What an amazing year! I will share some of my favorite images of 2019. Family, happy events, somber moments, and personal discoveries. There were instances of beautiful transformation along with challenges and pain. These are times of holding those who are dear to you,…really, really close.

I caught this amazing moment of all the grandkids looking at a sunset. They all have really grown this year! So proud of all of them!

With my wonderful Girls!

2019 moment of supreme bliss!

Grandsons Paxton & Logan joined us on an amazing journey to Thailand, Singapore, and Bali. We could not have been with better travel companions! They were super jived for each day’s itineraries and discoveries!

A long-tail boat ride on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. We booked a private tour of the Grand Palace, Wat Po, the klongs, and the Flower Market.

Standing at this spot on Icart Point on the Island of Guernsey I felt an indescribable feeling of just being alive! A brief transcendence. It was a wonderful October day with Marla, and my niece and nephew. You may already know this but my sister married her penpal and moved here many years ago. Check out this link: “A Love Story on the Island of Guernsey.“

Let me share some thoughts as I reflect on the year. I have been thinking a lot about those experiencing …PAIN. As good as our medical system is, why do have to go through so many hoops and doctors to try to find solutions? We must be our own medical advocates and it isn’t always easy! I will do my best to help those I love to suffer less.

I am continuing on a path (sometimes stumbling) toward positive transformation and increased consciousness in 2020. I want to keep being curious, imaginative, and evolving to a better self. (Never easy)

I hope to spend more time CONNECTING,…and SHARING thoughts, experiences, and ideas.

I’ve come to the somewhat counter-intuitive realization that as I’ve aged I really know much less about the world today than I once thought. It often becomes too comfortable to just stay in a media “comfort bubble” and not really go after what is actually the truth. I will not let the events & noise of the moment affect my spirit or passion.

I am running in a race. I may not have the speed or the endurance I once had, but…I’m NOT letting up!

One of the highlights of the year was spending time with my niece, Suzanne, and nephew, Steve, and their spouses, in St. Peter Port, Guernsey. It was fun visiting with my brother- in- law, Vic as well!

It was so much fun chatting about family history and stories of our earlier visits to the island!

Speaking of islands, we loved our time with my brother Gary on the Big Island!

This was one of my very favorite 2019 dinners in Marbella, Spain! Dinner was an Indian takeaway and a 7 Euro wine! Perfect!

Marla and I were in culinary heaven at the “Carmen de San Miguel, in Granada last October! We began with nice Cava and then an “olive oil” tasting, wonderful grilled vegetables, a fabulous veal chop, and a great local wine. When you add the sunset it was an 11 out of a possible 10 evening!

A somber day of remembrance.

I love this shot of the twins! They are adventurous and always uniquely stylish!

My greatest new discovery in 2019 was “Gunung Kawi Temple” deep down a river gorge in Bali. Marla and the Boys loved it as well!

On Marla’s birthday, I made her favorite dinner,…which is code for… “Saltimbocca ala Romana”,… which I picked up at a restaurant. Do I get any points for making the salad?

I had a great cycling tour of Andalusia with Trek Travel in September but my favorite day of cycling was with grandson Vaughan summiting Vail pass!

My most stylish attire for the year? The jury is still out!

Friends bearing gifts in 2019. In this case,…Champagne!!! Alex, on the right, will be bringing her own private label Champagne to the market in 2020.

2019 favorite Champagne: “Andre Clouet Rose.”

Favorite traveling companion. She is adventurous, curious, and always excited to learn more! We both loved touring Granada’s iconic “Alhambra and Generalife Gardens.”

Favorite dance performance of the year!

Marla,…finally a little relaxed!

One of the more unusual things I did this year was going out into St Peter Port in Guernsey and just soaking in the atmosphere of the town’s streets in the quiet morning. I’ve traversed these lanes many times in the past with my family. I was flooded with happy memories.

Many thanks to Patty Hansen for inviting some High School friends to her home in Kona. L – R: David, Nancy, Patty, Linda, Marla, and I.

Favorite concert: Lady Gaga in Vegas.

Favorite sunset of the year was from our back deck in July.