While such skills as required, I tried to amass,
I pursued other pastimes of culture and class!

Caught music from Sibelius to Pablo Cruz;
And at Pappy and Harriet’s, dug tunes with some booze!

Though forever my violin’s been put away,
I love catching musical chums when they play!

A friend played trombone for a fab Sondheim show,
Backing up Broadway’s best – what a treat, don’t ya know!

Kelly shone yet again singing all G&S;
And I love Metal Creamer, I freely confess!

Caught multiple plays with no speck of remorse,
By Williams and Wilson – and Shakespeare, of course!

Tried forest and sound baths at one friend’s election;
For lessons in mindfulness, peace and connection.

For me, forest bathing was the more appealing;
Expect Dear Ol’ Dad would have had the same feeling:

Though it’s years ago now since my dad passed away,
His lessons and love I do cherish each day.

To all those I’ve lost, I hope somehow they know
That they stay with me always, wherever I go…

And as down life’s roads I continue to wander,
I’m grateful for friends both at home and out yonder!

Okay – now that I’ve sent this year off to bed,
Some holiday thoughts yet remain to be said:

To you, gentle readers (some from this blog’s nascence!),
My humblest of thanks for your kindness and patience!

Though not always rhyming, but more rhyming-ish,
This poem still comes with my sincerest wish:

On the subject of life, its adventures and pleasures,
May yours overflow with most generous measures –

Of joy, fun and fellowship all in the mix,
For these holidays and 20-26!

Cheers!