2021

Highlights of 2021

JANUARY: We left St. Joseph County! Taking advantage of some work-from-home flexibility, we spent two weeks on the road, visiting Asheville, Charleston, and Savannah. Most of the time was spent working from our AirBNBs, but at least it was a change of scenery. We brought a little bit of home with us to Tybee Island, Georgia, which experienced a lovely cold, dreary week during our beach stay. Here we are pictured outside Biltmore Estate. It's no 824 LWE, but it seemed nice enough for a vacation home.

FEBRUARY: Rather than letting COVID force us into isolation for five months, Kyle decided this would be the winter of doing things outdoors. Katie was sort of on board with that plan. There was plenty of snow for our first try at cross country skiing, and our Valentine's Day dinner at Howard Park was frostbite-free.

MARCH: The last day of March was perhaps the happiest of the year; we located a vaccination appointment on our first day of eligibility.

APRIL: We experienced live music for the first time in over a year! Notre Dame got creative with the venue to make possible a concert production of Jesus Christ Superstar. A more 'seasoned' rhythm section was assembled to anchor the student orchestra, and an old drummer was called out of the bullpen to relive his glory days in ND Stadium.

MAY: Those who have followed the health journey of Kyle's mom over the last 18 month will understand that seeing her up and doing housework (on Mother's Day) was a blessing. In recent weeks she has been spotted outdoors with a rake and behind the wheel of a car!

P.S. It is a little known fact that dogs can get their learner's permit on their thirteenth birthdays, two years earlier than humans.

JUNE: We continued a budding tradition of spending our anniversary at Mackinac Island, earlier location of our quick honeymoon. Katie is smiling at this horse even though it almost threw her when spooked by hedge clippers. Pierce was feeling a bit under the weather, so Little Buddy made the trip in his place.

JULY: After an evening concert at Ravinia -- yay, live music -- we viewed the Chicago skyline from a new perspective.

AUGUST: August brought one of our more primitive adventures, for which Kyle begged and Katie tolerated in order to quiet him.

SEPTEMBER: This year's Labor Day Extravaganza coincided with Notre Dame's opener, which was enjoyed in our yard on a 24-foot screen. We learned that hiring a taco wagon is significantly easier than trying to prepare all the food in our kitchen. Next year's party is on Sunday, September 4, 2022. We hope to see you there!

OCTOBER: Living on a busy road usually results in a dismal single-digit turnout of trick-or-treaters. But this year we more than doubled our prior record, with over 20 costumed guests, not including the good doctor.

NOVEMBER: Not quite ready to pack thirty-some Chamberlins indoors on Thanksgiving, we opted for a harvest meal. The Saturday before our gathering, it was 65° and sunny. The Saturday of our party, the high was 39° and it rained most of the day. But with some campfires, patio heaters, and a fair amount of self-produced hot air, we enjoyed our first holiday together since 2019.

DECEMBER: Katie's dad decamped for warmer surroundings in 2020, and we finally got a chance to visit him for a late Thanksgiving/early Christmas. While in the Phoenix area, we hiked Camelback Mountain, rendering Katie particularly enthused.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse