2021 was full of family and friends–mostly nearby (only travelled to VA/DC and an international trip to Toronto) trying to be COVID safe. Got lots of kid fixes, explored gardens, parks, and beaches, trips to Star Island, a whale watch, volunteered at the community soup kitchen and a Fish CSA, and enjoyed my friend’s COVID puppies–and more!
Each year I agonize and procrastinate, and then enjoy going through my photos and diary remembering, and reliving my year and what it brought me. And of course, I enjoy sharing it–so get a cuppa tea/your favorite beverage and let me know what you think!
In January I spend quite a bit of time at the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge in Wells, ME with the hope of submitting a winning photo for their Sense of Wonder Art Contest. Actually, I won the January competition with this photo!
Spent lots of time with Pascal this year–we enjoyed playing in the snow, and with a row of pinwheels in the neighborhood (of course, I had to buy him one of his own)
Valentine’s Day walk with Manasi and Lili (Grandma Rodica back home with Aria). And Lila presented me with balloons she picked out!
In April, Hilary got her new COVID puppy–adorable “Pemi,” short for Pemigewasset (River & Wilderness in NH)
To Deer Isle for Malachi’s 7th Birthday.
Back home to babysit for Aria with my friend Sally.
Pascal’s brother, Soren Gale Bailey, born on April 16th–my newest great grand nephew!
Trip to DC/VA to help Judy and sail with Eric.
Spring color in New England–Katie’s lilacs, Aunt Jo’s poppies, and Bev’s rhodies.
You might remember that in 2020 I was a mentor in our church’s Coming of Age program. Here’s Gracie (my mentee) and me after the Coming of Age ceremony in the spring. What an amazing experience for me, and such an important program for the 8th graders.
Summer fun with Pascal and Soren.
Spent some of my summer days at the Nooney Farm, here in Kittery, now protected by the Kittery Land. Trust. The perfect location for the Roots Program for children under 5–I couldn’t resist helping out there and taking photos!
Robbin, who still lives in Mexico, came for a fun visit–we picked strawberries, ate lobster, and caught up on our lives.
June is my week on Star Island at Natural History Week. So wonderful to be back after COVID kept us off the island last summer. Janet, Carol G (new to Star) and I kayaked over to Smuttynose on a beautiful blue sky day!
Janet & I got off the boat from Star and headed to Dover Honda to trade in my 10-year-old Prius for a new Honda Insight (Hybrid)! Then we visited my church’s annual Pocket Garden tour, and the next day I was a garden sitter at this beautiful garden.
I continue to help at our local community soup kitchen (Table of Plenty)–we often get meals from local restaurants (thanks to COVID $$), and people drive up to pick up their meal, rather than eating together (wonder when that will be able to continue).
Other volunteer gig this year is with NH Community Seafood (a fish CSA). My friend Cathy and I switch off Fridays, and hand out fish to the folks who order it. We get free fish as payment! Usually white fish, e.g haddock, cod, etc, and there is usually a shellfish option, e.g, crabs, lobster, scallops, etc. Yum!
Cathy also has a beautiful garden–both veggies (which she generously shares) and flowers!
On July 11th, my little sister, Bev, turned 70–great excuse to celebrate! Here are photos of us three sibs, the cookies that were a cake, and three generations.
Next drove up to Levant (near Bangor, ME) for my brother’s family reunion–as usual, I was the official photographer. The scavenger hunt winners trooped around in the rain and all deserved to win!
Back home I got together at York Harbor with my circuit training mates, then did a photo op with Jackie and her grand daughters.
Back to Star Island with Julia for a day trip to volunteer in the marine lab.
My cousin Diane sadly passed away in July. From Diane’s house I was gifted a portrait of our great grandmother–quite a treasure!
My 70th birthday gift to my sister was lunch at Pickity Place–it included a set meal, Red Riding Hood’s grandmothers house, and a beautiful garden.
I get to spend time most weekends with my friend Joan (best friend from high school) and her husband David–we never run out of things to do and talk about. They share a duplex with their daughter and family. Here’s granddaughter Betty who is an amazing actress/singer!
I work with three amazing women at Natural Start Alliance (Christy, Emily, & Kit). I must include mention of them.
First, Kit Harrington, was blessed with a second son Sylvan born Aug 14.
Then in August, Christy, long time friend and colleague, came up from FL with her beautiful daughters, Parker & Maddie. We went for a boat ride on the Gundalow, and enjoyed the gardens at Prescott Park (plus ate lobster, ice cream, and other delectables!).
And on Sept 9, Emily & Andy finally got married–they waited more than a year due to COVID.
Back to those precious boys, Pascal & Soren. In Iate August Pascal started at a nature preschool–I was thrilled, of course! Be sure to read his first day plaque (what he wants to be when he grows up).
More family fun: cousin Carol from NY came for a visit and the eldest of each of the 3 families (grandchildren of my paternal grandmother) got our photo with Aunt Jo, the current matriarch. Then I drove up to Harpswell, ME to spend time with cousins Joel & Jim. They had sold their house, and only a few weeks later they would leave their beautiful coastal home and head west for unknown adventure–new address Nowhere Creek!
