Friday, December 25, 2020

Merry Christmas!

 


The image above was the collage I created for my annual Christmas letter this year (2020). Originally, I had a different concept, based on a diagram I had sketched about the relationships between the books I read and other things. But as I started to flesh that out, the idea of the Boggle board popped into my mind out of nowhere. Logically, it is an extension of the Easter greeting texts that my sisters originated.

The multi-window layout specifically reminded me of the virtual meetings conducted this year at work using Zoom (or similar) because of the Covid-19 lockdown/quarantine. The matrix format also reminded me of the technology some choirs used this year during the lockdown to create virtual choirs. Recently I was awed by Canto Católico's "Salve Regina" video (so beautiful, I cried). Overall, I thought the matrix format a good representation of this year (e.g., boxed in).

Screenshot of the Canto Católico "choir."

MX = Portrait of me from my January 1, 2020 blog post.

EX = Early in the lockdown, toilet paper was in short supply and was a significant concern. At one point, toilet paper was considered like a treasure.

RX = Zimba joined us in March. A frustrating and fascinating cat. He chewed up any paper he could find (among other things) but his ability to leap seemed to defy gravity.

RX = A selfie while walking along the Fastrak path. I was especially fascinated by the field of reeds in the wetlands behind me.

Y = A good question.

MM =  My copy of the book Little Women. I read this book and emailed daily summaries and highlights.

EM = Spots, the oldest of Lynn's three kitties. Very fragile but an affectionate and tenacious cat. At one point I thought he was near death but he was miraculously rejuvenated. He and Zimba got along surprisingly well.

RM = The dreaded Corona Virus that dominated 2020.

RM = I am fortunate to live next to an all-purpose trail that is alongside the busway. The path is 4.5 miles and I used it extensively this year. The northern half is almost like a park because it adjacent to undeveloped land. Walking here often inspired me.

MA = One April Saturday the weather was so wonderful that I was compelled to keep walking. I discovered a park with a trail around a small lake. Even outside, one could not escape the commands to "social distance."

EA = This year many people rediscovered bicycling; me too. I rode more this summer than the past 25 years combined. This selfie was taken at the northern end of the Fastrak path. By going back and forth, I could make a 10-mile ride.

RA = Carlton. The dominant of Lynn's three cats (at least until Zimba). He was generally very calm (and lazy?). In this picture, he is supervising my work.  Before Lynn left, he often slept behind the computer monitor while I worked.

RA = Richard and me. He was passing through CT and stopped by that day for a shower and a visit.

MS = My coworkers and I had a reunion (in November) to celebrate the retirement of Tony (who likes to hike). Note our social distancing (and I have my mask in case people get too close).

ES = Selfie while wearing a cloth mask (from Lynn) that makes you invincible against Covid-19 cooties - unless you don't clean it enough and wash your hands and ....

RS = My copy of The Pilgrim's Progress. I finally was able to finish Part One and am progressing through Part Two. Reading Little Women (see above) motivated me to revisit the Bunyon book (among other things).

RS = Selfie where I am wearing a jacket given to me by my sister Amy. It is actually kind of impracticable (bc it is a pullover) but it is appropriate for mild Fall weather plus I enjoy that it has an "R" on the front (sort of like the "S" on the front of Superman's costume).

-------------------------------
Links:
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2020/04/happy-easter.html
https://cantocatolico.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0YWKLNhTvE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Matrix
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2020/01/welcome-2020.html
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-holy-saturday.html
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-kitties-say-hello.html
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2020/03/barren-saturday.html
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2020/04/corona-virus-massacre.html
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2020/04/thus-saith-lord.html
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2020/04/painted-rocks-earth-day-easter.html
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2020/05/saturday-bike-ride.html
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2020/04/my-helpers.html
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2020/11/take-hike.html
------------------------------
Written Friday 25 December 2020.


No comments:

Post a Comment