2018 has been a fascinating year of discoveries, new connections, a few challenges, and transformations.  I am aware more than ever the importance of being around those you love.  I will continue to question, explore, and to seek the truth in all forms, never an easy task in these days of obfuscation.  I’ve assembled an album of the year’s most personally iconic events.

MAY 2019 BE A MOST HEALTHY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The saddest event was the passing of my Mom in February at age 98. She is pictured on the right at her sister’s home. She was an amazing, loving woman, politically engaged, progressive to the core, and a smiling friend to all. She loved being around her family. She loved movies and mysteries on TV. I have so many people to thank, especially Marla, who helped  get her apartment sorted. It was quite a project!

The grandsons gather to look pictures of their “Gigi” at a life ceremony.

A favorite 2018 day was picking up the Girls from Kindergarten.

Happy times with the family in 2018.

…..What I’m listening to: Arcade Fire, Anderson .Paak, M83, Middle Kids, Coldplay, War On Drugs, John Coltrane, Erik Satie.

.….What I’m watching on TV: CB Strike, My Brilliant Friend,The Little Drummer Girl, The Bodyguard, The new Doctor Who, Patrick Melrose, Anthony Bourdain episodes, Berlin Station, Succession.

The best event of the year was celebrating a big wedding anniversary with Marla in Beaver Creek.

Getting our Denver warehouse ready to sell was really difficult both physically and emotionally! I’ve NEVER seen Marla work so hard weeks on end.

We both cried when we sold the Wesco Fabrics’ Denver building. We spent so much of our lives working here.

2018 sublime moment…..watching a sunset with Marla.

Arrival for a concert at the Ford Amphitheater in Vail. The best!

…..What I’m reading: Washington Black, The Leopard, The Spy and the Traitor. 

…..Movies: A Star is Born, Crazy Rich Asians, The Isle of Dogs, The Post, and soon, Roma.

A great 2018 discovery…Menton on the Cote d’Azur in France.

A great 2018 discovery: Edinburgh.

A great 2018 discovery: Agrigento in Sicily. 

…..What keeps me up at night: Chaos is Washington. My fear of our citizens not hearing/seeing/reading “real” news instead of what some in power try to “package” as news. Democracy only exists with a free press, unhindered by attacks by people who just don’t “like”… actual “facts”.

It was wonderful visiting my brother Gary and nephew Kekoa on the Big Island.

We attended a college reunion at the University of the Pacific and Marla’s sorority house. It was on this same Delta Gamma staircase where I first saw her on a blind date! It was like a lightening bolt hit!

One of the best 2018 dinners was at “Mirazur” in Menton France with friends Kathy and Philippe Auzas. It was voted the 3rd best restaurant in the world.

One of the years’ favorite days was with our good friend Lea Isetti in San Francisco.

Possible 2019 career option…become a full-time sunset photographer.

Another possibility for 2019 is to offer shopping services for people at markets, bakeries, and wine shops. I feel particularly suited to such tasks. Must be in France or Italy of course!

My favorite 2018 day of cycling was with my daughter Stacy! She once was a sponsored triathlete and made the “World Championships” on Madeira Island Portugal but hadn’t been on a road bike in many years. I almost fell over when she said she wanted to ride up Vail Pass with me. She still is formidable!  

Happy 2018 moment to celebrate a week bike tour in Sicily!

2018 favorite pastime…wandering.

We loved our trip to Edinburgh to see my nephew Steven and his wife Karen, and my niece Suzanne and husband Chris from Guernsey. We also loved connecting with my nephew Mika & family, aunt and cousins in California, and old friends.  

We traveled near and far: 
Sicily, Scotland, Tuscany, Rome, Cote d’Azur, Maui, Big Island, Carmel, Monterey, Cote d’Azur, Dallas, Vail, Rome, Sonoma County,…but nothing compares to the Bay Area where I was born and raised! 

If you need to reach me in 2019 I’ll probably be in…my office.

 WISH YOU ALL A MOST HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND TRANSFORMATIVE NEW YEAR. WE CAN DO THIS…TOGETHER! 

Photos: Dick Gentry