On the way home, stopped to visit college friend Mary & her husband Chuck, who have moved here from PA. Chuck is an amazing gardener.
In early September, Eric and daughter Phaedra came for a visit (celebrating his 75th bday). So much fun hanging out with his stepson Ryan and family and visiting Fort Foster. The next day, I took Ryan’s family to Star Island to help in the marine lab and help release the sea life back into the ocean.
This fall, had two visits to Bedrock Gardens in Lee, NH. First with Joan, her friend Sue, and my sister Bev. Then with Hilary. It was first visits for Joan, Sue, and Hilary. So fun to share this amazing garden with them all.
Back in Kittery, we had a Democrats Picnic with Shenna Bellows, who is ME’s first woman Speaker of the House and my Star friends, Carole & Ralph’s daughter-in-law. Also the Thunderbirds came to Portsmouth and I found a perfect spot for photos (thanks to Ryan & Lindsay).
Then, my only international trip of 2021, in mid Sept I flew to Toronto to stay with CJ and Michael in their new house in Cabbage Town. So worth the crazy COVID travel complications! They took me to the St. Lawrence market, the dog fountain, the CN Tower, and more. A definite highlight was the night Michael served an amazing many-course Indian dinner with friends Vanessa, Belle and Sandy.
Back home to hang out with Manasi’s mom and dad (Padmaja and Shrikant), and then a whale watch with Hilary, Julie, and Jody. We saw 3 humpback whales who totally entertained us for a long time, but the seas were high and rough, so no photos of the whales (sorry!). Also had a lovely lunch with my sisters.
At the end of September, Cliff & Pat from St Paul, MN, came to stay. Cliff is a flying friend, and my ex-husband, Pat and I flew them back from MA to MD from their wedding so many years ago. We went to the beach and gardens and much much more.
In October, Nate and Kate held a pig roast at their new house/farm in Whitefield, ME–fun event and beautiful home!
Lots more to do in fall. Certainly enjoyed the foliage (although it was later than usual) and helped staff a table at the Kittery Farmer’s Market to share info about the new Kittery Climate Action Now. I’m thrilled to be a member of this group, taking local actions to combat climate change (we raffled off three compost bins–Lily Watts helped me). Also a lovely walk with Manasi and girls at Rogers Park. Then lunch with Kody & Kerry (celebrated Kerry’s birthday).
Fall trip to DC/VA to help Judy–she got a new adorable black lab COVID puppy, and I helped (sorta) Murphy get used to her new home. She loved the lobster I gave her!
Two more trips to Whitefield to help with Pascal and Soren. And enjoy their new kittens, Jackcat and Walter.
Thanksgiving at Joan & David’s and Abbi & Rick’s–so delicious!
Experienced the Nutcracker with Manasi & fam–Lila was a dancing doll. Then Manasi and Lila came to church with me for our Christmas Pageant–Lila was an angel! Will she grow up to be a dancing actress?
My sister and I switch off on Wednesdays helping Aunt Jo now–here’s a favorite photo taken in early Dec. So wonderful to spend this time with her. And she gifted her Bailey nieces and nephews the baskets she has made over the years–here’s mine! Another treasure!
Winter walk with Claudia at Ocean Park, ME, and we visited the walkway decorated by Kittie years ago–lovely memorial to her!
Fun with December birthdays and the holidays to round out the year. Viewed the Kittery Christmas parade at Ryan & Lindsay’s, with their daughter Ayla leading the middle schoolers. Celebrated December birthdays with Hilary, Janis, Julia (and Mike), and Jody at Hilary’s house. Christmas Eve: a walk on Crescent Beach, then dinner at Jenn Seavey’s with her sister and dad–and Indian take-out from Tulsi’s. Christmas Day did an Airbnb Virtual experience–a travel trip to Columbia with Janet and Judy (the map shows the diverse areas we visited). And bringing in the new year, had another virtual Airbnb experience making Masala Chai tea in India with Janet and Galle. If you can’t travel, this is second best!
Happy Happy 2022 to each and everyone of you! Thanks for your love, friendship, cards, calls, emails, and Facebook posts. Sending lots of love back. And don’t forget to look for beauty in each day.
Betty O
PS If I forgot to mention you, please forgive!
Hilary’s son, Skyler, is a music agent, so he got us front row (sorta) tickets to a concert in Portland, ME that he helped to coordinate for “Mercy Me.” I’d never heard of them, but they are a well known Christian music band–and really good!
In April I chose a sit spot! This is a place outside where you sit (same place each day) for 20+ minutes, and just sit and observe–you can journal what you see and hear. I sat on my deck and it was so wonderful to just observe what happens in my backyard. Did it for the month of April and it really grounded me in what was happening in my back yard and neighborhood.
On St. Patrick’s Day I taught myself how to make a “Black and Tan.”
In July, Manasi, Andrea, and Lila asked me to take a family portrait before the baby was born (in August).
Olivolo Originals 