New Year, New Knee!

On December 10, my crumbly right knee was totally replaced with a better model. Three weeks later it feels terrific! I am so thankful to all my family and friends for helping me limp through the last six months and keeping me well-fed and well-occupied ever since the surgery. Quail Ridge Chorus members brought me delicious food and many smiles until my children and grandchildren arrived sequentially over the holidays with more wonderful meals and great company. Steve, as ever, was my strongest supporter. To me, this puzzle Lilli brought is an example of working together through ups and downs to produce colorful, intricate beauty.

What was lacking this year was for me to express annual greetings. I have really appreciated the cards so many of you sent. They inspired me to exercise my new knee by walking to our mailbox everyday. By-passing the US Postal Service, please accept this blogpost as my way of communicating Happy New Year to All! 

On December 30, Sean and Thomas flew back to Houston; Lilli and Violet returned to Boston. We had a very quiet New Year’s Eve with dear friends and with Shelby and Stephen Eidson, who stayed to make sure I was self-sufficient (and so Stephen could play more golf). They will begin their drive back to Austin on Saturday, January 4.

Here’s a look back at the many good times we had in 2024.

On December 22 Lilli and Violet were the first family members to arrive. They went right to work putting up the Christmas tree, wrapping packages, and planning meals.

Earlier in December, I had played piano for a Christmas Sing-Along when our Club’s Christmas tree was lit and for the Children’s Christmas Pageant at our church in Delray Beach. Lilli and I enjoyed playing Christmas piano duets together for the nine days she and Violet were here..

Leslie, David, Margot and Nina Smith joined their siblings and cousins for two days of Christmas fun on December 26. We had celebrated Thanksgiving with them at their home in Coral Gables, where they hosted a big crowd with many Spanish speakers (1000 days of DuoLingo helped me converse in Spanish only a bit).On November 16, a gorgeous evening with a full moon in the sky, Steve was one of the speakers at an event that attracted 1,100 people to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our Quail Ridge Club. Grandson Stephen was with us that night, having flown in from Austin to play in a High School golf tournament nearby that weekend.

Another celebration we took part in was the 125th Anniversary of Cherrydale United Methodist Church on October 6 in Arlington, Virginia. We enjoyed staying with Gay & Bill Yelverton and seeing many old friends from our 38 years of Cherrydale membership.

Accounts of our summer and fall adventures in Colorado, Texas, Arkansas, South Carolina, New York, Scotland, and Spain can be found by browsing this website from June through October. In 16 different airports during those months, I gained new respect for the assistance provided for handicapped travelers. One vivid memory is my twin granddaughters taking turns pushing my wheelchair through El Prado and the Royal Palace in Madrid! Now I’m back to walking without any assistance!

LOVE AND BEST WISHES TO ALL FOR A HAPPY 2025!