Bye-bye 2016…
It seems most of my friends have slammedย the door on 2016, so so soooooo ready to see it end. And I understand why. No matter which side of the aisle you claim, the election turned out to be a hot mess. And sorry 2016, but aย year that snatchedย Professor Snape, Merle Haggard, and Mrs. Bradyย but gave us a triple doseย of Donald Trump? Well, that’s harsh. ?
For those around my age, the loss of these particular folks hit particularly hard. We know exactly where we were when we saw Princess Leia in the original Star Wars movie (Blytheville, ArโMalco Theater) or heard Prince sing about his little red corvette (Baylor Universityโoh those college years). These deaths strike a sensitive nerveย because these artistsย occupied aย part of our lives, our culture, our time. And many of them aren’t that much older than we are.
In fact as I sit here drinking my coffee, George Michael was younger than I (gulp-breathe-sigh).
But…
Even with all the nastiness, 2016 was a fantasticย year for me both personally and professionally. I checked off my numeral unoย bucket list item! In case you have stumbled upon my blog for the first time, 2016 was the year I became a published author.
And yes, I’m still talking about it.
A few of my 2016 highlights…
(personal, professional, in no particular order)
- Seeing the Texas bluebonnets in full bloom. (My daughter broke her ankleโnot goodโbut I spent a week with her in Austinโvery good.)
- My visit to Apalachicola, Florida. Those oysters. The people I met. Super memorable.
- Seeing Hamilton on Broadway with my sister and niece.ย Fabulousness.
- Getting so many Amazon reviews. I never expected such feedback. Thank you readers! (whyย yes, you can still do a review…)
- Connecting with blog readers at book signings. I’m talking about you Beth W. and Anita S. and others.
- Ourย annualย family lake trip.
- Seeing my college roommate (a few days ago).
- My high school reunion in Wilson. Go Colts! Simply put, there are no friends like old friends.
- Fredericksburg, Texas after Thanksgiving and some serious good eatsย at Vaudeville.
- Watching This is Usย on NBC.ย Yes, I love this show so much that it made my highlight list. Go watch now so we can discuss please.
- Hemingway-Pfeiffer in November. This was aย particularly great writing retreat with fabulous mentor, Andrea Hollander.
- I was on theย THV11ย Little Rock morning show and interviewed on My Journey of Faith radio.
- My sister visited forย Halloween!
- I stood whereย Elvis stood. That was a hunka-hunka fun.
- Winning two gold medals for my book. Huzzah.
- Our daughter graduated from UT Law School and passed the Texas bar! #lawyeredup
- Seeing so many butterfliesย in my garden. ?
- John’s amazing meatloaf! Not kidding. I can give you testimonials if need be.
- Having the whole family together for Christmas.
- Being invited to so many book clubs where Gracie Lee was being discussed, AND the amazing fact that everyone created food from the book and decorated withย Delta flair! #BlownAway
2016 Top Blog Posts (in case you missed them or want to revisit, share, etc.) because that’d be another highlight for me!
10. Persimmon Seed Predictions
9. ย Baylor Football
8. ย ย Book Launch Eve
7. ย Those Childhood Friends
6. ย Decorate with Farm Flair
5. ย The Purple Ribbon
4. ย 1000th Blog Post & Book Signing News
3. ย Dallas Sniper Attack
2. ย RIP Friend
1. ย ย I Toured American Greetings
[tweetthis]My top ten blog posts for 2016. What a mixed bag of fun, farm flair and real life! #HappyNewYear[/tweetthis]
In addition to all the goodness wovenย throughout my year, several of my friends just had babies, grandbabies, or they areย expecting little ones in 2017.ย This sort of news always softensย the losses, doesn’t it?
My children (who aren’t children) are thriving in their careers and lives. Yay. That does a mother good.
My mom and several family members had health scares earlier in the year but everyone seems okay now. Thank goodness!
I’ve learned lotsย of things about lotsย of things including and especially book marketing.
I’m excited for 2017 and looking forward to what the year brings. I do love a clean fresh slate. How about you?
Happy New Year and beย safe tonight,
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
โญComing next week (next year)โmyย One Little Word for 2017!โญ
[tweetthis]I’m recapping 2016! The year that snatched Princess Leia and Professor Snape & gave us Donald Trump. #HappyNewYear[/tweetthis]
Musical Pairing:
Little Red Corvette, Prince
Well said……2016 was a very good year.
It was a very good year! Let us revel in the good, learn from the hard times and just LOVE one another.
I agree Stephanie! Thank you for being part of it.
You did have what one might call a magical year, but I know all the work that went into making those things happen. Well done and congratulations. May 2017 be full of more goodness.
Kiss-Kiss -Hug-Hug!