I wrote 67 posts this year. My biggest fan was my father. Unfortunately he died last month so my stats are going down for sure. We had a great celebration of life party for him this week. I think he would have enjoyed it. 

Otherwise, it looks like I read a bunch of books, went to a lot of state parks, visited a couple of museums, and almost made it to the north pole. I’m still mixed about that one. Made for some beautiful pictures, for sure.

In 2024, I’m planning on traveling more, and working on technology. This site needs work and my Etsy Shop needs work. Got me some learning to do. This was my first year of retirement and I kind of let my life slide. Spent a lot of time sleeping late, watching TV, playing games on the computer. Kind of a slug. Aha! I have a new year’s resolution! Stop being a slug….

I didn’t speak at my father’s party. But I thought about it and I think I would have told this story.

When I was about 10 or 11 we were living in Mexico…

One winter we were invited out to an hacienda in the Mexican countryside. We had a tour of the farm and afterwards we were invited to have lunch with the family (the mid-day meal is always the largest in Mexico). The owner’s son was a friend of my father’s and that made my father the guest of honor so he sat to the right of the head of the household, Don Alvaro. I think my father’s friend was the only one who spoke English and I have no idea who all the people were at the table but there were a lot of them. 

The main thing I remember eating that day was ‘cabrito’ for the first time. Cabrito is baby goat meat and it is delicious. I think we must have had soup first and then they brought out the main course. A woman came out and placed a plate in front of my father. Because he was the guest of honor he received the goat’s head – skull with eyes and brains in it. I just sat there and watched, wondering what he would do. 

He sat in silence for a few minutes looking at the thing and then he turned to Don Alvaro and said “I thank you very much for this honor but I am sure that you would appreciate this delicacy more than I” and handed over the plate. Of course Don Alvaro was thrilled and devoured the whole thing with gusto. I was amazed, but that’s the kind of guy my dad was. Always able to cope with any situation with grace and style. 

Happy New Year!

South America awaits!