2014: the year where nothing went as planned. I know that’s pretty much every year, but this year… wow.<\/p>\n
It started off with my book being published<\/b><\/a> (and thanks to all of you that bought it).<\/p>\n Early in the year, I found out my ethnic ancestry<\/a>, which was super fascinating. I also found out I had an ancestor named Henchcliff Higginson, and feel the need to write a novel using that name.<\/p>\n I paid $300 to get not-my-cat Gray Max repaired after a nasty fight<\/a> with a raccoon- and that’s when I knew he was pretty much my cat<\/a>.<\/p>\n At long last came the third season of Sherlock<\/i>, the first episode of which I got to watch with the fabulous Lee Family.<\/p>\n A certain religious group decided I was worthy of doing workshops at their annual conferences on Pennsylvania and Canada in the Spring. Yes, a RELIGIOUS group. The highlight of the USA trip was seeing Philadelphia, eating, them puking, a cheesesteak with my friend Ann L. from my theatre days, watching UK in the final four with my book co-author and then the final in the bar of an Italian restaurant in the heart of Amish country (who knew?), and spending a day and evening with Michael S<\/a>, from my WKU days, and his partner, George, in beautiful Lewes, Delaware. The highlight of the Canada trip was almost being turned away at the border – that’s never happened to me before!<\/p>\n And all that is a nice way to start the year!<\/p>\n But then came the sadness. And it just kept coming.<\/p>\n In January, I spent my last day ever with my dear friend Anne Marino<\/a>, with whom I’ve been friends with for most of my adult life. She passed away three months later. I think about her so often… I miss her terribly.<\/p>\n In May, I lost my former co-worker and forever friend Michael DeLong<\/a>, who died suddenly in Seattle. I almost email him once a month.<\/p>\n I mourned the loss of Robin Williams<\/a> as much as I did my friends. I still can’t believe he’s gone.<\/p>\n But hardest of all in 2014: the loss of my incredible paternal grandmother<\/a>, who I’ve written about again and again, and our heart-breaking last weekend with Albi<\/a>. Our house is so empty without her.<\/p>\n I thought the highlight of 2014 would be our spectacular two-week June motorcycle trip through Utah and Nevada<\/a> – 2989 miles \/ 4810.329 kilometers, even including my first wreck!<\/a> It was an amazing adventure, one we needed BADLY.<\/p>\n But then, out of the blue, while we celebrated Germany’s World Cup victory (oh, that Brazil game!!!) came the offer to work in Ukraine for nine weeks<\/a>. Still can’t believe it. And, of course, how could I be in Ukraine and not go to Chornobyl<\/a>?<\/p>\n This was followed by a magical trip with Stefan to Dublin, Ireland<\/a>, a visit in Germany (so great to see Lis, Carrie and Rita!), my first ever trip to Warsaw, Poland<\/a>, and, at LONG last, a visit to Barcelona!<\/a> (I’ve been trying to go there for more than a year and a half!)<\/p>\n Back in the USA in the Fall, my big issue was dealing with the animals left before when my neighbor died<\/a>. I also worked to prepare Washington, County ballots in the November elections (there was an official video, where you could see me working – but it’s gone now…). Sadly, because of the election work, I missed the ceremony for Stefan’s promotion to full-fledged volunteer firefighter.<\/p>\n